F I N E B O O K S & M A N U S C R I P T S
ARCHIVE FROM A FINE FURNITURE MAKER
39. Extensive Archive Of Original Watercolours, Designs, Plans, Catalogues MARSH, JONES AND CRIBB Marsh, Jones and Cribb; James Chappell & Son, c. 1920-1940. A remarkably extensive ar- chive of original watercolours, designs, plans, catalogues, blueprints and contracts from the renowned firm of Arts & Crafts furniture designers Marsh, Jones and Cribb, who later merged with James Chappell & Son. The material here relates to domestic furniture design and commissions: - Eight printed catalogues issued by the firm and their suppliers, with one photograph of its staff loosely laid in. - An extensive range of finished chimney piece designs in watercolour in a variety of styles, but chiefly Art Deco. Eight on paper, 23 mounted onto board and under tissue guards (sizes ranging from 11 x 7.5cm to 21 x 30cm, but the vast majority c. 16 x 21cm). - One complete design in watercolour for furnishing a drawing room, on four mount- ed cards, one for each wall (two 19.5 x 28.5cm, and two 19.5 x 42cm). - Various pencil sketches for furniture and decorative designs, chiefly chimney pieces and curtains, comprising 71 sketches on 28 sheets. - One original sketch plan by Marsh Jones And Cribb for a remodelling in Leeds, ap- proved by Town and Country Planning in 1938. - Two large architect’s blueprints for domestic projects by Trollope & Sons of London. - Two bedroom designs in ink and watercolour, each c. 25 x 37cm. [42188] £3,500 The firmwas established in Leeds in 1791, and throughout the Victorian period became renowned as makers of fine furniture. The material collected in this archive dates from the early twentieth century, when they supplied both furniture and wider interior design services, chiefly in an Art Deco style. In 1930 Marsh, Jones and Cribb merged with fellow Leeds firm James Chappell & Son, and some of the material here has markings that represent this change. The majority of finished designs present here relate to the design of chimney pieces and the rooms they inhabit. Of the thirty-one finished watercolour designs, all but one place the chimney piece in the wider context of the room around it, showing decorative schemes indicative of a be- spoke design process. The printed catalogues for chimney pieces present also reinforce this, with separate consideration given to the chimney piece, grate, surround and hearth. The decorative schemes are varied, including more traditional oak panelled rooms, neo-classical living spaces, and bright, angular Art Deco designs. The catalogues date from the 1920s and 1930s, so cover the period immediately before and after the merger with James Chappell & Son. This is evident in overprinted manufacturers’ names to a couple of title pages and covers, as well as the removal of the Marsh, Jones, and Cribb branding from a Chimney Pieces catalogue. In addition to the six catalogues issued by the firm, there are two issued by one of their suppliers, Lee Fabrics of Birkenhead. The complete design for the four walls of a drawing room in watercolour, shows the breadth of decorative services offered by the firm. The features illustrated include fine oak furniture, a chimney piece, decorative plasterwork, lighting and upholstery. PROVENANCE: J. D. Spencer (1912-1985), later employed at the Ministry Of Works.
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