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Purple Bird

Furnishing Fabric
1899 (designed)
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
TitlePurple Bird
Materials and techniques
Silk and wool double cloth
Brief description
Furnishing fabric 'Purple Bird' of silk and wool double cloth, designed by C. F. A. Voysey for Alexander Morton & Co., Great Britain, 1899
Physical description
Furnishing fabric of silk and wool double cloth. With birds facing to the right perched on vertical fruiting stems, in shades of pink, green and tan on a brown ground.
Dimensions
  • Length: 138cm
  • Width: 118.5cm
  • Length: 55in
  • Width: 48in
Credit line
Given by C. Cowles Voysey, FRIBA
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.20-1953

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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