Name/Title
Tablecloth: Calico Kitchen 452, Spice Brown, 52”x52”Description
A tablecloth with a three-color silkscreen print on off-white linen depicting kitchen implements superimposed with Wert’s interpretation of calico textile prints set within a red border.
It was produced in at least three colorways: brick red, early blue and black on white, or bottle green, spice brown and black on white (this example).
Within the tea kettle is a hidden message about the inspiration for this design: THE EARLY PATTERN OF CALICO AND 18 CENTURY COOKING SUGGESTED AN OPPORTUNITY TO RELATE THEM HERE.
This example from a Wert family member is two uncut and unfinished tablecloths on one panel.
This is one of the first three tablecloth designs produced by Country Prints. A c.1955 price list trumpets the recent debut, “Long awaited and now being enthusiastically received, they are pure linen, 52” x 52”. They are air dried in our tall silo after hand printing. All priced at $7.00 each [retail].”
A matching placemat set and tile were also produced; see images.
This example descended through the Wert family and is in the collection of Kathryn Zentner.Made/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Robert Darr WertRole
ArtistManufacturer
Country PrintsDate made
circa 1954Time Period
20th CenturyPlace
Location
Gill MA.Continent
North AmericaNotes
Though most likely designed in the mid-1950’s, this tablecloth was still in production in the 1960’s as per attached newspaper images.Inscription/Signature/Marks
“r. darr wert by hand”, opposite lower left corners.Material
Bleached Linen, Textile Ink