Lincrusta-Walton (England)

Significant urban growth during the late nineteenth century led authorities to question whether appropriate sanitary measures were being taken to safeguard people’s well-being. On the domestic front, this raised concerns about the safety of wallpapers due to the fact they could not be cleaned. Until 1934, wallpapers were printed with water-soluble colors where washing would smear pigments.

For this reason, critics claimed wallpapers harbored germs and were unsanitary. Additionally, many homeowners and landlords did not remove old wallpapers before applying a new one, allowing multiple layers of old papers to build up on the wall. This practice was strongly condemned by the sanitation commission of New York City, which in the 1890s included a measure in the Tenement House Bill stating only one layer of wallpaper may be on the walls at a time.

Manufacturers had begun searching for formulas for washable papers in the 1850s but did not find a feasible solution until the 1870s, with intaglio prints. These designs were printed in oil colors using engraved copper rollers, which created a very smooth surface that could be wiped clean. Varnished tile papers were also introduced as a sanitary option; however, no wallcoverings on the market matched the sanitary qualities of Lincrusta-Walton (Lincrusta). Impermeable to moisture and completely waterproof, it could be scrubbed with soap and water. Created in England in 1877 by Frederick Walton, the inventor of linoleum, Lincrusta contained oxidized linseed oil and wood pulp, among other materials. The name linum—flax, from which linseed oil is obtained, and crusta—meaning relief. It was based on the linoleum formula already known for its water-resistant and washable properties. Lincrusta applied these same qualities to the wall adding a relief surface, created by running the pulp under rollers that embossed the surface. Lincrusta was produced in several shades of tan and brown, and could be left in its natural state or painted to resemble plasterwork or embossed leather. It cost the same as the finer grades of wallpaper, but was less expensive than other relief materials.
Many well-known designers—including Christopher Dresser, Lewis F. Day, Hector Guimard, and the Herter Brothers—employed Lincrusta. This sample (1098) was formerly used in the John D. Rockefeller dining room on West 54th Street in New York City, and at one time was thought to be a Dresser design. The base material is a dark brown; after installation it was painted to resemble gilt leather. The entire surface was covered with a metallic gold pigment, with the recessed areas then painted a deep red. The original backing appears to be paper, indicating a slightly later production, as the original patterns were backed with canvas. Lincrusta had a range of uses and the canvas proved to be too stiff for many applications. In 1887 the rigid fabric backing was replaced with a light waterproof paper.
Lincrusta was frequently called one of the most valuable decorative materials ever introduced, and its popularity continued to grow. Marketing of Lincrusta in the United States began in 1879 with limited success. In August 1883 Frederick Beck & Co. purchased the patent rights and began production at its factory in Stamford, Connecticut, leading to increased sales in the United States. In 1880, a French concern bought patent rights, leading to its European production and worldwide popularity.

Lincrusta-Walton (England); Attributed to Christopher Dresser (Scottish, 1834 – 1904); painted and gilded lincrusta-walton ; H x W: 60 x 54.5 cm (23 5/8 x 21 7/16 in.); Gift of John Davison Rockefeller, Jr.; 1937-57-3

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Shock of the Old: Christopher Dresser.