The Unfinished Works Collection

Walthamstow, an area of great significance to William Morris, is an adaptation of an artwork for carpet held at The Huntington. Its vertical border, sketched initially in graphite, contains stylized honeysuckles, which the design team has incorporated into this beautifully translated pattern with mirroring indicative of the typical 19th-century style. Honeysuckles, daisies, and acanthus leaves all swirl together in a striking repeat, edged by a checkerboard border. Digitally printed, Walthamstow is also available as a flat-bed printed fabric.

Named after Norbury Brook, a tributary of the River Wandle, the ogee-shaped design lends itself to the river's ebb and flow. Originally a woven hanging in an ecclesiastical style, Norbury features a detailed floral border and leafy damask structure printed on a textural hemp blend base cloth in rich heritage colorways. This reinterpretation remains faithful to its woven beginnings, and the combination of weave structure and contrasting yarns evokes the feeling of a treasured antique tapestry.

A design by the artistic hands of John Henry Dearle, Cornflower is a bold composition in his signature vine-like style. The central floral motifs and characteristic dotted ground remain true to Dearle's distinctive approach. An inscription in the margin of the original archive document reads, "Will something like this do, for the suggested staircase paper, a la vine tapestry? H.D.," signaling the wonderful artist-to-artist connection this collection embraces across the centuries. Printed on 100% hemp cloth, Cornflower is a celebration of florals featuring tulips, acanthus, daisies, and of course, the cornflower itself.

Tulips, frequently appearing in the Morris & Co. archive, are seen in this Huntington document where leafy vines fill the ground and vertical scrollwork is interspersed with stylized flowers. Possibly the hand of John Henry Dearle, identifiable through the conical stamens of the central flowerheads, this design is reminiscent of 'Golden Lily.' 'Wild Tulip & Vine' depicts at its center a winding runner of daffodils to anchor the design, guiding the eye along a gentle, rhythmic path and drawing subtle parallels with 'Wandle.' This design is beautifully reimagined in a full-coverage embroidery. Richly stitched with a subtle sheen that catches the light, the embroidery is set against a pure linen ground. This natural texture enhances the elegance of the design, creating a luxurious drape that feels timeless and refined.

Retaining the striking shield motif of the original document, Iris & Rose celebrates both flowers in a richly ornamental design. Central to the pattern, the iris features within and beyond the shield motif while roses sit delicately across the ground. Vine leaves weave through the background, and the shield's dotted detailing adds a playful charm. Iris & Rose is surflex printed.

Woodbell & Anemone features a figure-of-eight shape, creating a simple ogee pattern. The document was originally a small sketch consisting of an anemone as the central motif surrounded by bluebells. The pattern has been completed in full color for surface printing. This technique creates a similar ink mark to an original block-printed wallpaper, producing a lovely reticulation to the final finish.