Wren's City Churches'

The woodcut title page of this volume has a striking design which combines two apparently disparate elements: a severe framework of borders and columns enclosing a panel of undulating leaves and flowers through which the streamer bearing the title winds, flanked at either side by the attenuated form of a peacock. This same combination can be seen in the design of much of the furniture produced by the Century Guild. Similarly the sinuous curling patterns of flowers, leaves and other motifs, later to become a feature of Art Nouveau, recur in many of the Guild's wallpapers and textiles.

The woodcut design was used for the front cover and title page of the smaller edition of this work published in 1883 (see William Morris Gallery Library K935).