Feature: THE BIG PICTURE - Cotswold Style - main rural theme for Arts and Crafts Movement - Exhibition now showing at Millinery Works until Nov 14

Published: 21 October 2010

THE Millinery Works gallery in Canonbury is currently displaying an exceptionally fine collection of furniture in an exhibition on The Cotswold Style. 

“The Cotswolds were the main rural centre for the Arts and Crafts Movement from the 1890s,” explains Mary Greensted in her catalogue essay. “CR Ashbee’s Guild of Handicraft, which moved from London’s East End to Chipping Campden in 1902, was one important element. 

“However, it is the work of Ernest Gimson and the brothers Ernest and Sidney Barnsley in the south Cotswolds which encapsulates the Cotswold furniture tradition. 

“Gimson and Sidney Barnsley were young architects in 1893 when they decided that they did not want to pursue traditional careers with a London office and all that that entailed. 

“Instead they decided to move to the country and immerse themselves in its traditions and working practices. 

“With Ernest Barnsley they worked closely together at Pinbury, near Cirencester before moving to the nearby village of Sapperton in 1901 where Gimson ran the Daneway workshops and Sidney Barnsley continued designing and making all his own work.”  

This selling exhibition features pieces from the leading Cotswold craftsmen all of whom were exponents of the Arts & Crafts Movement. 

There is a superbly made dresser designed by Ernest Gimson and a Cotswold Style oak breakfront bookcase/display cabinet designed and made by Malcolm Corrie Powell in the workshops of Sidney Barnsley, circa 1902 (reproduced here). 

Malcolm Powell (1863-1913) worked with Gimson and with Sidney Barnsley between 1902 and 1904. The provenance is the Powell Family Archive. 

• The Cotswold Style runs from October 19-November 14 at The Millinery Works, 87 Southgate Road, Canonbury, Islington, N1. Tues-Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 12-5pm, 0207 359 2019, www.millineryworks.co.uk 

• There are 60 items in the exhibition with a wide range of prices and on Sunday October 24, from 1-4pm, there is a pre-publication launch and book signing by Mary Greensted of her new book The Arts & Crafts Movement in Britain