Flora

Flora (also known as "Hand Maiden")

Flora is based on a very populart tapestry originally woven in 1885. It is an allegorical composition personifying Summer. Flowers are gathred in the woman's summer-colored garment to be later scattered to "earth's little ones." Burne-Jones designed the lovely maiden while William Morris designed the background of flora and animals. This piece is unusual for such a collaboration of masters.

fl4

The writing at the top of the tapestry says: "I am the hand maid of the earth - I broider fair her glorious crown and deck her on her days of mirth - with many garlands of renown" And, at the bottom: "and while earth's little ones are fain - and play about the mother's hem I scatter every gift I gain - from sun and wind to gladden them."