Morris also produced twenty three designs for woven textiles. They were woven by hand in silk or wool by Morris and Company. Birds feature prominently in this design too.
Bird woven wool 1880-1905 designed by William Morris (1834–1896) in 1878. Full width sample with handloom woven design.
The repeating design features large birds perched and in flight amongst roses and other flowering plants against a floral background. Morris was one of Britain’s most influential 19th century designers. He is best known for his textile designs which he concentrated on from 1875-85 producing twenty three designs for woven fabrics.
In 1881 Morris moved Morris and Company’s production to Merton Abbey, a factory on the River Wandle in Wimbledon where this sample was woven on a Jacquard handloom. Morris also designed hand-knotted carpets, rugs, tapestries and embroideries. The firm practised dyeing, printing, weaving silk and wool, hand-knotting rugs and carpets.
Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery collection, gift.
Image © Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery
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