William Morris: Fruit (Pomegranate) 1862 Arts & Crafts Print

Introduce an atmosphere of rich historic luxury, dramatic contrast, and organic symmetry into your home with this stunning dark edition of Fruit (also widely known as Pomegranate), one of the foundational wallpaper patterns designed by the legendary master of the British Arts & Crafts Movement, William Morris. First designed in 1862, this iconic botanical composition represents a watershed moment in interior design history. This particular variation showcases the pattern set against a deep, velvety charcoal-black backdrop, creating a remarkably bold, modern, and high-contrast look that makes the bright, antique colors pop with incredible intensity.

The print displays an incredibly lush, densely packed repeat pattern of fruit-bearing branches winding elegantly across the canvas. Morris masterfully arranges a medieval orchard bounty, combining ripening pomegranates—some split open to reveal delicate pink and red seeds—with plump yellow lemons, fuzzy peaches, and opening blossoms. Hidden within the solid black background is a subtle, micro-fine repeating outline pattern of swirling stems and smaller leaves, adding a sophisticated layer of hidden texture to the negative space. The foliage is a symphony of natural greens, using olive, sage, and forest hues accented by dark, hand-inked leaf veins that provide remarkable clarity and structural definition against the stark background.

The Artist & Style: The Genesis of Morris & Co.

Designed shortly after the founding of Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. in 1861, Fruit demonstrates William Morris’s genius for creating complex repeating patterns without forcing nature into rigid, artificial lines. Inspired by the abundance of tapestries found in medieval manor houses and the natural beauty of his own garden at the Red House in Kent, Morris rejected the fussy, realistic three-dimensional floral trends of the Victorian era. Instead, he favored a flattened perspective, crisp outlines, and honest colorways. This dark variation beautifully highlights the clean, graphic lines of his original hand-carved pearwood printing blocks.

Styling Your Space

This vibrant, historically significant, and wonderfully moody botanical print makes an exquisite addition to a variety of interior settings:

• The Kitchen, Dining Room, or Breakfast Nook: A brilliant statement piece; the rich fruit iconography naturally complements spaces centered around food, gathering, and warmth.

• Living Rooms, Studies, & Bedrooms: The dark charcoal background provides a striking, gallery-curated focal point when styled above a natural wood credenza, a leather sofa, or framed as a large focal piece.

• Maximalist & Moodier Interiors: The layered, high-contrast design harmonizes beautifully with rich jewel tones, velvet textiles, rustic pottery, and brass accents.

Premium Craftsmanship & Features

• Museum-Grade Giclée: We use state-of-the-art archival pigment inks to preserve the rich, solid depth of the charcoal background, the warm pinks of the split pomegranates, and the delicate background linework.

• Archival Fine Art Paper: Printed on premium 200gsm heavy-weight, acid-free matte paper, providing a smooth, glare-free finish that accentuates the flat, ink-stamped quality characteristic of historic woodblock wallpapers.

• Period Fidelity: Carefully calibrated to maintain the original lithographic color alignment, natural block-print textures, and authentic design boundary details from the 1860s master files.

Find out more about William Morris' iconic legacy here - The Radical Vision of William Morris: Artist, Activist, and Father of Modern Design

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