William Morris had a profound interest in Islamic art, collecting objects including carpets, textiles, metalwork and ceramics from regions like Iran, Syria and Turkey. He advised the V&A on acquiring Islamic art, including the Ardabil Carpet on display at the museum’s South Kensington site.

To mark the launch of the groundbreaking new exhibition, William Morris and Art from the Islamic World, Max Donnelly (Curator of Furniture, V&A) will chair a discussion with the show’s co-curators Rowan Bain (Principal Curator, William Morris Gallery) and Qaisra M. Khan (Curator of Islamic Art, The Khalili Collections). They will share fresh insights into Morris’s collection and its impact on his designs.

William Morris Gallery celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2025. This is the first in a series of anniversary talks being held at institutions across the UK during this landmark year.

Image: Nicola Tree © William Morris Gallery