John Piper, C.H. (1903-1992)

The stained glass window screen at the Wessex Hotel, Winchester, was completed in 1964 (see J. Osborne, John Piper and Stained Glass, Stroud, 1997, pp. 81-82) and consists of 12 square panels, each depicting a foliate head.

The present work clearly relates closely to the foliate head in the lower right-hand corner of the completed screen as illustrated in Osborne (loc. cit., fig. 59).

It is likely that Piper completed the designs for the screen some years before its realisation. Myfanwy Piper later wrote, 'Although John Piper used Foliate Heads in many different ways, in what often might be seen as a decorative idiom, the face ... is never without the mystery and vitality of its origin' (commentary on John Piper Memorial Exhibition, Bohun Gallery, Henley-on-Thames, 1992).

We are very grateful to Rev. Dr. Stephen Laird for his assistance in preparing the catalogue entries for lots 1, 2 and 5.