Octagonal Wool Work Table Mat

Details

Dimensions: 21 x 19
Object Type: textile
Material: wool on canvas
Technique: hand-embroidered
Catalogue number: F229
Designer and maker: Pugh, Elinor M., Miss, 1962
Credit notes: Miss Elinor Pugh Bequest, 1963

“The juxtaposition of the inner bands of vivid colours, and the outer bands of dull tones creates an immersive pattern that draws the viewer in to the centre of the object. The inner section appears illuminated and the central motif resembles both a window and a candle. The gaudy colours make it difficult to place this object within an established art historical framework. It is outside the canon.”
Lucinda Purkis and Raizel Frankl-Slater, WMG Young Producers

Details

Date: c.1890-1910
Dimensions: 21.6 x 13.6
Object Type: textile
Material: wool on cotton
Technique: hand-embroidered
Catalogue number: F215
Owner: Morris | May | 1862 | 1938
Artist: Dodsworth, Lily
Credit notes: Miss Mary Ann Sloane bequest, 1962

The embroidery was done by 13 year old Lily Dodsworth whilst a student at the Municipal School of Art, Birmingham and given to May Morris, presumably when she taught there. The panel depicts a deer grazing beside a flowering tree with a crescent moon above. It is worked in coloured wools on a dark blue piece of cotton in chain stitch, running stitch, stem stitch and satin stitch.

Details

Date: c.1890s
Dimensions: 127 x 163.8
Object Type: textile
Technique: hand-embroidered
Catalogue number: F205
Designer and maker: Morris | May | 1862 | 1938
Credit notes: Presented by Mary Annie Sloane, 1962

Wrap or cloak made from fine navy blue woven wool cloth with broad band of Chinese embroidery around neck and down one side along front opening and around cuffs and sleeves with pink chrysanthemums and butterflies. Coloured silk and metal thread worked in satin, stem, long and short, French knots and running stitches. The wrap is thought to have been made by May Morris and the embroidery is likely to be 19th century and of Chinese origin. It was acquired by May’s friend the artist Mary Sloane at the Kelmscot Manor Auction in 1938, Lot 124, for £2.6s.

Details

Date: c.1910-30
Dimensions: 232.4 x 226.1
Object Type: textile
Technique: hand-embroidered
Catalogue number: F203
Designer and maker: Morris | May | 1862 | 1938
Credit notes: Mary Annie Sloane bequest, 1962

This bedspread was made by May Morris. It is embroidered with embroidered knotwork, alternating with sprays of roses and other hedgerow flowers, berries and mistletoe. May used a similar knotwork pattern on one of her most successful designs, a bedspread for William Morris (Kelmscott Manor). The uncharacteristically bright coloured threads in this bedcover (May typically used natural coloured silk thread) suggests it was made towards the end of her life when a greater range of good quality synthetically dyed threads were available. The design for this is also in the collection (A221)

Technique: hand-embroidered

Pages

Archives

Categories