Not currently on display at the V&A

The Wykehamist

Carpet Border
1896 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Charles Voysey was one of the most original and influential architects and designers of all forms of decorative art working at the end of the 19th century. In 1882 he set up his own architecture practice and from the late 1880s started to design repeating patterns for wallpaper, woven and printed textiles and carpets.

Voysey's most interesting designs date from this time and show the influence of William Morris's principles of pattern design and use of plant forms and animals as standard motifs. Voysey's textiles are dominated by flowing patterns incorporating birds, deer, hearts, flowers and trees in silhouette. He sold his work to manufacturers such as G. P. & J. Baker, Thomas Wardle and Alexander Morton, and many of his designs were sold through Liberty in London. Voysey's work was well known in continental Europe, and though popular with French Art Nouveau designers, his influence was felt more dramatically by the founders of the Modern movement.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Wykehamist (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Machine-woven wool
Brief description
Border of carpet of machine-woven wool 'The Wykehamist', designed by CFA Voysey, made by Tomkinson and Adam, Kidderminster, 1896
Physical description
Border of carpet of machine-woven wool Axminster type manufacture. The design shows ochre and fawn coloured scrolling leaves with a red tulip flowerhead repeating at intervals. A small subsidiary design of passion flower leaves in pale green and ochre can also be seen. The border design is identical to that used for the field. The carpet border has two inner stripes and four outer guard stripes in ochre, fawn and pale green ending in a broad 1.5 inch (3.6 cms) dark blue outer band.
Dimensions
  • Weight: 1.18kg
Style
Object history
Registered File number 1986/1305.
One of two sections of carpet borders with T.113-1986, and the Register gives an overall size of 26 inches (max) x 17.5 inches (66 cm (max) x 44.5 cm).

See also T.112-1986 for another section of the same carpet and T.73-1953 for a section of the field design given to the Museum by the manufacturer.
Production
Originally designed to match 'The Wykehamist' field design.
Subjects depicted
Summary
Charles Voysey was one of the most original and influential architects and designers of all forms of decorative art working at the end of the 19th century. In 1882 he set up his own architecture practice and from the late 1880s started to design repeating patterns for wallpaper, woven and printed textiles and carpets.

Voysey's most interesting designs date from this time and show the influence of William Morris's principles of pattern design and use of plant forms and animals as standard motifs. Voysey's textiles are dominated by flowing patterns incorporating birds, deer, hearts, flowers and trees in silhouette. He sold his work to manufacturers such as G. P. & J. Baker, Thomas Wardle and Alexander Morton, and many of his designs were sold through Liberty in London. Voysey's work was well known in continental Europe, and though popular with French Art Nouveau designers, his influence was felt more dramatically by the founders of the Modern movement.
Collection
Accession number
T.113A-1986

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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