Little Chintz

Designerdesigned by William Morris (British, 1834 - 1896)

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

Additional Title(s)

Printed Textile Sample

Collections

ClassificationsDECORATIVE ARTS

Dateca. 1876

Mediumlinen and cotton

Dimensions9 x 19 in. (22.9 x 48.3 cm.)

DescriptionPink pomegranate-like pattern of out of which blossom pink flowers and green acanthus-like leaves; surrounded by wedgewood blue leaf pattern dotted with small pink flowers.

Inscribedrecto right side: "RECD MORRIS & CO"; card stapled onto fabric, in black ink: "Little / Chintz / 1781"

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

Status

Not on view

Label TextLittle Chintz shows Morris using motifs similar to those in the Snakeshead fabric (on display in the entrance) with the patterns arranged in parallel rows. Morris, however, has introduced variety by making the pattern more symmetrical here than in earlier designs. Although Morris was never completely happy with the colors supplied to him by Wardle, the printworks in Staffordshire printed many Morris & Co. fabrics from 1875 to 1909. By 1878, Wardle was producing fourteen designs for Morris & Co., including Iris, Snakeshead, and Little Chintz. All three of these designs were inspired by contemporary imported Indian fabrics, which were readily available in many fashionable London shops.

Object number2000.5.122

Terms