Object Type
In Britain, paper printed with patterns has been used for decorating walls since the 16th century. By the late 19th century wallpapers were widely used by all classes, in homes and also in public buildings. William Morris designed a number of wallpapers, all with repeating patterns based on natural forms.
Design & Designing
Many of Morris's wallpaper designs were based on plant forms which he studied at first hand. Some of his patterns, such as 'Trellis' and 'Garden Tulip' were drawn from plants in his own gardens. Others - such as 'Willow Bough' - were inspired by wild flowers and trees which he had seen on country walks. In 1881 he gave a lecture entitled 'Some Hints on Pattern Designing' in which he argued that the ideal pattern should have 'unmistakable suggestions of gardens and fields.' Morris also found ideas for his designs in the simple woodcut illustrations in 16th-century herbals (books describing plants and their various uses in medicine and cookery). He owned several books of this kind, including a copy of Gerard's Herball (published 1597) in which a willow branch is illustrated.
Subjects Depicted
The willow was one of Morris's favourite motifs and he used it in several of his designs for wallpaper and for textiles. Sometimes he used a small-scale pattern of simplified willow leaves as a background to other motifs, as in 'Lily' (1873) and 'Powdered' (1874). Also in 1874 he designed 'Willow', a simple stylised representation of willow branches on a dark ground. 'Willow Bough' is a more naturalistic version of this earlier pattern.
Physical description
Specimen of 'Willow Bough' wallpaper, a foliate pattern of intertwined willow leaves, green on pale-blue 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
London, England (printed)
Date
1887 (made)
1887 (published)
Artist/maker
William Morris, born 1834 - died 1896 (designer)
Morris & Co. (publisher)
Jeffrey (printer)
Materials and Techniques
block-printed in distemper colours, on paper
Marks and inscriptions
Willow Bough 229 / 6/-
Dimensions
Height: 68.6 cm unframed, Width: 53 cm unframed
Object history note
Printed in London by Jeffrey & Co. for Morris & Co.
The willow branch motif is basd on direct observation from nature. May Morris describes a walk with her father that inspired this design (see V&A Morris Catalogue, L.24).
Descriptive line
Specimen of 'Willow Bough' wallpaper, a foliate pattern of intertwined willow leaves, green on pale-blue 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; First issued 1887.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
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.
The full text of the entry is as follows:
'L.24 Wallpaper sample, Willow Bough, 210
Designed by William Morris, first issued 1887
Printed by Jeffrey & Co. for Morris & Co.
Block-printed in distemper colours, 68.5 x 53.0 cm
V&A (E.557-1919) Given by Morris & Co.
A naturalistic treatment of one of Morris’s favourite themes. May Morris wrote (1936, p.36): ‘We were walking one day by our little stream that runs into the Thames, and my Father pointed out the detail and variety in the leaf forms, and soon afterwards this paper was done, a keenly-observed rendering of our willows that has endowed many a London living-room.’
The original design is at the Whitworth Art gallery, University of Manchester.'
Labels and date
British Galleries:
This late design shows Morris's favourite natural theme, willows. His daughter May Morris wrote 'We were walking one day by our little stream that runs into the Thames, and my Father pointed out details and variety in the leaf forms and soon afterwards this paper was done, a keenly observed rendering of our willows'. It became the firm's most popular wallpaper. [27/03/2003]
Production Note
Within pattern book Volume 2 (1882-96).
Materials
Paper; Distemper
Techniques
Block printing
Subjects depicted
Leaves (plant materials); All-over pattern; Foliate; Willow leaves
Categories
Wall coverings
Collection code
PDP
