The Summons

This tapestry was designed by Edward Burne-Jones, J. H. Dearle and William Morris and was woven by Morris & Company in their studio at Merton Abbey, Surrey, around 1895. The original tapestry was commissioned by William Knox DArcy to decorate his house, Stanmore Hall in Middlesex.

Inspired from the ancient legends of King Arthur, the scene represents the summoning of the King and his knights by a young damsel whilst partaking of a repast.

The mille-fleurs (thousand flowers) in the foreground is derived from medieval tapestries, and was designed by J.H.Dearle, providing a gothic atmosphere to the scene. Although the theme is not intended to depict any particular period of history, the costumes are based on styles from the Middle Ages, the Arthurian legends having evolved over a long period of time. The figures were designed by Burne-Jones and the heraldry by William Morris. The original tapestry can be viewed at the Birmingham Museum, and measures 244x362cm (8×12).
This beautiful tapestry is woven on a jacquard loom by skilled weavers, keeping alive the centuries old tradition of tapestry manufacturing from generation to generation. This tapestry is fully lined incorporating a sleeve along the top for hanging with a Fleur de Lys hanging rod. Alternatively, this tapestry can be hung with a wooden batten which is a concealed method of hanging.

Dimensions               88 x 154 cm
Tapestry Type           Loom Woven
Loom Woven In       Belgium
Composition            52% polyester cotton, 42% viscose, 3% polyester, 3% polyamide