WILLIAM MORRIS (1834-1896)

The present carpet bears a likeness to the 'Holland Park' carpet designed by William Morris in 1883 for the house of Alexander Ionides at 1 Holland Park. The foliate borders are identical and the central design with floral sprays and swirling tendrils is similar, but differs in the flowers used as well as the central motif's shape as a square rather than the 'Holland Park' carpet's circular device. Three versions of this carpet are known, including the version designed for Percy Wynham's Salisbury house known as 'Clouds' in 1885. The 'Holland Park' carpet can be found in the permanent collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (acc. no. 27.139.3).