Torr Antiques & Decorative Arts

Description

This is an important original Arts & Craft's design for fabric by Gabriel Cyril Bunney (1876-1952), circa 1910. Signed in ink by Bunney bottom left and with 'Design for Cretonne block printing' hand-written in pencil bottom centre right. The design appears to have been originally laid out in outline in pencil and then filled in using fine brushwork and watercolour paints. It is blank on reverse.

Please note that we have a second original fabric design by Bunney separately listed.

Some of Bunney's output is in the V&A Collection including an original design of grapes on a vine for a circular ceramic charger as well as several ceramic pieces decorated with his designs currently on display. The V&A example and the two designs which we have for sale are examples of the continuation into the 1900s of work influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement. The design reflects the work of an exciting and vibrant artistic community that included Louise Powell, who painted ceramics made by Wedgwood. Bunney's father was the painter J. W. Bunney, a protégé of Ruskin's and both parents were within the outer circle of the Ruskin/Pre-Raphaelite group - Gabriel Bunney was called after Dante Gabriel Rossetti and also a son of Holman Hunt. Gabriel Bunney was both a designer and teacher, and assistant to the architect W. H. Lethaby, at Camberwell, whose ideas were most influential on the late Arts and Crafts. In addition, Bunney taught at the South Kensington Schools and later at Birmingham Central School.

Dimensions: 43.5 cm x 37 cm

Condition: Very good antique condition

Postage & packing: £7.50 within the UK. Please contact David if you would like to send this item to an overseas destination.