Brass rubbing
Object number
KM291
Artist/Designer/Maker
William Morris - maker
Production date
circa 1870
Production place
England
Great Coxwell
Great Coxwell
Material
wax
paper
paper
Technique
rubbed
Dimensions
height (frame): 93cm
width (frame): 109cm
depth (frame): 4.5cm
width (frame): 109cm
depth (frame): 4.5cm
Location
Kelmscott Manor - (on display)
Inscriptions
Inscription content
heꝛe lieth Willm Moꝛys ∫ũtyme fermeꝛ of coky∫well/ on Who∫e ∫oule ihñ have mercy amen
Inscription content
here lieth Johane the Wyf of Willm Morys/ on Who∫e ∫oule ihñ have mercy amen
References
Reference (free text)
Briggs, R. C. H., Annual Report of the William Morris Society (London: 1959). Quoted in: Henderson, Philip, William Morris – His Life, Work and Friends. (London: Andre Deutsch, 1986) pp225-226
Reference note
“At the end of the inscription below Johane’s figure is a leaf that fills in the line”, observes Mr R.C.H. Briggs. “The resemblance between the form and employment of this and one of the Kelmscott Press leaf ornaments, as well as between the flower on the brass and the first watermark for Kelmscott Handmade paper, leaves little doubt that Morris, when making his designs, remembered the old brasses at Great Coxwell.”
Mr R. C. H. Briggs was secretary and trustee of the William Morris Society.
Reference (free text)
Morris, M., ed. William Morris – The Collected Works, Volume VIII (London: Longmans Green and Company, 1913) Introduction p XXVII
Reference (free text)
British History Online, ‘Parishes: Great Coxwell’, (1924)
Reference (free text)
Mackail, JW, The Life of William Morris (New York: Dover Publications, 1995) p13
Brass rubbing taken by William Morris in the 1870's. From a memorial brass in Great Coxwell Church commemorating 'William Morys sumtyme fermer of Cokyswell' and Johane his wife, c. 1510.