This was the most technically complicated textile Morris ever produced. It was woven at Merton Abbey on a special loom but took so long to weave that it was never put into commercial production. It was the only velvet Morris produced at Merton Abbey. The blue areas were block-printed onsite. Only 20 yards (1829cm) were woven in 1884, at a cost of £10 per yard before the enterprise was abandoned as too costly. The golden thread consists of gilt paper wrapped around a silk core. Another sample is in the V&A (T.4-1919). The pattern was inspired by sixteenth century Italian and Spanish broacaded velvets.
