This textile fragment is discharge and block printed in a polychrome floral repeat designed by William Morris. The selvedge bears his mark [see Inscriptions]. The fragment is hemmed at top and bottom edges and is selvedge width.
textiles
printed textile materials
indigo (colorant)
Arts and Crafts (movement)
Sample, Material
Sample, Material
Morris named this pattern "Wandle" after the river that passed through his Merton Abbey printworks, "to honour our helpful stream." Morris relied on the Wandle's soft water in his textile printing. Morris designed "Wandle" using both his newly perfected discharge printing method, dyeing the entire textile with indigo, then printing with bleach to remove the indigo in patterns, then applying mordants using traditional block printing. The result is a richly colored background with sparkling details and colors.
"Reg'd Morris & Company 440 Oxford Street London W"
Morris, William, 1834-1896, Morris & Co (Printer)
38 (W) (inches)
Gift of Bernard Scott
2001.281.1277
1884 (design registered by Morris)
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