Bannister Hall Print Works

Bannister Hall Print Works was a textile printing firm documented as active between 1800 and 1820. Specializing in the production of printed fabrics, the firm contributed significantly to the supply of high-quality domestic and furnishing textiles during the early 19th century.

The primary artistic output of Bannister Hall Print Works centered on large-scale printed cloth designed for interior decoration, including bedcovers and furnishing panels. The surviving examples showcase the technical methods of textile printing utilized during this period.

Five of the firm’s printed textiles are represented in museum collections, confirming the historical and artistic merit of their output. These works are held by the Art Institute of Chicago, establishing the credibility of Bannister Hall Print Works as a producer of museum-quality historical fabrics.

Key works preserved in collections include a Bedcover and multiple fabric Panel designs, often designated explicitly as furnishing fabric. A notable example is the decorative textile titled Plum Trees and Pheasants (Furnishing Fabric). Owing to their age, reproductions of Bannister Hall Print Works prints are sometimes made available through public domain initiatives, allowing for study and appreciation of these historical textile designs.