Lot 284
A set of eight Arts and Crafts crewelwork seat covers,
Auction: 21 April 2004 at 12:00 BST
Description
worked in coloured wools by Lady Phipson Beale with sprays of flowering foliage on an unbleached linen ground (8)
Dimensions
44cm x 41cm each (approx.)
Footnote
Provenance: Sir William Phipson Beale, Drumlamford House, Ayrshire
Note: Sir William Beale became Liberal M.P. for Galloway. His younger brother James Beale commissioned Philip Webb to build Standen and he in turn engaged Morris & Co. to furnish and design the interiors with textiles, wallpapers and furnishings. William Morris became a personal friend of the Beale family and consequently his influence can be felt at all their residences; 32 Holland Park, London; 'Bryntirion', nr Dongelan, Wales, 'Drumlamford', South Ayrshire and of course 'Standen', East Grinstead, Surrey. Margaret Beale, James' wife, and her daughters were talented needlewomen who were inspired by Morris to work elaborate embroidery hangings after his designs (one of a pair of hangings in Morris' 'Artichoke' design now hangs in the Victoria and Albert Museum) and many of these are still at Standen. She helped found the Royal School of Needlework in 1872 and passed on many of her skills to other members of her family including Lady Phipson Beale who worked the lot offered here.
Ref: William Morris Textiles by Linda Parry, pub. New York 1983, pp.26, 144 and 145.