England - Arts & Crafts
The reform spirit of the Arts & Crafts movement was
in opposition to the ideas of industrial production. Artists such as William
Morris followed the goal of designing articles of everyday use - furniture,
household goods, home décor and books - artistically and as handcrafted
goods again.
The establishment of numerous craftsmen's guilds (The Art Workers Guild, Guild
of Handicraft) modelled on mediaeval guilds, resulted from this socialist
ideology.
Stylistically, the Arts & Crafts movement was a rich source
of functional, simple and clear forms, which influenced all endeavours of
a similar nature in Europe and in the USA.
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Chair designed by William Morris, the founder of the Arts
& Crafts movement, in 1856.
© Christies London, The Chair, 29th October
97'
The painted decoration was by the Pre-Raphaelite painter
Dante Gabriel Rosetti (1828-1882).
© Christies London, The Chair, 29th October
97'
