Not on display

Mechtilde

Furnishing Fabric
1913 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This printed linen furnishing fabric was designed and sold by The Omega Workshops Ltd. Founded in 1913 by Roger Fry, Omega Workshops was a group of artists (including Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant) who designed furniture, pottery, carpets, textiles, stained glass and whole schemes of interior decoration. The Omega textile designs were ahead of their time and set a fashion for abstract and geometric patterns. This example 'Mechtilde', is likely to have been designed by the artist Frederick Etchells, a member of the group. This simple design was also used for a carpet woven by The Wilton Royal Carpet Factory, near Salisbury, in about 1915.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleMechtilde (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Printed linen
Brief description
Furnishing fabric 'Mechtilde' of printed linen, possibly designed by Frederick Etchells or Roger Fry, printed by Besselièvre, Maromme, retailed by Omega Workshops, 1913
Physical description
Furnishing fabric of printed linen with a design of rows of squares linked by vertical lines.
Dimensions
  • Height: 49cm
  • Width: 25.5cm
Credit line
Given by Miss M. Hogarth
Object history
Miss M. Hogarth (given 1930) - gave textiles between 1928 and 1935 (MA/1/H2383).
Minute of 8.3.1930 in RPs regarding Circ. 3 - 11-1932 and T. 238-243-1931 by Director indicated: 'Examples of thse Omega fabrics are now difficult to procure and though they may not now be popular, yet they are interesting as representing a definite stage in the development of modern Decorative Art in this country. I should like, therefore, to recommend that the gift be very gratefully accepted. The pieces are small and can be accommodated in the portfolio. The duplicate pieces will be very useful, if required, for Circulation purposes.' Letter of acceptance dated 15/03/1930 and signed by Eric Maclagan. (30/2364)
Summary
This printed linen furnishing fabric was designed and sold by The Omega Workshops Ltd. Founded in 1913 by Roger Fry, Omega Workshops was a group of artists (including Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant) who designed furniture, pottery, carpets, textiles, stained glass and whole schemes of interior decoration. The Omega textile designs were ahead of their time and set a fashion for abstract and geometric patterns. This example 'Mechtilde', is likely to have been designed by the artist Frederick Etchells, a member of the group. This simple design was also used for a carpet woven by The Wilton Royal Carpet Factory, near Salisbury, in about 1915.
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.11B-1932

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Record createdMarch 12, 2009
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