This delightful fabric, Nonsuch Palace, is based on an original 18th Century English block print, and depicts Henry VIII’s magnificent Nonsuch Palace which only survived 150 years and then acquired almost mythical status.
This 1572 watercolour of Nonsuch Palace by Joris Hoefnagel is one of only four contemporary depictions of the palace. The painting captures the ornate building as it was in the 16th century, shortly after it was completed. It was sold by Christie’s in 2011.
It was said no other king’s residence could equal its magnificence. Yet this watercolour is almost all that remains of Henry VIII’s lost palace. It was finished shortly after Henry’s death in 1547. Built by the king to outshine his greatest rival, King Francis of France, the extravagant building was meant to make a huge architectural statement. Instead, it acquired almost mythical status as, despite its contemporary fame, it was ripped down after just 150 years by Charles II’s mistress to pay off her gambling debts.
‘Nonsuch Palace’ and ‘Nonsuch Ground‘ (the simpler design) are 100% cotton, 137cm wide, and £125 per metre. They both also come in blue. Delivery is 4-6 weeks.
See www.nushka.co.uk for their full collection of fabrics for curtains and upholstery, including Toile de Jouy cottons and linens drawn from Christopher Moore’s extensive archive of 18th and 19th century designs. Also historic chintzes, woodblocks, screen-prints and exotic Indian, Turkish and Chinoiserie archival designs printed on linen. Nushka’s range includes linen tea towels printed in indigo in designs from original Louis XIV engravings – and cushions in Kantha stitch or in Christopher Moore toiles.