William Morris Hand-Blocked Sunflower Wallpaper Panel

First designed in 1879, the William Morris ‘Sunflower’ wallpaper pattern has lasting appeal and has been printed for many generations of wallpaper enthusiasts. The sunflower as a design motif became extremely popular in the late 19th century in conjunction with the Arts & Crafts and Aesthetic Movements, which looked to nature for design inspiration. In 1940, Morris & Co. closed and their woodblocks and designs were acquired by Arthur Sanderson & Sons, who continues to print the wallpapers even today. This edition of the ‘Sunflower’ wallpaper was printed in the mid-20th century and features a vibrant red and olive colorway, a far cry from the natural palette of Morris’s original design.

Dimensions: 52 3/8 in. H x 21 1/4 in. W (133.2 cm H x 54.2 cm W)
Condition: Very good. Paper with slight warping. Framing prong overlaps wallpaper in two areas (see image). Not examined out of frame.

References:
Smithsonian, Cooper Hewitt, 1977-28-15-a/f
William Morris Gallery, B109

Literature:
Mary Schoeser, The Art of Wallpaper: Morris & Co in Context (Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK: ACC Art Books Ltd. 2022), pattern illustrated p. 85, no. 75.

“Morris Wall-Papers by Morris & Company Ltd.” (London: William Morris & Co. 1909), pattern illustrated p. 9.

William Morris by Himself: Designs and Writings, ed. Gillian Naylor (London: Little, Brown & Co, 2001), pattern illustrated pp. 198-99.

Note:
We have three William Morris wallpaper panels available (see last image) and we’re happy to sell them as a set. Please message us for more information.