Lot Essay
For a thorough discussion of Morris & Co. Merton Abbey Tapestries, see Parry, Linda, William Morris Textiles, 1983, p.100-127.
Both the "St. Cecilia" and "St. Agnes" tapestries were originally woven by Morris & Co. in 1887 for Sir Thomas Wardle and were exhibited at the Manchester Centenary Exhibition. Both designs were re-woven in 1888-1889. The "St. George" tapestry was also originally designed and woven in 1887, with other examples woven in 1895 and 1900. As of 1983, Parry notes that no surviving examples of the "St. George" tapestry have been found. Therefore, it is possible that the current example is unique in its existence (see Parry, Linda, op. cit., p. 112). All three designs are adapted from designs Burne Jones originally completed for stained glass windows; "St. Cecilia" in 1875 for the east window of St. George's Chapel, Christchurch Cathedral, Oxford, "St. Agnes" in 1877 for St. Helen's Church, Welton near Brough, Yorkshire, and "St. George", circa 1880 (see Parry, op. cit., p.112, footnote 35).
Both the "St. Cecilia" and "St. Agnes" tapestries were originally woven by Morris & Co. in 1887 for Sir Thomas Wardle and were exhibited at the Manchester Centenary Exhibition. Both designs were re-woven in 1888-1889. The "St. George" tapestry was also originally designed and woven in 1887, with other examples woven in 1895 and 1900. As of 1983, Parry notes that no surviving examples of the "St. George" tapestry have been found. Therefore, it is possible that the current example is unique in its existence (see Parry, Linda, op. cit., p. 112). All three designs are adapted from designs Burne Jones originally completed for stained glass windows; "St. Cecilia" in 1875 for the east window of St. George's Chapel, Christchurch Cathedral, Oxford, "St. Agnes" in 1877 for St. Helen's Church, Welton near Brough, Yorkshire, and "St. George", circa 1880 (see Parry, op. cit., p.112, footnote 35).