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Sample

1895-1900 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This sample colour strip of woven fabric depicts trees and hills in four colourways. It was designed by C. F. A. Voysey for Alexander Morton & Co. between 1895 and 1900.

Voysey was one of the most original and influential architects and designers of all forms of decorative art working at the turn of the 19th century. In 1882 he set up his own architecture practice and from the late 1880s started to design repeating patterns for wallpaper and woven and printed textiles and carpets. Voysey's most interesting designs date from this time and are dominated by flowing patterns incorporating pastel coloured birds, animals, hearts, flowers and trees in silhouette. He sold his work to manufacturers such as G. P. & J. Baker, Thomas Wardle and Alexander Morton. Voysey's designs were well known on the Continent, and though popular with French Art Nouveau designers, his influence was felt more dramatically by the founders of the Modern Movement.

Alexander Morton founded his textile company in Scotland in 1867 and in 1900 moved to a factory in Carlisle. Morton's son James was responsible for buying patterns from most of the leading freelance designers of the day, including Voysey, Butterfield and the Silver Studio.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Woven wool and silk double cloth
Brief description
Furnishing fabric sample of woven wool and silk double cloth, designed by by C.F.A. Voysey for Alexander Morton & Co., Great Britain, 1895-1900
Physical description
Furnishing fabric sample of woven wool and silk double cloth. With a design of trees and hills in four colourways.
Dimensions
  • Length: 76cm
  • Width: 30cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Transliteration
  • Transliteration
Credit line
Given by Manchester College of Art and Design
Summary
This sample colour strip of woven fabric depicts trees and hills in four colourways. It was designed by C. F. A. Voysey for Alexander Morton & Co. between 1895 and 1900.

Voysey was one of the most original and influential architects and designers of all forms of decorative art working at the turn of the 19th century. In 1882 he set up his own architecture practice and from the late 1880s started to design repeating patterns for wallpaper and woven and printed textiles and carpets. Voysey's most interesting designs date from this time and are dominated by flowing patterns incorporating pastel coloured birds, animals, hearts, flowers and trees in silhouette. He sold his work to manufacturers such as G. P. & J. Baker, Thomas Wardle and Alexander Morton. Voysey's designs were well known on the Continent, and though popular with French Art Nouveau designers, his influence was felt more dramatically by the founders of the Modern Movement.

Alexander Morton founded his textile company in Scotland in 1867 and in 1900 moved to a factory in Carlisle. Morton's son James was responsible for buying patterns from most of the leading freelance designers of the day, including Voysey, Butterfield and the Silver Studio.
Bibliographic reference
Parry, Linda. British Textiles from 1850 to 1900 London : Victoria and Albert Museum 1993. Plate 123.
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.99-1966

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Record createdDecember 16, 2003
Record URL
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