V&A Bookmark - Crane Day Lily

Day lilies rising on long stalks in a stately vertical repeat — this is The Day Lily, designed by Walter Crane in 1897 and block-printed by Jeffrey & Co., the London firm that also printed William Morris's papers.

Crane was one of the defining figures of the Arts and Crafts movement and its first president when the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society was founded. He designed stained glass, tiles, pottery, metalwork and textiles as well as wallpaper, and produced an enormous body of pattern work across his career. Jeffrey & Co., under Metford Warner, became one of the most innovative wallpaper manufacturers in Europe precisely by employing artists like him — raising the standard of an entire industry in the process. The V&A holds examples of the original paper in more than one colourway.

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

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

• The Day Lily design by Walter Crane (1845–1915), from the V&A collection
• Originally a colour woodblock-printed wallpaper produced by Jeffrey & Co. in 1897
• Officially licensed V&A product
• Perfect for Arts and Crafts and William Morris fans, gardeners and pattern lovers
  

FAQ

• Who was Walter Crane? A British artist, illustrator and designer (1845–1915), a leading figure in the Arts and Crafts movement and the first president of the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society.
• What is The Day Lily? A wallpaper design of 1897, block-printed by Jeffrey & Co. — the firm that also printed William Morris's wallpapers. The V&A holds examples in its collection.
• 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.