Object Description
An extremely rare and beautiful Glasgow School crewelwork fire surround of large scale.
The rectangular oak frame has a wonderful projecting dentil cornice which supports a crewelwork panel depicting serpents, the tree of life, flowers and foliage worked in colours onto a cream linen ground.
From the circle of Jessie Newbury and Anne Macbeth this piece has been specifically executed with a strong overall design of Jacobean inspiration popular in the late 19th to the early 20th century. Although crewelwork was traditionally used as panels in fire screens in Britain it is very unusual for it to be seen used in such scale on a surround.
It is exceptionally rare to find a crewelwork fire surround in a complete state and such beautiful original condition.
Condition:
One small piece of oak dentil missing on to the corner. Some discolouration to the cream ground across the stretcher bars and base of surround, minimal loss of thread.