Marigold

“Marigold” is a famous pattern designed by William Morris in 1875. It was used to produce both wallpaper and fabric. The pattern features a repeating floral motif of marigolds in dull yellow on natural silk twill. It was a complex piece, in terms of detail, but the smaller amount of colors used ensured it was cheaper to use in the manufacturing process. This is likely to have been the first of Morris’s patterns to be printed by Wardle at Leek, although the first color experiments for this design are dated 25 November 1875.

William Morris (1834-1896) was a British artist, designer, writer, and social activist who was also a multifaceted figure known for his contributions to various fields, including textile design, wallpaper, furniture, stained glass, and book arts. Morris was passionate about reviving traditional craftsmanship and rejected the mass-produced, industrialized goods of the Victorian era. He advocated for the creation of handcrafted, beautifully designed objects that combined functionality with aesthetic appeal. His firm, Morris & Co., became renowned for producing high-quality, handcrafted decorative arts and furnishings. Beyond his contributions to design, Morris was a prolific writer and poet.