cotton ground with silk thread
The ivory ground embroidered with undulating blue leaves and flowering rose branches, in a mahogany frame
33 in. (84 cm.) high, 23 in. (54.4 cm.) wide, 8³⁄₄ in. (21.5 cm.) deep (framed)

Paul Reeves, London.
Acquired by Ann and Gordon Getty from the above in November 1995.

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Lot Essay

The design on for the present embroidery panel was created by May Morris, daughter of Arts and Crafts designer William Morris, circa 1890. Morris & Co. retailed embroidery kits in various stages of completion, some simply with traced border on cotton backing but more popularly with a small corner of the panel started with silk thread, to illustrate the technique and how to continue at home (Mason, XII.23). An unfinished example in the 'Rose Bush' pattern from circa 1900 is held in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum (accession no. CIRC.301-1960). For related examples, see A. Mason, ed., William Morris, London, 2022, p. 288, fig XII.23 and L. Hulse et al., May Morris: Arts & Crafts Designer, London, 2017, pp. 88-89, pls. 72 and 73.