Donegal Carpet, attributed to Alexander Morton & Company The tomato red field with an allover...

Donegal Carpet, attributed to Alexander Morton & Company
The tomato red field with an allover lattice design of angular stylised vines enclosed by indigo borders of meandering floral vines and plain red guard stripe, 381cm by 362cm See illustration

ALEXANDER MORTON/DONEGAL CARPETS

Alexander Morton (1844-1923) established a highly successful, family run textile company in Scotland during the last quarter of the nineteenth century. Like many other wealthy industrialists and successful business men of this era he developed an interest in Oriental carpets. Following a period of research, and seeing a commercial opportunity Morton set up looms in Killibegs, County Donegal, Ireland in the 1890's. Local wool, labour and dyes were used. Within five years the firm employed up to six hundred weavers. At the outset carpets of oriental design, particularly those from the Anatolian town of Ushak were produced. Room size carpets were mainly produced with smaller rugs and runners being few in number. By 1903 these carpets were exhibited at Liberty's in London. Arts and Crafts designs predominated. The production proved successful and Morton carpets were exported worldwide.

CFA Voysey produced designs for Mortons from the mid 1890's and although the above carpet is not typical of his designs it does show one classic design feature found on many pieces of Voysey furniture - the heart shaped motifs seen in the large flower heads within the main borders.