V&A Bookmark - Acanthus

Great scrolling acanthus leaves, curling over one another in layers — one of William Morris's boldest and most recognisable patterns, and a turning point in his work.

Morris drew Acanthus in 1874 and registered it with Morris & Co. in July 1875. It was the design where he went big: a repeat of 66cm, requiring thirty separate woodblocks to print a single repeat, which made it one of the firm's most expensive papers at sixteen shillings a roll. All that labour bought something remarkable — a depth and three-dimensionality that no earlier Morris wallpaper had. The acanthus leaf itself is an ancient motif, carved into the capitals of Corinthian columns long before Morris got hold of it, and he returned to it again and again.

A handsome small gift for anyone who loves William Morris, Arts and Crafts design, or a pattern with real presence.

Come and see the full V&A range in the shop in Canterbury — there's always more on the shelves than we can fit online.

Key features

• Acanthus design by William Morris (1834–1896), from the V&A collection
• Scrolling acanthus leaves — one of Morris's most iconic patterns
• Designed 1874, registered for Morris & Co. in 1875; required 30 woodblocks per repeat
• Officially licensed V&A product
• Perfect for William Morris and Arts and Crafts fans, gardeners and pattern lovers
  

FAQ

• Who was William Morris? The central figure of the British Arts and Crafts movement (1834–1896) — designer, writer and craftsman, and founder of Morris & Co.
• What is Acanthus? A wallpaper Morris designed in 1874 and registered in 1875, notable for its large scale and the thirty woodblocks needed to print one repeat.
• What is an acanthus? A Mediterranean plant whose bold, scrolling leaves have been a decorative motif since classical antiquity — most famously on Corinthian columns.
• Is it an official V&A product? Yes, produced under licence from the Victoria and Albert Museum.
• Is it suitable as a gift? Yes — a lovely small gift on its own, and light enough to post inside a card.