Design for Curtains 1841 - 1917

This is a design for curtains by Charles Hindley and Sons, created in the late 19th century, a period defined by Victorian ideals of domesticity. Hindley and Sons were a prominent decorating firm, catering to the tastes of the British upper and middle classes. The drawing offers us a glimpse into the aesthetics of the time, where elaborate window dressings were potent signifiers of wealth and status. These curtains, with their heavy ornamentation, speak to the Victorian obsession with embellishment. The layers of fabric and intricate patterns served to insulate the inhabitants from the outside world, creating a private, controlled environment that was a hallmark of Victorian domestic life. Yet, the drawing is also a document of labor and global trade. Behind the luxurious fabrics lie the hands of countless workers and the exploitation of resources from colonized lands. Ultimately, the drawing invites us to consider the complex ways in which domestic space has historically been shaped by power, privilege, and the intimate realities of everyday life.