Length ca. 1775 Probably Bromley Hall The rare design of this printed cotton reflects two trends prevalent in English decorative arts of the second half of the eighteenth century: the use of birds as decorative motifs, especially in ceramics and porcelains, and the continuing fascination with chinoiserie. Here thin, delicate branches, tied at intervals, rise from the earth and sprout elegantly whimsical blossoms and foliage of various types. Exotic birds are shown in flight or alighting on these slender stems. Two birds confront each other amid decorative rockery, while below four others scratch for food. The inspiration for this design, with its elaborately feathered and crested birds and fanciful foliage, would seem to come not from the several ornithological studies printed in England during the eighteenth century, but rather from the influence of imported Chinese painted wallpapers. Highly unusual is the presence of three small Arabic numbers, 3 7 3, visible at the lower right edge