SOLD

Rare Eyebright Silk
c 1910

Between 1883-5 Morris's designs show two distinctive pattern types not seen before, large-scale meandering branch designs and small net patterns for lining fabrics. Initally printed on cotton 27 in. wide intended to be used as linings for Morris & Co's heavy woollen curtains (two widths of cotton matching the width of most woven wools). The provision of dress fabrics was of no interest to Morris although he saw in these small-scale designs, a good opportunity for commercial expansion. On 6 January 1883 he wrote to May Morris that a new block come in for the printed dresses and we can dye piece cotton goods so even the humble can indulge in these simple articles. Small scale patterns were ideal for dress fabrics and popular during the Aesthetic Movement.Cotton and silk could be hand washed. I have never seen or heard of a dress made with one of these small print silks. Parry, Linda William Morris Textiles p 54 In the Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide's exhibition in 2002 a dress of c 1898 made from Eyebright indigo discharge print on cotton of c 1883, was included p 52, no 12 Menz, Christopher Morris & Co Art Gallery of South Australia. Adelaide exhibition. My thanks to Frances Pritchard, curator at the Whitworth Museum, Manchester, for bringing the last book to my attention.

Cataloguing

printed dress fabric, the ivory silk hand block printed with a small repeat pattern of green leaves and yellow three leafed flowers of Eyebright, 6 x 4 1/4 in; 15 x 11 cm repeat, 120 1/2 x 19 in d; 48 x 52 cm

Condition

Very good condition apart from a small group of holes top left and a cut dart 7 in; 18 cm long hand sewn. Obviously this was a dress. Also sittching marks to one side and top of the piece.