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George Bain Rug
c 1930

the reverse with a cotton label Authentic Celtic Art. Hunting Carpet designed by George Bain. Made by Quayle & Tranter Ltd, Kidderminster(see below for additional label information and story depicted. the intertwined snake central motif within an octagon, the field with equestrian hunters carrying spears to two corners, the opposing corners with deer and dogs, surrounded by men in frock coats blowing horns with birds, fish and beasts, the border with an interlaced design, all in shades of brick, beige, pale blue and indigo, yellow and green, 4 x 6 ft 7 in or 1.20 x 2 m

Comments

A rare example of Bain's work. George Bain (1881-1968) born in Scrabster(Cathness) his family moved to Edinburgh where he trained as an artist. During the !st WW he served in Macedonia returning to become Principal Teacher of Art at Kirkcaldy High School, Fife where he stayed until he retired in 1946. All his life he studied the techniques used by the ancients to produce their intricate mathematical designs. These designs appear on the Pictish stones of eastern Scotland. Also on jewellery and metalwork from Britain and early illuminated manufscripts including The Books of Kells and Lindisfarne. His definitive book Celtic Art: The Methods of Construction /i> was published in 1951 which revived interest in the subject. He is also noted for his paintings of landscapes in Scotland, Balkans and Greece. A retrospective exhibition of his work was held in Kirkcaldy in 1978. Another exhibition at The Museum, Edinburgh was held in 2001. His collection is held at Groam House Museum, Rosemarkle. They hold one example of Bain's only manufactured design, the Hunting Rug. He also designed textiles, although the main collection is of works of art on paper, primarily his Celtic teaching aidsand designs for commissions. In working out the techniques used by the ancient Celtic artists he created a renaissance of interest in this type of art-work. Additional information on the label Motifs incorporated in the design include: Creation - man, beast, bird, reptile,fish, insect, plant Wisdom - reptile Knowledge - past, presentand future, salmon and sturgeon. Friendship or Love - interlaced birds Unity - interlaced knotwork Safeguard Against Evil - counter sunwise spiral swastika Huntsman -with horn, stag, hind and hounds Diarmid & the Boar In the Blairgowrie area in Perthshire there is a legend involving a king called Fingal and his champion Diarmid, whose fearsome talents gained him great prestige from fellow warriors and court ladies. When the kind discovered his wife and Diarmid were having an affair he challenged Diarmid to hunt a boar which was killing farmers and livestock. He was successful but was injured in the hunt. He took the boar's head to the king, who witheld medicine to the injured warrior, who died of his wounds. The Queen on hearing the news committed suicide.

Condition

The colours are lovely. There is some wear to the two ends of the main field.There is a cut away semi circle to one edge (presumably cut round a pipe) which measures 6 x 6 cm. Ask for photos. Otherwise good condition. This has been cleaned by a professional.