England - Arts & Crafts

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'

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.