Arts & Crafts framed textile

Jacquard woven silk, wool and cotton

Woven by Alexander Morton & Co

Circa 1900

Design attributed to C.F.A Voysey

Height 106cm Width 70cm

Unframed Height 98cm Width 72cm

A similar design ‘The Wykehamist’ was designed by CFA Voysey in 1897 for Alexander Morton, an example of which can be seen in the V&A archives.

Alexander Morton (1844-1923) founded the company in 1867, employing several weavers to produce pieces from their homes in Scotland. The business flourished and soon he was supplying to shops from Glasgow to London. Together with his cousin and brother, Alexander expanded the business in 1881, opening a factory in Nottinghamshire with 24 powered looms. By 1896 the production of heavy-weight woollen fabrics and three-ply carpeting was underway, followed by the weaving of double cloths made from mixtures of silk, wool and cotton. In 1898 he opened the first carpet factory in Donegal.

The firm had contracts with amongst others, CFA Voysey, Harry Napper, The Silver Studios, Baillie Scott, Morris & Co, Wylie & Lochhead and Liberty’s. A large collection of these fabrics is held at the V&A.