Peony

In this design, Dearle demonstrates his partiality for meandering trees and leaves, usually of one particular plant. His embroidery designs were extremely popular, and the firm sold them as both completed works and kits. Dearle and Morris's daughter, May Morris, were responsible for producing designs for the firm's embroideries, which included single panels such as this one for a wall hanging. May was manager of the embroidery workshop from 1885 to 1896 and has added her notes and approved the design on the side displayed. As well as being responsible for the completion of all the embroideries sold by the firm, May also exhibited her own work and published a number of articles on the subject. Her most authoritative work, Decorative Needlework, was published in 1893.