Peony

Designerdesigned by John Henry Dearle (British, 1860 - 1932)

Maker Morris and Company (London, British, 1861 - 1940)

Additional Title(s)

Anemone
Designs for Embroidery

Collections

William Morris Collection

ClassificationsDRAWINGS

Date1885-1890

Mediumgraphite, ink and watercolor on paper

Dimensions12 1/2 x 13 3/8 in. (31.8 x 34 cm.)

DescriptionOn recto, yellow ground with intertwining peony and vines (flowers are pink and orange) with blue flowers. On verso, large white leafy vine with pink anemones entwined with smaller blue flowers on pale yellow ground.

Inscribedrecto in graphite by May Morris: " 'B' This is most likely to be most suited as 'A' is rather too like 'Anemone' panel alread worked MM[signature]"; verso in graphite: " 'A' Embroidery Screen Panel"

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

Status

Not on view

Label TextIn this design, Dearle demonstrates his partiality for meandering trees and leaves, usually of one particular plant. His embroidery designs were extremely popular, and the firm sold them as both completed works and kits. Dearle and Morris's daughter, May Morris, were responsible for producing designs for the firm's embroideries, which included single panels such as this one for a wall hanging. May was manager of the embroidery workshop from 1885 to 1896 and has added her notes and approved the design on the side displayed. As well as being responsible for the completion of all the embroideries sold by the firm, May also exhibited her own work and published a number of articles on the subject. Her most authoritative work, Decorative Needlework, was published in 1893.

Object number2000.5.116