Forty of the Victorian master's most famous designs for wallpapers, chintzes, velveteens, tapestries, tiles, carpets, and more. Reproduced from original color plates of The Art of William Morris.

A miniature edition of William Morris designs.

A true Renaissance man, William Morris mastered every art and craft to which he set his hand, revelling in designs, patterns, colours and textures, and placing his stamp on sumptuous books, rugs, embroidery, wallpaper, stained glass, tapestries, curtains and furniture. The patterns and designs drawn together here show both the nuances and breadth of William Morris's visions, combining intricacy and simplicity; alternatingly dramatic and demure, dark and light, curved and angular, in a virtual dance of superb interwoven shapes.

The twenty-six plates in this collection have been chosen to represent a broad cross-section of Morris's patterns for furnishing textiles and wallpapers, and the large format makes it possible to study the designs as they were first created. Norah Gillow's Introduction provides an informative background to the artist and the work of his company, Morris and Co.

From a rare sourcebook: more than 250 superb designs depicting decorative letters, elaborate floral borders, body type, and delicate woodcut illustrations. Together with a smaller selection of full-color designs once used in wallpaper, tapestries and other domestic accessories, the handsome motifs offer a vast storehouse of ideas. 291 designs, 40 in full color.

"Twentieth-Century Pattern Design combines photographs - including many newly published images - with soundly researched text, creating an essential resource for enthusiasts and historians of modern design. The book also serves as a creative sourcebook for students and designers, inspiring new flights of fancy in pattern design."--Jacket.