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Fruit

Wallpaper Sample
ca. 1868-70 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Specimen of 'Fruit' (or 'Pomegranate') wallpaper, design of fruit tree branches bearing oranges, lemons and pomegranates, with a blue ground; Block-printed in distemper colours, on paper; Inscribed on the back in ink with title, number etc.
Part of a pattern book containing 23 Morris & Co. patterns (E.3698-3704, 3706-3718, 3720-3722-1927).

Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Fruit (manufacturer's title)
  • Pomegranate (popular title)
Materials and techniques
Colour woodblock print on paper
Brief description
Specimen of 'Fruit' (or 'Pomegranate') wallpaper, design of fruit tree branches bearing oranges, lemons and pomegranates, with a blue ground; Block-printed in distemper colours, on paper; Published by Morris & Co.; Printed by Jeffrey & Co.; Part of a pattern book of 23 Morris & Co. patterns (E.3698-3704, 3706-3718, 3720-3722-1927); England; First issued ca.1866.
Physical description
Specimen of 'Fruit' (or 'Pomegranate') wallpaper, design of fruit tree branches bearing oranges, lemons and pomegranates, with a blue ground; Block-printed in distemper colours, on paper; Inscribed on the back in ink with title, number etc.
Part of a pattern book containing 23 Morris & Co. patterns (E.3698-3704, 3706-3718, 3720-3722-1927).
Dimensions
  • Average size of pattern book contents ( e.3698 3704, 3706 3718, 3720 3722 1927) height: 54.6cm
  • Average size of pattern book contents ( e.3698 3704, 3706 3718, 3720 3722 1927) width: 77.5cm
Dimensions from: 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.
Style
Marks and inscriptions
(Inscribed on the back in ink with title, number etc.)
Credit line
Bequeathed by J. R. Holliday
Object history
Bequeathed by J. R. Holliday.
Originally in a volume, this paper was part of a set that was split up, E.3705, 3719-1927 are missing.
'Fruit' was possibly the second paper designed by Morris to be issued. The serial numbering in the printing log places it between Daisy and Trellis. However, Linda Parry (see references) cites Mackail's notes that suggest that the design was made 'no earlier than 1865'.
Production
The 'Fruit' (or 'Pomegranate') design was the second paper designed by William Morris to be issued, produced in 1864.
Part of a pattern book containing 23 Morris & Co. patterns (E.3698-3704, 3706-3718, 3720-3722-1927).
Subjects depicted
Associated objects
Bibliographic references
  • 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.
  • Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design and Department of Paintings, Accessions 1927, London: Board of Education, 1928
Collection
Accession number
E.3711-1927

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Record createdJune 18, 2009
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