Wonderful colours and design. As this has a continuous border to the four sides, I would suggest it was made as a table runner. Similar panels can be found round square tablecloths, but these would not have the end borders. May would have designed this piece whilst running the embroidery workshop at Morris & Company. It would have either been embroidered in the Morris & Co workshop, or sold as a kit in their shop.
The long length embroidered in glossy twisted silks with six flowerheads, poppies and in coral, peach and ivory silks, each within a rose briar, outlined in rust silk, the background in soft turquoise silks, , a narrow border of ivory silks outlined with pale green, all on a natural cotton ground.
44 x 9 in; 1.12 m x 23 cm
Very good condition, glossy and good colours. One small blackish mark to third flower along. I am told this is organic matter and could be removed by a conservator. We can get this done for you. The base cotton edging is torn in the lower left hand corner. what is interesting about this is that the original brown drawing for the embroidery design can be seen. The drawing does not go the full width of fabric, so slightly mystified.
William Morris Textiles Linda Parry
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