ticketsMember | Make a donation

Trellis

1864
Not on view
This was William Morris's first wallpaper design, conceived in 1862 shortly after the formation of Morris, Marshall, Faulkner, and Company. The pattern communicates an essential naturalism, weaving a vine-like rose bush through a trellis. The imagery was inspired by a trellised rose in Morris's garden at the Red House, Bexleyheath, Kent. The architect Phillip Webb, who designed the latter house, also collaborated here by designing the blue jays. Delays in production meant that the pattern became the third that the company offered for sale, in 1864. Here, a gray trellis, pink roses and blue birds are printed against a cream ground. The company also offered variation with blue or gray backgrounds from 1868.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Trellis
  • Designer: William Morris (British, Walthamstow, London 1834–1896 Hammersmith, London)
  • Designer: Birds designed by Philip Webb (British, Oxford 1831–1915 West Sussex)
  • Manufacturer: Morris & Company
  • Printer: Jeffrey & Co. (London)
  • Date: 1864
  • Medium: Block-printed in distemper colors
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 27 x 21 1/2 in. (68.6 x 54.6 cm)
  • Classification: Wallpaper
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Edward C. Moore Jr. Gift, 1923
  • Object Number: 23.163.4h
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Holland Park carpet, William Morris British, Wool<br/>Turkish (Ghiordes) knot, 25 to the square inch., British, Merton Abbey or Hammersmith
Holland Park carpet
William Morris
late 19th century
Tulip and Lily, William Morris British, Wool, British
Tulip and Lily
William Morris
Heckmondwike Manufacturing Company, Yorkshire, England
designed ca. 1875
Curtain, William Morris British, Cotton, woven, American or British
Curtain
William Morris
ca. 1882
Honeysuckle, William Morris British, Linen, British
Honeysuckle
William Morris
design registered 1876, printed 1876–77
Panel of floral embroidery, William Morris British, Silk on silk; linen backing, British
Panel of floral embroidery
William Morris
Catherine Holiday
ca. 1875–80

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.