Berrien House Sprig Wallpaper - A

Simple sprig patterns were a mainstay of English, French and American paperhanging manufacturers for many years. The fragments for this particular sprig pattern were the earliest in a “sandwich” of at least 12 sidewall patterns found at the Berrien House in Savannah, Georgia. Whether it is English, French or American is difficult to determine.

The popularity of sprig patterns with the public was no doubt due to their versatility, airy calm and affordability.

They were attractive for printers as well: rather than requiring blocks that printed the entire width of the paper, the blocks need only print half the width, first the left side and then the right. Of course, this resulted in registration marks appearing in the middle of the pattern but often these dots were integrated into the design. And the small amount of surface area being printed meant only a modest amount of pressure was required by the press operator.