'Kelmscott' Table, Third-Quarter 19th century

Arts and Crafts designer and architect, Philip Speakman Webb was one of the great collaborative and versatile artists of the movement. Webb met William Morris in 1856, and joined the fam of Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. (later Morris & Co.) in 1861. Webb’s first commission was Morris’ famed home, Red House, in 1859. The model for the ‘Kelmscott’ table was originally designed by Webb in 1875 for Morris’ study in Kelmscott House, Hammersmith. There is a watercolor by Mary A. Sloane ('May Morris in Tapestry Room at Kelmscott Manor', 1910-15), which depicts William Morris' daughter May seated editing the twenty-four volumes of Collected Works by William Morris at a similar table. This picture is held by the William Morris Gallery, Waltham Forest, London. The present lot with its unusual turned legs connected by a stretcher is identical to Webb's design.