Crane Flora's Retinue
1893

by Walter Crane, each of the six doileys woven with the artist's monogram and Recd, depicting two Daisy, one ivory and one cream, Bluebell, Pink (Carnation), Lily and Poppy, each with attractive girls in flowing  dresses of the particular flower surrounded by the flower, the flower name woven into a corner, machine woven in a cream and white silk and linen damask, floss silk fringed border, 7 in; 17 cm sq

Comments

These doilies were manufactured and sold by retailers John Wilson & Sons, of Bond Street and later 188 Regent Street. Listed as 'household linen warehousemen' the firm specialised in the sale of linen damasks. They commissioned damask designs from leading designers of the day including Christopher Dresser, Lewis F Day, and Crane, which were woven by Irish weavers including Ireland Brothers & Co, Belfast. There would have been six doilies originally including Poppy, Lily and Rose. A similar set were exhibited at "Walter Crane" Whitworth Museum, Manchester 2004. Walter Crane 1845-1915 best known as an illustrator of books was also an artist designer of wallpaper, stained glass, textiles, carpets, tiles and pottery and metalwork. He was a Principal of the Royal College of Art, lectured and published on theory of design. Founder member of The Art Workers Guild and first President of the Arts & Crafts Exhibition Society. Travelled extensively abroad. Crane's design fee was £36. Closely related to the group of Crane's flower books beginning with Flora's Feast (1889) and his later tile designs, also called Flora's Retinue A similar set was exhibited at the Arts & Crafts Exhibition Society in 1893 & the Chicago International Exporistion of the same year. Studio magazine 1904. Advertisement Supplement. Napery in the Home. The Work of John Wilson's Successors, Ltd. 188 Regent Street Jordan, Christopher Walter Crane London Open House 2001 at South London Gallery. Smith & Hyde Walter Crane 1845-1915 Artist, Designer & Socialist 1989. Studio Magazine vol II 1893-4 p 28 Fanelli Il Tessuuto Art Nouveau Florence 1986 fig 171/2 Francesca Galloway Arts & Crafts Textiles in Britain The Fine Art Society

Condition

Four are in very good condition. Bluebell has a few markings on the reverse, two of which faintly show on the face of the fabric, top left hand corner. Lily has a light brown water? mark to the lower right hand edge. Poppy has a mark to the centre.

Price: £185 | $290 | €220

Ref N°: 6339