Morris & Co. on Screen
@morris-on-screen.bsky.social
Documenting all the places Morris & Co. / #WilliamMorris patterns show up in set decoration. A little project by @smeadleonard.bsky.social. Submissions extremely welcome - tag me, DM me, or email MorrisOnScreen@gmail.com
I caught Willow Boughs in Slow Horses, but missed Strawberry Thief - will need to look again!
Slow Horses S1E1, "Failure's Contagious" (2022)
William Morris, "Willow Boughs" (1887)
William Morris, "Willow Boughs" (1887)
September 23, 2025 at 4:10 PM
I caught Willow Boughs in Slow Horses, but missed Strawberry Thief - will need to look again!
Oh wow - I just looked it up, it's great! (And as you say: very improbable.) Can't believe nobody had pointed this one out before!
September 12, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Oh wow - I just looked it up, it's great! (And as you say: very improbable.) Can't believe nobody had pointed this one out before!
However, the colorway is otherwise fairly close to one of the original 1860s versions of "Fruit", on a sky blue ground.
collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O73421/...
collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O73421/...
Fruit | Morris, William | V&A Explore The Collections
'Fruit' (or 'Pomegranate') wallpaper pattern, branches of fruit trees bearing fruit, including limes and pomegranates, on a blue ground; Block-printed in distemper colours, on paper; Part of 'Volume 1...
collections.vam.ac.uk
June 17, 2025 at 6:44 PM
However, the colorway is otherwise fairly close to one of the original 1860s versions of "Fruit", on a sky blue ground.
collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O73421/...
collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O73421/...
As noted, the paper used is a metallic version which seems to be modern. Some historic Morris papers did have shine to them, but this was either a subtle effect created with mica in the pigment or very bold embossed lacquered faux-leathers like this "Sunflower": collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O248656...
Sunflower, 108 | Morris, William | V&A Explore The Collections
Specimen of 'Sunflower, 108' wallpaper, a symmetrical, formalised pattern of sunflowers and grape vines with fruit, golden yellow with a dark ground; Colour block print, on paper; Designed by William ...
collections.vam.ac.uk
June 17, 2025 at 6:42 PM
As noted, the paper used is a metallic version which seems to be modern. Some historic Morris papers did have shine to them, but this was either a subtle effect created with mica in the pigment or very bold embossed lacquered faux-leathers like this "Sunflower": collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O248656...
This green-on-green colorway is appropriate to the general period - it's seen in Morris & Co. sample books by the turn of the 20th century. The version seen here is from one of the Brooklyn Museum sample books.
www.brooklynmuseum.org/objects/97900
www.brooklynmuseum.org/objects/97900
Wallpaper Sample Book
Wallpaper sample book, printed paper. Each sample illustrating different colors of different floral and foliate wallpaper designs by William Morris with pattern name and number on back. Bound in gre...
www.brooklynmuseum.org
June 10, 2025 at 8:02 PM
This green-on-green colorway is appropriate to the general period - it's seen in Morris & Co. sample books by the turn of the 20th century. The version seen here is from one of the Brooklyn Museum sample books.
www.brooklynmuseum.org/objects/97900
www.brooklynmuseum.org/objects/97900
Michaelmas Daisy wallpaper
Turquoise blue and ochre on deep blue green.
wmgallery.org.uk
June 5, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Sanderson introduced several new colorways to their Morris & Co. products in the late 1960s to appeal to period tastes - a common practice throughout the history of Morris patterns (see today's "Pure" monochromes, for example!). The vivid blue Michaelmas Daisy seen here is one of my very favorites.
June 5, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Sanderson introduced several new colorways to their Morris & Co. products in the late 1960s to appeal to period tastes - a common practice throughout the history of Morris patterns (see today's "Pure" monochromes, for example!). The vivid blue Michaelmas Daisy seen here is one of my very favorites.
Oh wow!! I’m actually doing deeper research on Morris & Co. in set design right now in preparation for a conference paper, so I’d love to know anything about sources or how pattern choices are made, if he’s willing to share!
May 28, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Oh wow!! I’m actually doing deeper research on Morris & Co. in set design right now in preparation for a conference paper, so I’d love to know anything about sources or how pattern choices are made, if he’s willing to share!
Ooh, I had the Marigold on my list to post but didn’t know about the Windrush, thank you!
May 28, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Ooh, I had the Marigold on my list to post but didn’t know about the Windrush, thank you!
Here's "The Sleeping Beauty" at the V&A - a similar style to Morris in the roses, but with a fantasy element in the small figures that is very at odds with Morris's design philosophies.
collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O224318...
collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O224318...
Sleeping Beauty | Crane, Walter | V&A Explore The Collections
Portion of nursery wallpaper 'Sleeping Beauty', depicting Sleeping Beauty lying in a hamock amidst briar roses, surrounded by various figures and animals, including a knight in armour, a dog and a pea...
collections.vam.ac.uk
May 27, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Here's "The Sleeping Beauty" at the V&A - a similar style to Morris in the roses, but with a fantasy element in the small figures that is very at odds with Morris's design philosophies.
collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O224318...
collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O224318...
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark also features a paper by Morris's contemporary and friend Walter Crane, "The Sleeping Beauty" from 1879.
Shout out to @petrabclark.bsky.social for this spotting!
Shout out to @petrabclark.bsky.social for this spotting!
May 27, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark also features a paper by Morris's contemporary and friend Walter Crane, "The Sleeping Beauty" from 1879.
Shout out to @petrabclark.bsky.social for this spotting!
Shout out to @petrabclark.bsky.social for this spotting!