ATTRIBUTED TO JOHN HENRY DEARLE (1859-1932) FOR MORRIS & CO., An embroidered 'Apple Tree' panel, early 20th century

embroidered silk
Worked in polychrome silks against a pale blue ground, the wooden frame carved with a monogram and Psalm 24:1 'the Earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof'
23 in. (58.4 cm.) long, 22³⁄₄ in. (56.6 cm.) wide, sight size

Anonymous sale; Christie's, London, 8 July 1997, lot 62.
Acquired by Ann and Gordon Getty from the above.

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Lot Essay

Embroidery pattern kits such as these could be purchased from Morris & Co. and completed at home or purchased already finished. This small panel was marketed as a cushion cover or panel for a firescreen. An examples of this pattern can be seen in the Morris & Co Embroidery Work catalogue, circa 1912, in the collection at the William Morris Gallery (J2169). This pattern is most often likened to the 'Rose Wreath' design by William Morris, exhibited at the London Arts and Crafts Exhibition in 1890 (see Linda Parry, William Morris Textiles, New York, 1994, p. 28, and also the William Morris Gallery collection, F435). John Henry Dearle took over as principal designer at Morris & Co. upon Morris's death in 1896, and his work is often based heavily in the William Morris archive of design; this work also bears striking similarities to Dearle's design 'Orchard' (see the Victoria & Albert Museum collection, E.1402-1979).