Tablecloth or Bedcover probably titled "Ragged Poppy" 1902

This tablecloth, or bedcover, titled "Ragged Poppy," was likely made by John Scarratt Rigby. It’s printed on fabric, and the design is very much in the aesthetic of the Arts and Crafts movement, with its stylized naturalism. Notice the way the poppy design repeats, creating an all-over pattern. This was achieved through block printing, a labor-intensive process where each color and shape is carved into a separate block and then stamped onto the fabric. The choice of this technique speaks volumes. The Arts and Crafts movement valued handcraftsmanship over mass production, seeing it as a way to reclaim beauty and integrity in an increasingly industrialized world. Though block printing was indeed a slower process than mechanized weaving, it did allow for the relatively quick reproduction of decorative patterns, bringing an element of artistic creation into the everyday lives of ordinary people. Considering the material and the making of this textile gives us a richer sense of its social and cultural meaning. It wasn't just a functional object, but a statement about values and a connection to a slower, more deliberate way of life.