Textiles of the Arts & Crafts Movement

A beautiful, readable and authoritative study of one of the great periods of textile design

This is a comprehensive survey of English textiles from the era when Britain led the design world. For twenty-five years after the first Arts and Crafts Exhibition in 1888, they were shown throughout Europe and the United States, influencing designers and attracting a large public, and were sold by the most fashionable shops. The refined creations of Arthur Silver (including Liberty’s celebrated Peacock Feather), the distinctive designs of C.F.A. Voysey, the floral patterns of Lindsay Butterfield and George Haité – all are a source of delight and aesthetic inspiration.

Linda Parry examines the whole range of Arts and Crafts textiles – not only printed but woven fabrics, tapestries and carpets, embroideries and lace – and provides invaluable information on designers, manufacturers and shops. Also included are rare photographs of some of the designers and of original interiors, where the fabrics appear in use.

'Lucid exposition of the artistic and industrial background of the movement … greatly enhanced by its catalogue of designers, craftsmen, institutions … excellent plates, which convey the richness and subtlety of colour so characteristic of Arts and Crafts movement textiles'
Journal of the William Morris Society

'A must for lovers of Arts & Crafts designs, fashion students and anyone interested in the art history of British textiles'
Antiques Magazine

Contents List

Preface • Introduction • 1. The Artistic and Cultural Background • 2. The Evolution of a Style • 3. Textiles in the Arts and Crafts Exhibitions • 4. Designers, Manufacturers and Shops • Catalogue of Designers, Craftsmen, Institutions and Firms • Notes • Bibliography • Index

About the Author

Linda Parry is Deputy Keeper, Furniture, Textiles and Fashion at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.