Omar
Furnishing Fabric
1896-1900 (made)
1896-1900 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This woven furnishing textile was designed by Charles Harrison Townsend and woven by the firm of Alexander Morton & Co. of Darvel in Scotland. The exact date of production of this textile is not known but stylistically it can be dated between 1896 and 1900, when it was illustrated in the Art Journal magazine.
The design of this textile shows traditional repeating motifs reminiscent of 16th and 17th century Turkish velvets. Its name also indicates an Eastern theme and may have be based on the epic Persian poemThe Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, translated by the British poet Edward Fitzgerald and first published in 1859. C.H. Townsend (1851-1928), the designer of this textile, was chiefly known as an architect. His most famous creations are the Whitechapel Art Gallery and The Horniman Museum, both in London, two of the most important British Arts and Crafts buildings. He produced only a few large-scale designs for textiles.
The firm of Alexander Morton & Co. was one of the most forward-looking manufacturers of the late 19th century. It bought designs from leading artistic figures of the day in line with the firm's policy to produce innovative furnishings for artistic homes. This is part of the 'Cessnock' range of heavyweight weaves for hangings, all of which were made with the same yarns and texture. It was also referred to as a 'Darvel tapestry', named after the place where it had been woven.
The design of this textile shows traditional repeating motifs reminiscent of 16th and 17th century Turkish velvets. Its name also indicates an Eastern theme and may have be based on the epic Persian poemThe Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, translated by the British poet Edward Fitzgerald and first published in 1859. C.H. Townsend (1851-1928), the designer of this textile, was chiefly known as an architect. His most famous creations are the Whitechapel Art Gallery and The Horniman Museum, both in London, two of the most important British Arts and Crafts buildings. He produced only a few large-scale designs for textiles.
The firm of Alexander Morton & Co. was one of the most forward-looking manufacturers of the late 19th century. It bought designs from leading artistic figures of the day in line with the firm's policy to produce innovative furnishings for artistic homes. This is part of the 'Cessnock' range of heavyweight weaves for hangings, all of which were made with the same yarns and texture. It was also referred to as a 'Darvel tapestry', named after the place where it had been woven.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Titles |
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| Materials and techniques | Jacquard-woven wool and cotton |
| Brief description | Furnishing fabric 'Omar' of Jacquard-woven wool and cotton, from 'Cessnock' series, designed by C. H. Townsend, made by Alexander Morton & Co., Darvel, 1896-1900 |
| Physical description | Furnishing fabric of Jacquard-woven wool and cotton. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'Des. Cessnock Patt. No. 37. Colour No. 13 Width 63" A.M. & Co' (Printed on the label)
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| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Given by J. W. F. Morton, Esq. |
| Object history | Designed by Charles Harrison Townsend (born in Birkenhead, Merseyside, 1851, died in Northwood, near London, 1928) and manufactured by Alexander Morton & Co., Darvel, East Ayrshire |
| Summary | This woven furnishing textile was designed by Charles Harrison Townsend and woven by the firm of Alexander Morton & Co. of Darvel in Scotland. The exact date of production of this textile is not known but stylistically it can be dated between 1896 and 1900, when it was illustrated in the Art Journal magazine. The design of this textile shows traditional repeating motifs reminiscent of 16th and 17th century Turkish velvets. Its name also indicates an Eastern theme and may have be based on the epic Persian poemThe Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, translated by the British poet Edward Fitzgerald and first published in 1859. C.H. Townsend (1851-1928), the designer of this textile, was chiefly known as an architect. His most famous creations are the Whitechapel Art Gallery and The Horniman Museum, both in London, two of the most important British Arts and Crafts buildings. He produced only a few large-scale designs for textiles. The firm of Alexander Morton & Co. was one of the most forward-looking manufacturers of the late 19th century. It bought designs from leading artistic figures of the day in line with the firm's policy to produce innovative furnishings for artistic homes. This is part of the 'Cessnock' range of heavyweight weaves for hangings, all of which were made with the same yarns and texture. It was also referred to as a 'Darvel tapestry', named after the place where it had been woven. |
| Bibliographic reference | Karen Livingstone and Linda Parry, eds., International Arts & Crafts (V&A: V&A Publications, 2005), p.18. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.887-1967 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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