1885 / 1890, England

1885 / 1890, England

Identifier
T.69-1939
Acquisition
Bequeathed by May Morris
Carried out by
Webb, Philip Speakman (http://data.silknow.org/activity/designer)
Collection
Material
Technique
Depiction
Dimension
5 cm (depth)
65.4 cm (length)
71.5 cm (length)
62.5 cm (width)
71.5 cm (width)
Production time
Production place
Type of object

Description

This is an example of a small, square design for cushion covers and fire screens. It was available from the Morris & Co. shop as a finished embroidery or kit to complete at home. Such designs were an inexpensive means of acquiring William Morris's work, and many examples have survived. May Morris embroidered this picture. She was William Morris's youngest daughter and manager of the embroidery section of Morris & Co. from 1885 until 1896. May was a highly accomplished designer and a leading Arts and Crafts embroiderer and jewellery maker. She embroidered both her own designs and those of family and friends. Linen canvas embroidered with silks. Worked in cross stitch, tent titch and condensed Scotch stitch Shades of red, blue, green, brown and white. A formal vine tree with bunches of grapes.