William Morris’s funeral pall, velvet hanging (çatma), 17th century, Bursa, Turkey. Credit: Birmingham Museums Trust

William Morris and Art from the Islamic World

Curators Rowan Bain and Qaisra M. Khan discuss William Morris’s personal collection of carpets, textiles, metalwork, and ceramics—primarily from Iran, Syria, and Turkey—revealing their influence on his celebrated patterns.

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Qaisra Khan

Qaisra M. Khan is curator of Islamic art at the Khalili Collections. She has a degree in Law and an MPhil in Oriental Studies from the University of Cambridge and after working for many years in financial consulting, she acquired an MA in Islamic Art from SOAS, University of London. She has worked at the Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar and The British Museum. She was co-curator of the exhibition 'William Morris and Art from the Islamic World' at the William Morris Gallery (2024).

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Rowan Bain

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Rowan Bain is Principal Curator of the William Morris Gallery, London. In 2024 she co-curated the exhibition William Morris and Art from the Islamic World and edited the accompanying catalogue. Her past exhibitions include Althea McNish: Colour Is Mine (2022) and May Morris: Art & Life (2017). Previously she was Assistant Curator, Middle East Section, at the V&A. Her publications include William Morris’ Flowers and May Morris Arts & Crafts Designer.