Cromer Bird thumbnail 1
Cromer Bird thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Cromer Bird

Furnishing Fabric
ca. 1884 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This block printed cotton textile was designed by Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo for the Century Guild and produced in about 1884 by Simpson & Godlee. The dynamic movement of the leaves of the design looks forward to Art Nouveau style motifs. Mackmurdo was an architect and designer who was a founder member of the Century Guild in 1882 and of the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society. He set up as an architect in 1875 and from 1885 to 1890 worked in partnership with Herbert Horne. Mackmurdo was also a friend of William Morris and C. F. A. Voysey.

Members of the Century Guild designed decorative arts of various types such as textiles and upholstered furniture which were manufactured for them by outside firms, including Simpson & Godlee, a textile printing company. Much of this work was commissioned and sold through the Bond Street shop of Wilkinson & Sons.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleCromer Bird (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Block-printed cotton
Brief description
Furnishing fabric 'Cromer Bird' of block-printed cotton, designed by Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo, printed by Simpson & Godlee, England, ca. 1884
Physical description
Furnishing fabric of block-printed cotton. With pink birds in twos and threes flying between stems with long yellow leaves and exotic pink blossoms, on a background of pink flowers on white.
Dimensions
  • Length: 60cm
  • Width: 77.5cm
Credit line
Given by Miss Elinor M. Pugh
Object history
A.H. Mackmurdo is of the Century Guild.
Summary
This block printed cotton textile was designed by Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo for the Century Guild and produced in about 1884 by Simpson & Godlee. The dynamic movement of the leaves of the design looks forward to Art Nouveau style motifs. Mackmurdo was an architect and designer who was a founder member of the Century Guild in 1882 and of the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society. He set up as an architect in 1875 and from 1885 to 1890 worked in partnership with Herbert Horne. Mackmurdo was also a friend of William Morris and C. F. A. Voysey.

Members of the Century Guild designed decorative arts of various types such as textiles and upholstered furniture which were manufactured for them by outside firms, including Simpson & Godlee, a textile printing company. Much of this work was commissioned and sold through the Bond Street shop of Wilkinson & Sons.
Bibliographic reference
Parry, Linda. British Textiles from 1850 to 1900 London : Victoria and Albert Museum 1993. Plate 104.
Collection
Accession number
T.88-1953

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Record createdJanuary 8, 2004
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