Merton Abbey

PHOTOGRAPHS OF MORRIS AND COMPANY

Merton Abbey

Carpet-knotters at Merton Abbey. Photographed in the 1890s.

Although most of Morris & Company’s workforce was male, women were employed in the embroidery and carpet/rug-making sections of the firm. Morris initially used outside manufacturers to carry out his carpet designs, but in 1877 he started experimenting with hand-knotting techniques and by 1879 had set up looms in the coach-house and stable adjoining his house at Hammersmith. In 1881 production was transferred to Merton Abbey. From the makers’ names listed for Morris & Co.’s carpet and rug exhibits at the Arts & Crafts Exhibitions of the 1880s/90s, it seems that a number of sisters were employed and that the women were unmarried.