Larkspur

Larkspur is one of William Morris' most reproduced wallpaper designs and has been through several re-inventions since his initial design was completed in 1874.

This popular piece has several versions in major art galleries and museums, including the V&A in London and also The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Morris made use of the services of Jeffrey & Co. in order to manufacture the design and sell it to the public as his initial efforts to produce wallpaper himself were unsuccessful. Jeffrey & Co had a solid and respected history in the manufacture of wallpaper and were also based fairly close to where Morris was living, making them the obvious choice to take on these commissions.

It is believed that there was originally a version from 1872 of Larkspur that was monotone in colour and then Morris decided to extend it with richer colours and a greater depth of detail. This would prove a far more popular design and still is reproduced within the UK today. One particular company owns the original wood blocks and uses them to put the manufactured wallpaper together. Larkspur features the signature elements of William Morris' wallpaper designs, with delicate flowers interspersed with winding leaves and branches. This piece does, however, serve as a particularly memorable piece, though. This is partly due to the colours added by him in the mid-1870s as well as the particular arrangement of content to be found here.