The firm Morris and Co. was established in 1875, when William Morris (1834-1896) became the sole proprietor of Morris, Marshall, Faulkner and Co., which had been founded in 1861. Morris, the poet, theorist, novelist, publisher, designer and interior decorator, is more famously known as the father of the Arts and Crafts movement. His fascination with tapestry-making led him to study French medieval tapestries in the 1850s and in the 1870s to experiment with weaving in his Kelmscott House bedroom, in Hammersmith, London. It was in 1881 that he embarked on producing tapestries commercially from his Merton Abbey, Wandsworth workshops.

'The Rulers of England' tapestry frieze was designed by John Byam Shaw ARWS RI (1872-1919), the Pre-Raphaelite painter, decorator and illustrator. The tapestries were woven by Mrs Orage and her apprentices on a high warp loom at 449 Oxford Street, London, in 1915-16, as a means of demonstrating weaving techniques to customers. The former tapestry works at Merton Abbey had been closed owing to a shortage of staff during the War. The subject of the frieze reflects the patriotism of wartime and also epitomises the romantic historicism that was central to the Arts and Crafts movement. It represents sovereigns from Boadicea to George attended to by historical figures of their respective periods, interspersed with badges and emblems designed by Morris and Co. It was purchased by Mr T. Roberts for his dining room in Folkestone and was to be displayed as a frieze above white painted panelling.

We are grateful to Peter Cormack of the William Morris Gallery, London for his expertise relating to this lot.