Would you call this a novelty print or ??

Silk, late 50's/early 60's Sleeveless Sheath but is it a novelty print? Its like windows and brcks and flowers.. can't think of what else I can call it.

 

I think you could call it a novelty print. It is very artsy...perfect for a day out at a museum!

 

Looks novelty to me, too!

The colorway is just lovely; ditto the watercolor effect...

 

Very pretty! I vote for novelty print too.

 

that is why I asked because I think of novelty prints as something that isn't all over. What does qualify a print as "novelty"?

 

I agree it's difficult to ascertain just what a "novelty print" is.... Great topic for discussion!

I would call your lovely print a "watercolor novelty print." I think the term watercolor evokes the sort of softness and abstractness of your print. Even though there are recognizable elements, it's not as defined, for example, as dancing elephants or flamenco dancers with umbrellas would be....

 

One element I think of is in a novelty print is that it has a figural vs abstract or geometric pattern--ie people, animals, places, objects--usually with a whimsical or thematic treatment (or both!)