May Morris for Morris & Co.

embroidered silk, bearing the inscription, 'Lo silken my garden & silken my sky and silken the. apple. bough hanging on high'

Linda Parry, William Morris Textiles, London, 1983, p. 32
Barbara Morris, Victorian Embroidery, London, 1962, p. 110, p. 177 (for a related example of a portière now kept in the Victoria & Albert collections)

A rare and fine piece. Background silk is a delicate shade of green and not blue as suggested by the catalogue illustration. Contrasts overall are better than suggested by the illustration. Piece is currently hung from a tubular pole. Covering to reverse of piece heavily distressed. Silk ground to front with numerous overall horizontal splits, as can partially be made out in the catalogue illustration. Lower right tassels now partially detached. Stitching itself in much better condition, stable and colours fresh. A few areas where the stitching has come undone. An exceptional quality piece which fully justifies remedial work. An independent conservators report, detailing costs of stabilisation and repair, is available upon request. Further images upon request
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This piece belongs to a group of hangings produced by May Morris and her embroiderers titled 'The Flower Garden' or alternatively 'Fruit Garden'. There are a number of versions of the design which feature the same floral decoration but with differing inscriptions. All are taken from William Morris's poem 'The Flowering Orchard' which was published in 1891, after he had exhibited a 'Flower Garden' embroidery at the Arts and Crafts exhibition in 1890.
Other versions were produced by Morris & Co. between 1892 and 1896 and the design was also available as a kit to embroider at home. One example was ordered by Mrs Theodosia Middlemore (now in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London) and another by Mrs Barr-Smith of Adelaide. Further examples are in the Museum of Fine Art in Boston. The kits cost £9 in 1896 whereas completed examples, made under May Morris's supervision at her house in Hammermsith Terrace, cost £96.10s.

We are grateful to Linda Parry for her assistance with the cataloguing of this lot.