Stock ref: DS1126

1941

Stanley Webb Davies pieces are very rare to the market and highly sought after, representing understated Arts and Crafts furniture at its very best, in the Cotswold School style of Gimson and the Barnsley’s. Every piece is totally unique, SWD was resolute in never producing exactly the same design twice.  

This solid walnut letter rack is a superb example of handcrafted carpentry skill,  exhibiting a number of features so distinctive of Stanley Webb Davies’ work. These  include the exposed and wedged tennon joints on the sides, the scalloped side edges, chamfered edges and the carefully matched  selection of the side pieces for their superb graining pattern. It is complete with original baize lining to the underside and is signed and dated 1941 with the SWD cartouche and the craftsmans signature H E Simpson. 

The original linseed oiled finish and colour has been revived and it presents in superb condition free from any damage or repairs. 

Acquired as part of a larger collection of pieces with excellent provenance from Tennants, Leyburn to a Windermere family with a significant collection of SWD and Arthur Simpson of Kendal  home furnishings, acquired in the pre war years.

Size: 25.7(w) x 11.5(d) x 16(h) cm 

SWD (1894 -1978)  was the son of a wealthy mill owner in Darwin, Lancs. Oxford educated, he was apprenticed to Arthur Romney Green before setting up home and his business in Windermere, Cumbria in 1923. The business closed in 1960.

Harry E Simpson appears in the SWD costing books from 1938 to 1951. Little else is currently known about him unfortunately, but he was clearly a verey accomplished craftsman as the quality of this piece is superb. 

Information courtesy of Hugh Wright’s book published in 2006, Stanley Webb Davies, 1894-1978, Arts and Crafts Furniture Maker. I can highly recommend it  to those keen to learn more about his work. 

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