Cleveland Museum of Art

Snakeshead

William Morris

Date

Early 20th century

Medium

plain weave cotton, printed

Culture

England, Walthamstow, Early 20th century

Department

Textiles

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

When Morris designed Snakeshead in 1877, Indian silks were in style and widely imported from British India. This design stands out for its diminutive motifs and the strong red and black colors, which were fashionable only for a short time before paler hues regained favor with clients. While its color scheme suggests distant lands with warmer climates, the pattern showcases one of Morris’s favorite flowers: the fritillary, a wildflower that he remembered growing in the meadows near Oxford.

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