ABSTRACT
In 1852-3, the Museum of Ornamental Art, Marlborough House, featured a short-lived gallery of 'Examples of False Principles in Decoration'. This so-called chamber of horrors exhibited 87 ornamental manufactured objects, which were considered to exhibit false principles of decoration. Interestingly, the idea was revived by the German art historian and museum director Gustav E. Pazaurek, who recommended that every museum of arts and crafts should add a 'chamber of horrors' to present examples of bad design to educate the public in matters of good taste and design. Stems bearing flowers for various uses, arise from groups of metal leaves, standing tiptoe on their points, and every constructive truth, and just adaptation to use, is disregarded for a senseless imitative naturalism. The consideration of chintzes comes under the head of hangings; and upon these fabrics it is quite necessary to make a few remarks, since their decoration seems at present to be of the most extravagant kind.
