William Morris Snakeshead Floral Classic Botanical Notebook

This is a digitally enhanced version of William Morris's Snakeshead(1876-1877) famous pattern. William Morris's "Snakeshead" is a botanical textile design that reflects the designer’s deep admiration for nature and his dedication to handcrafted artistry. The design features an intricate and stylised pattern of a distinctive flower known as the snakeshead fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris). The flowers, with their unique chequerboard pattern on the petals, are depicted in a flowing, organic arrangement, creating a sense of rhythm and movement within the composition. The flowers are accompanied by gracefully curling stems and leaves, which enhance the naturalistic yet stylised beauty of the piece. The colour palette used in "Snakeshead" is muted and earthy, with shades of purple, green, and brown, typical of Morris’s designs. The combination of soft colours and detailed lines gives the design a rich, textured appearance. The organic forms and careful attention to detail are typical of the Arts and Crafts movement, where Morris aimed to revive traditional craftsmanship and push back against the mechanisation of design. "Snakeshead" captures the elegance of the natural world while incorporating the timeless, vintage aesthetic that was central to Morris's vision.