Lot 3
JOHN MOYR SMITH (1839-1912) FOR MINTON CHINA WORKS
GROUP OF FIVE 'ANACREON' PLATES, CIRCA 1877-8
Auction: 15 June 2011 at 12:00 BST
Description
'The Governor'; 'The Dessert'; 'The Cup of Health'; 'The Grace', and 'The Master of the Revels', each with impressed and painted factory marks (5)
Dimensions
25.5cm across
Footnote
Literature: Stapleton, Annamarie, 'John Moyr Smith: A Victorian Designer', Richard Dennis 2002, page 56
Dictionary of Scottish Architects, 2008
Note: John Moyr Smith was born in Glasgow as John Smith on 12 March 1839. He was articled to James Salmon c.1855-59, and attended Glasgow School of Art from November 1857. At this time, Moyr Smith became a member of Alexander Thomson's circle, which included Leiper, Bruce Talbert, and Daniel Cottier, and began developing an interest in painting and the decorative arts.
In 1866 he moved to London as assistant to George Gilbert Scott and from there produced designs for Christopher Dresser, Bruce Talbert and others. From about 1870 he had an extensive commercial practice of his own, and, as well as producing designs for major manufacturers like Mintons, also produced decorative interior schemes for clients both in the UK and USA.