This Morris & Co. printed cotton was designed by Duncan William Dearle. Duncan suceeded his father as chief designer and artistic directior at Morris & Co. when John Henry died in 1932. Duncan provided textile and stained glass designs, as well as running the day to day production in the various workshops. He took his responsibilities seriously but his great love was music: before the First World War he studied music composition in Heidelberg University in Germany (where he also familiarised himself with the art of dyeing), and later got a scholarship to Oxford. He became an accomplished organist and a music composer. According to Edward Pain, an employee of Morris & Co, he was less interested in design than in music, spending his time practising the clarinet. There are only three known designs by Duncan. This is the largest complete example of his design ‘Indian Pink’ which features alternating rows of pinks and bluebells.
