Morris and Co. Tiles from Textiles: Thistle

He who has a good harvest must be content with some thistles. ~Spanish Proverb

Thistle Accent Tile and Backsplash Tiles

Thistle was first registered in 1897, a year after Morris's death, by Morris & Co under the name of John Henry Dearle. Dearle supervised other designers at Morris & Co.. Prolific though he was, from the 1880's on, all Morris & Co. designs were registered under Dearle's name, including work by May Morris and Kate Faulkner. However, Thistle is not consistent with Dearle's other work around the same time.

Thistle shows strong Morris lines, but is more stylized than a William Morris pattern. Thistle is a far simpler pattern than other Dearle patterns; it does not have the millefleur element of so many Dearle's patterns (see Golden Lily for how far Dearle can take this.) Thistle has natural lines more reminiscent of Bramble and Mallow, both by Kate Faulkner of about the same time, and which I plan to do. Perhaps later than sooner, but yes.

Thistle is available in 4.25 x 4.25, 6 x 6 inch and 8 x 8 inch tile. Thistle is seamless in both directions.

Thistle Tile Colors

Thistle comes in both traditional and non-traditional colors. Just for fun, I added an unconventional colorway in red and blue and ivory, inspired by the late Victorian era interest in the decorative arts of the far east in Britain and on the Continent, and in particular by La Japonaise, Claude Monet's 1876 painting of his blonde wife Camille in a red kimono.

Foreground colors: Desert Earth, Arctic Silvers, Summer Golds, Gold and Silver, Early Spring (Green and Lavender Blue), Winter Blues, La Japonaise

Available Background Colors: White, Ivory, Arts & Crafts blue, Black

Thistle Pricing and Specifications

Designer: Kate Faulkner, John Henry Dearle

Size: 4.25 inch tiles, 6 x 6 inch tiles, 8 x 8 inch tiles

Thistle Tile Pricing

4.25 inch square tiles: $53

6 inch square tiles: $68

8 inch square tiles: $83

How to Order Tile