Ixia

Dearle produced thirty original designs for woven textiles over his forty-five year career as designer for the firm. When the firm introduced steam-powered looms in the twentieth century, Dearle's designs began to assume a stronger mechanical appearance. The mirror repeats of the Ixia pattern, however, show the continuing influence of Persian pattern techniques on Morris & Co. textiles. Ogee-shaped compartments are outlined by the stylized blue fronds and recall the acanthus leaves used in Dearle's earlier wallpaper patterns. Dearle's notes in pencil on the drawing indicate that the design may have been considered for both wallpaper and chintz.