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The Orchard

Tapestry Design
late 1880s (made)
Artist/Maker
Morris & Co. (designed for)
Morris, William (designer)
Place of origin
Britain (made)

Design for a tapestry entitled 'the Orchard' (alternative title, 'The Seasons') (154-1898) on a scale of one eighth the size of the completed work. Four female figures appear on a bed of flowers and in front of a backdrop of highly stylised trees. Vines of grapes can be seen growing on a trellis in the background. A linked scroll design is held by the women.

Object details

Categories
Tapestry
Wall Coverings
Designs
Drawings
Object type
Tapestry design
Titles
  • The Orchard (assigned by artist)
  • The Seasons (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Watercolour and chinese white
Watercolour Drawing
Brief description
William Morris. 'The Orchard'. Design for the tapestry also called 'The Seasons', 154-1898. British, late 1880s.
Physical description
Design for a tapestry entitled 'the Orchard' (alternative title, 'The Seasons') (154-1898) on a scale of one eighth the size of the completed work. Four female figures appear on a bed of flowers and in front of a backdrop of highly stylised trees. Vines of grapes can be seen growing on a trellis in the background. A linked scroll design is held by the women.
Dimensions
  • Image height: 267mm
  • Image width: 608mm
  • Sheet height: 494mm
  • Sheet width: 682mm
Style
Pre-Raphaelite
Subjects depicted
Trees
Flowers
Grape Vines
Associated objects
Bibliographic references
  • John Murdoch and Susan Lambert, Summary Catalogue of Textile Designs 1840-1985 in the V. & A. Museum and colour microfiche, Surrey: Emmett Microform, 1986
  • Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design & Department of Paintings, Accessions 1939, published under the Authority of the Ministry of Education, London, 1950
  • Oman, Charles C., and Hamilton, Jean. Wallpapers: a history and illustrated catalogue of the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: Sotheby Publications, in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1982.
  • 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, pp.206-207, ill.
  • Oman, Charles C., and Hamilton, Jean. Wallpapers: a history and illustrated catalogue of the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: Sotheby Publications, in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1982.
  • Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design & Department of Paintings, Accessions 1919, London: Printed Under the Authority of His Majesty's Stationery Office, 1921
  • Botella-Gaudichon, Sylvette William Morris 1834-1896: L'Art dans tout Gent: Snoeck, 2022
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
E.544-1939

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Record createdDecember 15, 1999
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O16690/the-orchard-tapestry-design-morris-william/
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