Strawberry Thief Museum Desk Paperweight – William Morris Arts & Crafts Glass Dome 3W

Museum Desk Paperweight with William Morris’s Strawberry Thief

This richly patterned museum desk paperweight features William Morris’s beloved 1883 textile design Strawberry Thief. Beneath the clear glass dome, two thrush birds perch among curling vines, blossoms, and ripening berries. The deep black ground sets off the red, green, gold, and blue palette that made this one of Morris’s most admired repeating patterns.

The design is inspired by a real moment in Morris’s garden at Kelmscott Manor: he often caught thrushes sneaking into the strawberry patch. Their quick movements and playful thievery charmed him, and he turned the scene into a repeating tapestry of birds, fruit, and foliage. Under the dome, the warm colors and intricate details are gently magnified, giving this William Morris paperweight a jewel-like glow.

• Glass dome museum art paperweight with Morris’s Strawberry Thief pattern.
• Vibrant Arts & Crafts textile design of birds, flowers, and berries.
• Measures approx. 3 in W × 3 in L × 1.5 in H; weight about 0.9 lbs.
• Comes in an elegant presentation box with sateen lining.
• Part of the Parastone Museum Gift Collection. PN PMOR1.

The Arts & Crafts Movement

William Morris (1834–1896) is widely regarded as the father of the Arts & Crafts Movement, a late-19th-century reaction against industrial mass production. Arts & Crafts artists believed that beautifully made objects elevated everyday life. They advocated for handcrafted methods, honest materials, and close collaboration between designers and makers.

Other notable contributors included Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Edward Burne-Jones, Philip Webb, C.F.A. Voysey, and members of the Pre-Raphaelite circle. Together, they reshaped decorative arts in Britain by returning to medieval craftsmanship, nature-based ornament, and thoughtful labor.

The Strawberry Thief pattern embodies these values: natural imagery, careful hand-block printing, and a repeat motif designed to feel both orderly and alive.

Why “Strawberry Thief”?

Morris often observed thrush birds darting into the garden to steal ripe strawberries. Their mischievous behavior delighted him so much that he immortalized them in a repeating pattern. The design became one of his most successful and remains instantly recognizable today for its whimsical charm and symmetry.

Textiles and the British Tradition

Britain’s textile industry was historically one of the most important in the world—from medieval wool production to the mechanized cotton mills of the Industrial Revolution. By the 1880s, however, many artists felt that mass-produced prints lacked soul. Morris’s hand-crafted textiles championed a return to beauty, craftsmanship, and meaningful design. His work revitalized interest in traditional dyeing, block printing, and hand weaving.

This museum desk paperweight reflects that legacy, presenting the pattern in a small, sturdy form that celebrates both nature and craftsmanship.

Pair with Other Morris-Inspired Gifts

This piece pairs beautifully with other floral, nature, and Arts & Crafts items in our collection. The warm botanical palette works well alongside our flower, garden, and landscape gifts.

• Explore related nature-themed decor: Flower, Garden & Landscape Collection
• Discover more masterpieces by Arts & Crafts designers and textile-inspired gifts throughout our catalog.

Curator’s Note

Morris believed that art should be enjoyed every day and by everyone, not just the wealthy. This museum desk paperweight honors that idea. Whether placed on a desk, side table, or bookcase, it brings a touch of nature, history, and handcrafted beauty into your daily routine.