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Morris & Company
c 1895-1900

by May Morris or John Henry Dearle, embroidered with a two handled terracotta and ivory vase with acanthus leaf decoration holding a central tulip in shades of terracotta, two hibiscus with terracotta leaves and striped stamens, small ivory five leafed flowers and acanthus leaves, on a gold coloured embroidered ground, the border with a shaded pale green stripe, all in thick twisted silks, original plain medium light oak frame, the reverse imprinted with Morris & Co, 449 Oxford Stret, W 49544, 19 1/2 in; 50 cm aq.

Comments

Typical lovely colouring. I purchased this from a dealer who bought it at an auction. The dealer understood the piece had been in the same family since it was bought from Morris & Co. The embroidery of this piece is very high so it might have been worked in the Morris & Co's workshops and sold at the shop in Oxford Street, or sold in kit form, and worked by a very good amateur. It would have then be returned to the shop for framing. What is really nice is that it was made as a picture rather than the usual cushion cover or firescreen. A few years ago I had another panel of similar design but different colouring, blues and apricots on ivory ground. On the reverse of that piece was a newspaper cutting about Morris & Co dated 1899 and the maker's name. That was also very well embroidered by an amateur.

Condition

Excellent.