Thomas Wardle (1831-1909), silk dyer and printer. He owned two printworks at Leek, the Churnet Works; used for commercial dyeing and printing, and the Hencroft Works; where he concentrated on experimental work. He was a founder member of the Silk Association and for many years its President. From 1875 he worked for William Morris at the Hencroft Works and printed fourteen of Morris's designs and also undertook the dyeing of yarns for Morris & Co.'s embroidery and carpet weaving. Wardle was very interested in Eastern patterns and travelled extensively collecting ideas. It was his voyage to the Ajanta Caves in India that inspired the design of the present set of curtains. Wardle's designs were sold through numerous outlets, such as Heal's, Liberty's and his own shop in Wardle & Co. in New Bond Street.

Wardle was an innovative and influential printer and designer. The present set of 'Ajanta' curtains is a rare and fine example of his work.

A wide collection of his prints and some textiles are in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.