Not currently on display at the V&A

Dove and rose

Furnishing Fabric
1879 (designed), 1879 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This repeating pattern of flowers and vegetation was designed by William Morris in 1879 and woven by Alexander Morton & Company for Morris and Company. 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. Morris 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. Alexander Morton established his textile company in Scotland in 1867 and manufactured silk and wool fabrics and gauzes for Morris & Co. until Morris set up his Merton Abbey Works in 1881, where he produced his own textiles.

This complex design was suitable for curtains and hangings and was available in different scales and colourings.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Dove and rose (generic title)
  • Dove and Rose (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Jacquard-woven silk and wool double cloth, with some metal thread
Brief description
Furnishing fabric designed by William Morris 1879 and made by Alexander Morton & Co. or Merton Abbey.
Physical description
Furnishing fabric
Dimensions
  • Height: 29.2cm
  • Width: 44.4cm
Credit line
Given by Morris & Co.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This repeating pattern of flowers and vegetation was designed by William Morris in 1879 and woven by Alexander Morton & Company for Morris and Company. 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. Morris 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. Alexander Morton established his textile company in Scotland in 1867 and manufactured silk and wool fabrics and gauzes for Morris & Co. until Morris set up his Merton Abbey Works in 1881, where he produced his own textiles.

This complex design was suitable for curtains and hangings and was available in different scales and colourings.
Bibliographic references
  • Parry, Linda, ed. William Morris. London: Philip Wilson Publishers Limited, 1996. 384 p., ill. ISBN 0856674419
  • Parry, Linda. British Textiles from 1850 to 1900 London : Victoria and Albert Museum 1993. Plate 90.
Collection
Accession number
T.26-1919

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Record createdJanuary 14, 2004
Record URL
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