Dove and Rose thumbnail 1
Dove and Rose thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Dove and Rose

Furnishing Fabric
1879 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This repeating pattern of flowers and vegetation was designed by William Morris in 1879 and woven by Alexander Morton & Company for Morris and Company. Morris was the artist and designer who was the greatest single influence on the Arts and Crafts movement and the most successful textile designer and manufacturer of his day. Morris revived the craft of block printing and vegetable dyeing and in his own home he set up looms for tapestry weaving and the hand knotting of carpets. He was highly influenced by historical patterns and was one of the most knowledgeable textile historians of the late 19th century.

Morris & Co. was founded by William Morris in 1875, producing textiles commercially for sale in two London shops. Alexander Morton established his textile company in Scotland in 1867 and manufactured silk and wool fabrics and gauzes for Morris & Co. until Morris set up his Merton Abbey Works in 1881, where he produced his own textiles.

This complex design was suitable for curtains and hangings and was available in different scales and colourings.


Object details

Category
Object type
TitleDove and Rose (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Woven silk and wool double cloth
Brief description
woven, 1879, British; Morris, W. for Morris & Co. "Dove and Rose"
Physical description
Length of furnishing fabric with woven pattern of pairs of doves and stylised foliage in green, yellow and light red on a mauve ground
Dimensions
  • Taken from register width: 36in
  • Taken from register length: 24 3/4in
Credit line
Given by E Wilkinson
Summary
This repeating pattern of flowers and vegetation was designed by William Morris in 1879 and woven by Alexander Morton & Company for Morris and Company. Morris was the artist and designer who was the greatest single influence on the Arts and Crafts movement and the most successful textile designer and manufacturer of his day. Morris revived the craft of block printing and vegetable dyeing and in his own home he set up looms for tapestry weaving and the hand knotting of carpets. He was highly influenced by historical patterns and was one of the most knowledgeable textile historians of the late 19th century.

Morris & Co. was founded by William Morris in 1875, producing textiles commercially for sale in two London shops. Alexander Morton established his textile company in Scotland in 1867 and manufactured silk and wool fabrics and gauzes for Morris & Co. until Morris set up his Merton Abbey Works in 1881, where he produced his own textiles.

This complex design was suitable for curtains and hangings and was available in different scales and colourings.
Bibliographic references
  • Parry, Linda. British Textiles from 1850 to 1900 London : Victoria and Albert Museum 1993. Plate 90.
  • Parry, Linda, ed. William Morris. London: Philip Wilson Publishers Limited, 1996. 384 p., ill. ISBN 0856674419
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.610-1954

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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