William Morris Forest Rabbit Bird Foliage Pink Napkins

Decorating this product is a beautiful pattern created between 1880 and 1881 by William Morris (1834 – 1896) and registered in 1882. The original pattern was Indigo-discharged and block-printed on plain cotton weave at Morris’ Merton Abbey workshop. The design boasts forest scenery with rabbits, birds, trees and intricately interlaced foliage. Morris, as an artist and designer, was the greatest single influence on the Arts and Crafts movement and the most successful textile designer and manufacturer of his day. He was highly influenced by historic patterns and was one of the most knowledgeable textile historians of the late 19th century. It is said that Morris got the inspiration for this design from Brer Rabbit, one of the books in the Uncle Remus series written by American children’s book author Joel Chandler Harris.