Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 125, Edwin and Susan Davies Gallery

Omar

Tapestry
1896 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This fabric was designed by the leading Arts and Crafts architect, C. H. Townsend. It shows how exponents of this style were keen to be involved in all aspects of decorative work, inside and outside the house. The manufacturer, Alexander Morton, bought designs from many leading designers and produced some of the most exciting and original furnishings of the period.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleOmar (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Jacquard-woven wool and cotton
Brief description
Tapestry, "Omar" of jacquard-woven wool and cotton furnishing textile, designed by Charles Harrison Townsend, manufactured by Alexander Morton & Co., Darvel, Scotland, 1896
Physical description
A large heavy-weight curtain of jacquard woven double cloth in wool with a fine cotton binding warp. The design shows large flower buds with small flowerheads growing from the centre all arranged on curving stems. The design is in grey, cream and shades of green and brown on a dark red ground. The ground has a honeycombed surface and the floral pattern is ribbed.
Dimensions
  • Height: 96in
  • Width: 64.5in
  • Weight: 7.5kg
Weight including roller
Marks and inscriptions
  • A label attached to the fabric, which describes it as a 'Cessnock' quality, Pattern No 37, Colour 15.
  • A label attached to the fabric, which states that the sample was in the Morton Sundour Fabrics Ltd Museum and Library (No 1962), that it was designed in 1896 and is a Darvel tapestry.
Gallery label
27 ‘OMAR’ FURNISHING FABRIC 1896-1900 This fabric was designed by the leading Arts and Crafts architect, C. H. Townsend. It shows how exponents of this style were keen to be involved in all aspects of decorative work, inside and outside the house. The manufacturer, Alexander Morton, bought designs from many leading designers and produced some of the most exciting and original furnishings of the period. Jacquard-woven wool and cotton Designed by Charles Harrison Townsend (born in Birkenhead, Merseyside, 1851, died in Northwood, near London, 1928) and manufactured by Alexander Morton & Co., Darvel, East Ayreshire 27 ‘OMAR’ FURNISHING FABRIC 1896-1900 This fabric was designed by the leading Arts and Crafts architect, C. H. Townsend. It shows how exponents of this style were keen to be involved in all aspects of decorative work, inside and outside the house. The manufacturer, Alexander Morton, bought designs from many leading designers and produced some of the most exciting and original furnishings of the period. Jacquard-woven wool and cotton Designed by Charles Harrison Townsend (born in Birkenhead, Merseyside, 1851, died in Northwood, near London, 1928) and manufactured by Alexander Morton & Co., Darvel, East Ayreshire Given by Jocelyn Morton and Courtaulds Ltd. Museum no. T.154-1977 (2013)
Credit line
Given by Jocelyn Morton and Courtaulds Ltd
Subjects depicted
Summary
This fabric was designed by the leading Arts and Crafts architect, C. H. Townsend. It shows how exponents of this style were keen to be involved in all aspects of decorative work, inside and outside the house. The manufacturer, Alexander Morton, bought designs from many leading designers and produced some of the most exciting and original furnishings of the period.
Bibliographic reference
Baker, Malcolm, and Brenda Richardson (eds.), A Grand Design: The Art of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London: V&A Publications, 1999.
Collection
Accession number
T.154-1977

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Record createdNovember 4, 2003
Record URL
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