AN ARTS AND CRAFTS OAK REFECTORY TABLE

The design of the present table recalls that made popular by the 'Father of Arts and Crafts Architecture', the designer, Philip Webb (d. 1915). In particular, the form relates to a serving table designed by Webb's assistant, George Jack, illustrated at Rounton Grange, Yorkshire (J. Cooper, Victorian and Edwardian Furniture and Interiors From the Gothic Revival to Art Nouveau, London, 1987, p. 173, fig. 449). This design remained fashionable being part of many Edwardian revivalist interiors, and was supplied by Morris & Co., of which Webb was a founding member together with William Morris (d. 1896), across the world (illustrated in 1909, ibid., p. 164, fig. 410). By repute, the present table and the following lot are from Charterhouse School, a spectacular Gothic Revival public boys school in Surrey, which was completed in June 1872, a period which was swiftly followed by the Arts & Crafts movement.