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Wallpaper - Bird and Anemone
  • Bird and Anemone
    Morris, William, born 1834 - died 1896
  • Enlarge image

Bird and Anemone

  • Object:

    Wallpaper

  • Place of origin:

    England (made)

  • Date:

    1881 (designed)
    1882 (published)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Morris, William, born 1834 - died 1896 (designer)
    Jeffrey & Co. (manufacturer)
    Morris & Co. (publisher)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    block-printed in distemper colours, on paper

  • Credit Line:

    Given by Morris and Co.

  • Museum number:

    E.530-1919

  • Gallery location:

    Prints & Drawings Study Room, level C, case DW, shelf 57, box E

Physical description

Specimen of 'Bird and Anemone' wallpaper, a pattern of intertwined anemone flowers and foliage, with repeats of two designs of perching birds, pale-brown on a darker ground; Block-printed in distemper colours, on paper; Inscribed on the back in ink with title, number and price.
Part of 'Volume 2', a pattern book containing 27 Morris & Co. patterns from 1862-81 (E.530-608-1919).

Place of Origin

England (made)

Date

1881 (designed)
1882 (published)

Artist/maker

Morris, William, born 1834 - died 1896 (designer)
Jeffrey & Co. (manufacturer)
Morris & Co. (publisher)

Materials and Techniques

block-printed in distemper colours, on paper

Marks and inscriptions

Inscribed on the back in ink with title, number and price.

Dimensions

Height: 68.5 cm size of volume, Width: 53.3 cm size of volume

Object history note

'According to the wallpaper logbook the first set was sent out on 15 June 1882. A printed fabric of the same name and design was registered on 17 June. A comparison of paper and textile reveals differences which are partly due to technique but which also indicate that straight matching was not intended.'
Linda Parry (see Bibliographic References).

Descriptive line

Specimen of 'Bird and Anemone' wallpaper, a pattern of intertwined anemone flowers and foliage, with repeats of two designs of perching birds, pale-brown on a darker ground; Block-printed in distemper colours, on paper; Designed by William Morris; Printed by Jeffrey & Co. for Morris & Co.; Part of 'Volume 2', a pattern book containing 27 Morris & Co. patterns from 1882-96 (E.530-608-1919); England; 1882.

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Oman, Charles C., and Hamilton, Jean. Wallpapers: a history and illustrated catalogue of the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: Sotheby Publications, in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1982.
Parry, Linda, ed. William Morris London : Philip Wilson in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1996. Published to coincide with an exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum, 9 May-1 Sept. 1996.
Oman, Charles C., and Hamilton, Jean. Wallpapers: a history and illustrated catalogue of the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: Sotheby Publications, in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1982.
Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design & Department of Paintings, Accessions 1919, London: Printed Under the Authority of His Majesty's Stationery Office, 1921

Production Note

Within pattern book Volume 2 (1882-96).
This design was also used for a chintz.

Materials

Paper; Distemper

Techniques

Block printing

Subjects depicted

Anemones (flowers); Birds; Flowers; Leaves (plant materials)

Categories

Wall coverings; Prints

Collection

Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection

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