Lily
Sample
ca. 1875 (made)
ca. 1875 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This machine woven Wilton carpeting was designed by William Morris in 1875 and woven for Morris & Co. by the Wilton Royal Carpet Factory Ltd. The pattern is based on Morris' favourite motifs of stylised garden flowers and the wool is dyed in natural colours.
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. He 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. The Wilton Royal Carpet Factory Ltd. was a leading 19th century producer of pile carpets and worked under contract for various companies.
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. He 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. The Wilton Royal Carpet Factory Ltd. was a leading 19th century producer of pile carpets and worked under contract for various companies.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Lily (manufacturer's title) |
| Materials and techniques | Machine-woven woollen pile on jute |
| Brief description | Carpet sample 'Lily' of machine-woven woollen pile on jute, designed by William Morris, made by Wilton Royal Carpet Factory Ltd., Wiltshire, retailed by Morris & Co., ca. 1875 |
| Physical description | Carpet sample of machine-woven Wilton-type carpeting with woollen pile on jute. The carpet has a soft velvety texture (woven at 50-150 tufts to the inch) and the pattern is formed on the surface of the carpet by different coloured warp thread loops, which are cut, on a strong woven foundation. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Object history | Designed by William Morris, ca. 1875, this carpet was manufactured for Morris & Co. by Yates & Co. (later Wilton Royal Carpet Factory Ltd). 'Lily' was one twenty-four Wilton carpet designs available through Morris & Co. and this type of floor covering proved the most commercially popular of all those sold by the firm. Available in four widths, from 18 to 36 inches, they cost 10s. 6d per yard. 'Saxony-Wilton' or 'velvet Carpet' a more luxurious pile carpet was available at 12s. 6d. per yard. Patterned borders became popular, and complete Wilton bordered carpets were sold through the shop. This sample was part of a larger carpet used in a house in Lowndes square. |
| Summary | This machine woven Wilton carpeting was designed by William Morris in 1875 and woven for Morris & Co. by the Wilton Royal Carpet Factory Ltd. The pattern is based on Morris' favourite motifs of stylised garden flowers and the wool is dyed in natural colours. 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. He 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. The Wilton Royal Carpet Factory Ltd. was a leading 19th century producer of pile carpets and worked under contract for various companies. |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.65B-1959 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | January 13, 2004 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
