Emerson Acanthus Border

This border, with its pairing of the classical design elements of Acanthus plus Lily, was chosen by Edward and Abigail Emerson as the upper and lower trim, to accompany the Emerson Arabesque paper in their parlor. The black and terracotta is reminiscent of borders on painted Grecian Attic vases; this combination was highly popular in the late 18th century. Our reproduction of that pattern was commissioned by the curators at George Washington’s Mount Vernon.