Loddon

Designerdesigned by William Morris (British, 1834 - 1896)

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

Additional Title(s)

Printed Cotton Sample

Collections

ClassificationsDECORATIVE ARTS

DateRegistered 1884

Mediumprinted cotton

Dimensions5 1/4 x 19 3/8 in. (13.3 x 49.2 cm.) sewn under: 1/4 in. (0.6 cm.)

DescriptionWhite ground, pink vines with green acanthus-like leaves and pink flowers of various varieties.

Inscribedright edge: "REDC"

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

Status

Not on view

Label TextThis was one in a series of fabrics named for the various tributaries of the Thames river. Others included Wandle, Medway, Lea, Wey, and Evenlode. Morris has used familiar British flowers in the design, including the carnation, tulip, and English rose. The drawing may have been used either to train apprentices in the printing workshops or designed as an aid for the block-cutters to give greater clarity of details. The firm often sold several color variations, or "colorways," of a particular fabric, as seen in these three samples of Loddon. The Huntington William Morris Collection also contains samples of six colorways of Lea.

Object number2000.5.509