Stock ref: DS1124
1937
Stanley Webb Davies pieces are very rare to the market and highly sought after, representing understated Arts and Crafts furniture making at its very best, in the Cotswold School style of Ernest Gimson, Romney Green and the Barnsley’s. Every piece is totally unique, Stanley was resolute in never producing exactly the same design twice in the 37 years his business operated in Windermere, Cumbria
This solid oak table is a stunning example of handcrafted carpentry skill, exhibiting a number of features so distinctive of his work, and is signed and dated 1937 to the underside with the SWD cartouche and the craftsmans signature HJ, Harry Jepson. The table top is recessed and has been protected from staining by a glass inlay, the frame chamferred to the inside and outside edges with distinctive alternating thumbnail carving. Square legs, featuring chamferred edges with decorative carving and dowelled tennons. The legs are joined by twin ‘Gimson’ wagon chamfered stretchers with exposed and wedged joints, all sound and solid, and a superbly distinctive feature of the piece. Therre is no evidence of any damage or previous repairs and the piece presents in a lovely warm rich colour with excellent patina.
Acquired as part of a larger collection of pieces with excellent provenance to a Windermere family with a significant collection of SWD and Arthur Simpson furniture and furnishings bought in the pre war years.
Size: 46 (w) x 35.5(d) x 44.5(h) cm
SWD (1894 -1978) was the son of a wealthy mill owner in Darwin, Lancashire. Oxford educated, he was apprenticed to Arthur Romney Green before setting up home and his business in Windermere in 1923. The business closed in 1960.
Harry Jepson is mentioned on page 113 of Hugh Wright’s book on Stanley Webb Davies but little is currently known about him, highlighting the importance of this piece in shedding new light on his work and time at the SWD workshop.
Information courtesy of Hugh Wright’s book published in 2006, Stanley Webb Davies, 1894-1978, Arts & Crafts Furniture Maker. I can highly recommend it to those keen to learn more about his life and work.
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