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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level C , Case MB2B, Shelf DR105, Box SS7

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
Paper
Distemper
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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