The Adoration of the Magi Tapestry William Morris and Co. Late 19th century England, Surrey (Merton Abbey) Wool, handwoven 255 x 379 cm In 1887 William Burne-Jones painted a large watercolour sketch on a New Testament theme from which William Morris and John Dearle produced the cartoon for the tapestry, changing the colour scheme and adding flowers and background details. Several tapestries were made after this cartoon, now in different museums around the world. The Adoration of the Magi, like other tapestries made at Merton Abbey, marks one of the first and most successful attempts to revive this form of applied art, which had declined in the 19th century.