Emery Walker's House Exhibition Programme
Guided tours at Emery Walker's House conclude in our small exhibition space. Currently on display is our exhibition, titled Glass in an Arts and Craft Home.
The exhibit closes November 30th, 2023
In this exhibition we showcase important pieces from our glass collection. Please enjoy short highlights of this exhibit below.
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(above) Drawing Room at Emery Walker's House
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With a history dating back more than 3,500 years, glass has served many purposes in daily life. Its roots in art, history, science, culture and technology combine to make glass one of the most versatile and varied mediums. Glass as both an artform and utilitarian necessity have resulted in its diverse uses, many of which are reflected in this exhibition.
Glass occupies an important place in the Walkers’ Arts and Crafts house. Our collection includes historic pieces and some replicas, the work of leading glass designers and manufacturers, such as Philip Webb and Whitefriars and some modern productions. Its range highlights the diverse forms and functions of glass throughout the centuries.
(left) Pair of claret glasses, with eight ornamental glass prunts, c. 1870, designed by Philip Webb and manufactured by Powell and Sons of Whitefriars, London
(right) Design for claret glass, drawn by Philip Webb, c. 1860 Credit: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Philip Webb (1831-1915) an English architect, designer and close friend of Emery Walker and William Morris, responsible for not just buildings and furniture but also tapestries, wallpaper, stained glass and domestic glass. He was the architect of Red House, begun in 1859, the Morris’s first marital home, for which he designed table glass for family use there. It was manufactured by Powell and Sons of Whitefriars, London, leading glassmakers of the Arts and Crafts movement, known for their high-quality productions of innovative domestic and architectural glass. Red House table glass was on sale from 1870 through Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. (later Morris & Co). We are fortunate to have in our collection a number of glass pieces designed by Webb between 1860 and 1865 (two claret glasses pictured above).
(above) Design for glass, drawn by Philip Webb, c. 1860 Credit: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
(below) Emery Walker's House Webb glass collection
Roman glass jug, Circa 4th c. AD Roman style glass jug, Post 1900 reproduction
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These Roman jugs, one genuine (left) , the other a reproduction (right), showcase the Victorian fascination with classical antiquity. The Walkers’ likely were aware that one of the vessels was a copy, as replica historic glass was and remains today popular for its aesthetic value.
English half wine bottle
Circa 1730
This wine bottle was unearthed from an excavation near Holborn in the early 20th century. The Walker’s likely purchased the item at an antique shop.
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Pictured on desk between pewter cup and glass bowl.
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Four replica Dutch glasses known as ‘roemers’ with three ornamental raspberry prunts
Late 19th or early 20th c., in 17th c. style
This set of glasses dates to a period of renewed public appetite for the popular Dutch roemer wine glass. High quality replicas were produced to satisfy demand and middle class budgets.
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This exhibition has been supported by friends of the late Geoff Pickup (1951-2022), former chief designer at the British Museum, who was responsible for Emery Walker's House Exhibition Room.
THANK YOU!
The Emery Walker Trust thanks its many financial supporters and donors, who have given generously to support the creation of this exhibition space
Aldama Foundation
Henry Oldfield Trust
John S. Cohen Foundation
Jones Trust
Sackler Trust
Mary Wells
Garfield Weston Foundation
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And others who wished to remain anonymous