Flowers on Arts and Crafts Sideboard       
 November 2012

The English Furniture Workshop Newsletter...

 

English through and through...
 
I have focused on all things English this month as I think that at this time of year, (when there is so much focus on consumption) it is good to reflect on the legacy of our Artists and Designers. 
 
When I set up The English Furniture Workshop I soon realised that it was as much about English design and heritage as it was furniture.   When I think of English furniture I immediately think of The Arts and Crafts Movement founded by the artist and writer William Morris (1834-1896) during the 1860s.  The Arts and Crafts movement took off around the turn of the 20th century as a backlash against the fussy, overwrought style of the Victorian era. It rejected the factory-produced furnishings that prevailed at the time, embracing instead natural beauty and traditional craftsmanship. In London in the late 1800's furniture store Heal's took their lead from The Arts and Crafts Movement and began designing furniture to be made with oak, using  natural and organic lines  that contrasted from the signature 'old English' styles. 

 

The sideboard in this month's Newsletter is a perfect example of Arts and Crafts furniture, it dates around 1910 and is beautifully made from solid oak. The design of the legs also suggests that it may well have been made by Heal's.
 
                       Arts and Crafts Oak Sideboard
Arts and Crafts oak sideboard
This beautiful Arts and Crafts oak sideboard is exceptionally high quality, and is thought to be by Heal's London. The sideboard would have been made in the early 20th Century around 1910 - 1920, it is entirely made of oak, including the drawers and back of the piece.  

 

Oak handle     

Price £650

 

 

 

  

Antique school desk    

Antique School Desk
This delightful school desk is made of oak and wrought iron, it has a flip up seat and very nice details.  Very English and good for children and grown-ups alike!

Price £155 
  
 
 

 

 

 

 

                      


                                           
Shipping Trunk  Shipping Trunk 
Perfect for storing all the added Christmas clutter, or just shoes and boots etc.  This antique tin shipping trunk has the original luggage labels and the interior is in excellent condition.    
 
Price £95

 
Books and Exhibitions....
 
Bespoke: Furniture from 101 International Artists - we are one of the featured "artists" in this very nice coffee table book by Ashley Rooney.  It is published this month, Price £39. 
Bespoke: Furniture from 101 International Artists
 
Gillian Ayres: Paintings and Works on Paper.
Alan Cristea Gallery, 31 & 34 Cork Street, London.  16th November - 22 December.
Gillian Ayres  
Now 82 years old, Gillian Ayres made her first abstract works in the 1950's.  For this show she has produced over 20 new oil paintings, acrylics and her first series of woodblock prints, which are all named after famous gardens.  Her use of bold colour and abstract forms referencing plants and flowers makes unique and covetable imagery.  This prolific English artist and contemporary of Hockney, Blake and Hodgkin is so well worth a look.
I hope you have enjoyed reading our Newsletter this month.  If you would like to contact us please e-mail at this address or telephone 01295 780799.  All of our furniture is available to view by appointment and we are happy to show you any item at any time Monday - Saturday.  Our furniture is for sale via our website
Thank you for reading our November Newsletter.

Amanda Ransom