Pinecones-and-needles textile 1883 - 1900

This "Pinecones-and-needles textile" was produced in the United States in the late 19th or early 20th century by the Associated Artists, a short-lived venture that sought to bring fine art principles to the decorative arts. The Arts and Crafts movement was a reaction against industrialization, with its mass-produced, often poor-quality goods. Groups such as the Associated Artists championed handcraftsmanship and the individual artist. The image of pinecones and needles connects to the broader interest in natural forms which can be traced to the influence of people such as John Ruskin and William Morris. But the textile's relatively muted tones also speak to a specifically American aesthetic, one less exuberant and more subdued than its British counterpart. As historians, we can look at company records, design catalogs, and period publications to understand the tastes and values that shaped the production of this textile. This helps us to see art as embedded in social practices and aspirations.