Oriental Rugs Dictionary
William Moris
William Morris (1834–1896) was an English designer, writer, and key figure of the Arts and Crafts movement. He played a major role in the revival of traditional textile arts, including carpet weaving, emphasizing hand craftsmanship, natural dyes, and medieval-inspired designs. Carpets associated with William Morris are known for their stylized floral patterns, balanced compositions, and harmonious color palettes, and represent an important development in Western textile design. Poet, politician and designer, William Morris played a cardinal role in the creative life and the decorative arts of Great Britain. He purified the cultured opulence of the Victorian era and cleared the way for modern developments, beginning with Arts and Crafts movement. His own distinctive style can be recognized by its dense yet simplified compositions, flat patterns, spring fresh palette, and gracefully stylized imagery based on English field and garden flowers. He executed hand knotted carpets whose Persian influence is quite obvious, including a central medallion, large arabesque and fleuron.
