William Morris And Arts & Crafts Rugs
The late 19th and early 20th centuries were arguably the most dazzling eras of British rug weaving. William Morris and Arts & Crafts rugs from that time period exemplify the highest standards of artistry and craftsmanship. Arts & Crafts aspired to bridge the gap between artistic expression and quality rug construction. Designs from this golden age ranged from vintage Persian-style to early forms of modern concepts.
Arts & Crafts first began influencing British rug design in the 1870s. It wasn’t long before the eye-catching patterns gained popularity and spread throughout Europe and North America. The style of ornamentation has been described as feudal, romantic, and folksy. Designers aimed to incorporate traditional craftsmanship and simple methodology to create a breath-taking final product. The term “Arts & Crafts” was first used in 1887 by T. J. Cobden-Sanderson, and English artist and bookbinder famously associated with the Arts & Crafts movement. The Arts & Crafts movement was inspired by a degradation of product standards that resulted from the factory-production age. The rise of machinery in manufacturing caused a noticeable decline in uniqueness and craft. Anti-industrial reformers promoted economic advancement and social change. They wanted to eliminate poor quality and artificial items from 19th century British society. They saw a plethora of uninteresting items on display at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and became inspired to launch a campaign for originality and freshness.
William Morris was an English textile designer, as well as an uplifting social activist and writer. Morris is credited with sparking the rebirth of textile arts and traditional means of production. In 1861, Morris and a small group of designers, opened an incredibly fashionable design company that grew to become largely successful.
William Morris designed fabric, wallpaper, furniture, and curtains. In 1875, he took over the entire company, renaming it Morris & Co. Morris famously stated that crafting rugs with machinery was “altogether an evil. ” He masterminded one of the most well-known styles of Arts & Crafts, recognizable by its twisting and arching patterns and simple, elegant floral prints. Morris & Co. ’s rugs are reminiscent of Persian luxury and smartly styled depictions of English gardens. The hand-knotted rugs were made of wool and silk, or in some cases, wool and mohair. Cotton was introduced to the rugs’ construction in 1880. Donegal, Ireland also started producing highly desirable rugs in the late 19th century. These rugs were created by English architect C. F. A. Voysey and Alexander Morton. The hand-crafter rugs typically originated in England, Scotland, and Ireland. Voysey’s had a knack for using contrasting shapes to decorate flat monochromatic spaces. Dark outlines added a flair of drama to his signature pattern. The first Donegal rugs were hand-knotted over a dense wool foundation. Voysey’s designs inspired many other artists, leading to the appearance of a large volume of lookalike rugs.
Arts & Crafts-style rugs have been reproduced in countries like Turkey, China and India. These rugs experienced a renewed wave of popularity in the 1990s. To this day, they stand as an inspiration for a wide range of productions.
