Morris & Co. An Important Lost Carpet for 1 Holland Park, circa 1883

The royal blue field with central cream floral motif and all over scrolling vine and flowerhead pattern in cream and sky blue, enclosed by a scrolling leaf border with a flowing strawberry red vine and forest green tendrils with large leaves in sky and royal blue. 508cm x 131cm - Estimate: £40,000 - 60,000

Footnote: This carpet was commissioned by Alexander Ionides for his home at 1 Holland Park and can be seen in situ, positioned in the Marble Hall, in this period photograph, taken for The Studio, XII, 1897.

Alexander Ionides was of the third generation of a Greek merchant family and was a strong supporter of the British Aesthetics movement. He commissioned some of the leading lights of the movement to decorate and furnish 1 Holland Park, including Thomas Jeckyll, Walter Crane, Phillip Webb and his business associate and friend William Morris.

Through his family's connections to the Ottoman Empire, Ionides supplied the natural dyes that Morris & Co relied so much on for their bold and striking textile works.

The carpet can also be seen in 'Arts and Crafts Carpets' by Malcom Haslam, publ. David Black, 1991, pg 74

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Bonhams. Lalique Glass and Design 1860-1945, 28 Nov 2007. New Bond Street