Antique Arts & Crafts Rug with William Morris Hammersmith Design
This fine Antique Indian Arts & Crafts Rug features a William Morris Hammersmith design woven with lustrous wool. The rug is distinguished by a forest green background, densely adorned with an infinite repeat pattern of stylised palmettes and arabesques. This design is inspired by the well-known Hammersmith carpets, which were crafted around the turn of the century in London workshops established by the renowned William Morris (1834-1896) in Hammersmith. These carpets were designed by Morris himself, drawing inspiration from the exotic patterns of oriental rugs. Morris later collaborated with John Henry Dearle (1860-1932), who expanded the design vocabulary of Morris & Co., solidifying its reputation as a premier workshop representing the Arts & Crafts movement in rugs.
This particular carpet was sourced in India and was likely commissioned by the British during the colonial period. It is in remarkably good condition, retaining the original colours’ freshness and an almost intact, full, lustrous pile.