William Morris for Morris, Marshall, Faulkner and Company
'Fruit' or 'Pomegranate' a Wallpaper Design with olives, lemons and pomegranates, circa 1865
gouache on paper over pencil and crayon, inscribed with colour instructions in the artist's hand, reverse with 'no 14 (crossed out and written 10) Morris and Co., Merton Abbey Works, Surrey' and 'Morris 17 George Street, Hanover Square, London , W1' and in pencil 'wallpaper portfolio'
62 x 65cm
gouache on paper over pencil and crayon, inscribed with colour instructions in the artist's hand, reverse with 'no 14 (crossed out and written 10) Morris and Co., Merton Abbey Works, Surrey' and 'Morris 17 George Street, Hanover Square, London , W1' and in pencil 'wallpaper portfolio'
62 x 65cm
Sold for
£30,000
inc. premium
Footnotes
- Estimate available on request
This is one of Morris' earliest designs for wallpaper and is known to exist in two versions, this is the second, in which a spray of peaches has been substituted for an olive branch. It shows the complex diagonal patterns that replace his earlier decorative gothic grid work.
Ref: Morris and Company 1861-1940 Commemorative Exhibition, The Arts Council 1961 catalogue (contains the first version no. 17).
For comparisons with the wallpaper please see 'William Morris' exhibition, V&A, 1996 catalogue, no. L3.
Category: Decorative Arts / 20th Century Decorative Arts
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