William Morris's interests were wide-ranging: he was a poet, writer, political and social activist, conservationist and businessman, as well as a brilliant and original designer and manufacturer. This book explores the balance between Morris's various spheres of activity and influence, places his art in the context of its time and explores his ongoing and far-reaching legacy. A pioneer of the Arts & Crafts Movement, William Morris (1834-1896) is one of the most influential designers of all time. Morris turned the tide of Victorian England against an increasingly industrialized manufacturing process towards a rediscovered respect for the skill of the maker. Morris's whole approach still resonates today, and his designs are popular and much admired. Published to mark the 125th anniversary of Morris's death, this book includes contributions from a wide range of Morris experts, with chapters on painting, church decoration and stained glass, interior decoration, furniture, tiles and tableware, wallpaper, textiles, calligraphy and publishing. Additional materials include a contextualized chronology of Morris's life and a list of public collections around the world where examples of Morris's work may be seen today. This study is a comprehensive, fully illustrated exploration of a great thinker and artist, and essential reading for anyone interested in the history of design. With 668 illustrations in colour

Young Poland: The Polish Arts and Crafts Movement, 1890-1918 is the first book in any language to explore the Young Poland (Mloda Polska) period in the context of the international Arts and Crafts movements. The Young Poland movement emerged in the 1890s in response to the country's non-existence for almost a century. It embraced an unprecedented flourishing of applied arts and the revival of crafts, drawing inspiration from nature, history, peasant traditions and craftsmanship to convey patriotic values. The book argues that Young Poland shared fundamental parallels with the British Arts and Crafts Movement, and that it was specifically this Arts and Crafts ethos that fuelled the movement's patriotic ideology and the nation's quest to regain Polish independence. The lavishly illustrated publication charts the rich history of the artists, designers and craftspeople whose schemes came to define Young Poland, including over 250 illustrations of ceramics, furniture, textiles, paper cuttings, wood carvings, tableware, stained glass, book arts, children's toys and Christmas decorations, as well as domestic, church and civic interior decoration schemes. The book is the culmination of an international research project co-financed by the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage as part of the 'Inspiring Culture' Programme. It is a collaboration between Lund Humphries, the William Morris Gallery, the National Museum in Krakow and the Polish Cultural Institute, London.