In 1875, Morris & Co. began large-scale production of floor coverings, rugs and carpets, designed to complement an ever-popular ‘Morris’ aesthetic in Victorian Britain.
A triumph in craftsmanship on an impressive scale, these designs were hailed as some of the finest hand-knotted carpets ever produced in Britain at the time. Morris’ designs were largely inspired by his love of Eastern carpets from Persia Turkey and China, of which he amassed a great deal and used to furnish his own homes, including Red House. Featuring an array of stylised plants and flowers, carefully woven into fields of vibrant colours, the carpets were hugely popular but very expensive to the average customer. As a result, the firm began to manufacture a range of smaller and less costly alternatives to an eager market. Flowerpots were often a feature of these designs, with trailing flowers stemming out from the centre against a cream ground, and a dark blue border. These smaller rugs were frequently used as wall hangings and occasionally placed as bedside rugs in guest bedrooms.