Lot 93
W.A.S. BENSON (1854-1924) FOR MORRIS & CO.
DRAWING ROOM CABINET, CIRCA 1900
Auction: 11 October 2023 at 10:00 BST
Description
mahogany, satinwood, with verde antico marble, gilt brass mounts and glazed doors
Dimensions
135cm wide, 111cm high, 56cm deep
Footnote
Literature: Morris & Co catalogue, Specimens of Furniture, Upholstery and Interior Decoration, circa 1900, p.23, no.140 illus.
Hamerton I. W. A. S. Benson: Arts and Crafts Luminary and Pioneer of Modern Design, AAC 2005, p.159, pls.140-142A where a similar cabinet is illustrated.
Note: Most of Benson’s furniture designs were made and retailed by Morris & Co. He became a director of Morris & Co. in 1896, following the death of his friend William Morris, and then became chairman in 1905. His furniture designs for Morris & Co. included desks and tables in oak, cabinets with marquetry inlay, and more expensive metal-mounted tables and cabinets. These more flamboyant pieces used rare and expensive timbers and enabled the designer to showcase his skill in decorative metalwork.