Key Dates

Trees, detail from design by CFA Voysey

  • 1819
    Birth of John Ruskin.
  • 1834
    Birth of William Morris.
  • 1848
    The Pre Raphaelite Brotherhood formed and first works exhibited.
  • 1851
    The Great Exhibition is held in London. Ruskin publishes the Stones of Venice.
  • 1859
    The Red House planned and built by Philip Webb at Upton in Kent. Furniture designed and made by Rossetti, Burne-Jones and William Morris.
  • 1861
    William Morris established his decorating business at 26 Queens Square London. Morris, Marshall, Faulkner and Co was founded to provide furniture 'solidly constructed and without superfluous ornament'' Maddox -Brown, Rossetti and Burne Jones all worked for the firm.
  • London International Exhibition featuring a stand by Morris &Co which was praised for archaeological exactness of their imitation of the style of the middle ages. The Exhibition also included furniture by William Burges.
  • 1868
    Building News and Charles Eastlake use the term 'Art Furniture' referring to furniture with simple, rectangular designs, preferably unadorned and 'severely Gothic'
  • 1875
    Liberty & Co opened in Regent Street London specialising in oriental art and artefacts. Patrons included E.W Godwin,Dante Gabriellie Rosssetti, Burne-Jones, and Christopher Dresser.
  • Watt's Godwin Catalogue Art Furniture published.
  • 1877
    William Morris opens his showrooms in Oxford Street London
  • 1882
    The Century Guild established. Arthur Mackmurdo, Herbert Horne, Selwyn Image and Clement Heaton producing furniture, fabrics metalwork and enamels.
  • William Morris opens his showrooms in Manchester.
  • Liberty&Co open their own Furniture and Decoration Studios headed by Leonard Wyburd who developed the line in Moorish Design and then Arts and Crafts.
  • Charles Rennie Mackintosh begins his career as a pupil architect in Glasgow
  • 1884
    The Art Workers Guild established, later to form the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society in 1888. Keswick Scool of Industrial Art founded by Canon and Mrs Rawnsley.
  • 1888
    First Arts and Crafts exhibition at the New Gallery in Regents Street, London. Guild of Handicraft founded by C. R Ashbee. T. Cobden Sanderson first to use the term 'Arts and Crafts '.
  • 1890
    The Kelmscott Press founded by William Morris.
  • 1893
    Ambrose Heal begins working as a bedding designer for the family firm in London. First edition of The Studio magazine, later edition in the same year features An interview with Mr. C. F. A. Voysey, Architect and Designer.
  • 1896
    Death of William Morris. Arts and Crafts Exhibition in London features the Glasgow Style designs of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Herbert MacNair, Margaret and Frances MacDonald The Studio features the Newlyn Art Industries in an article by Norman Garstin
  • 1898
    Cymric range introduced by Liberty; Celtic Inspired silver and jewellery designs.
  • 1900
    Paris Exhibition
  • The Vienna Secession
  • 1901
    Glasgow International Exhibition featuring the Library Designed by George Logan for the Wylie and Lochhead Pavilion.
  • Tudric pewter designs introduced by Liberty, designers included Rex Silver, Archibald Knox and Jessie King.
  • 1902
    Turin Exhibition; Voyseys' Chair, Scottish Pavillion by Mackintosh
  • 1903
    Charles Rennie Mackintosh starts his designs for the Willow Tea Rooms in Glasgow. Liberty and Co take part in the Arts and Crafts Exhibition in london and include four designs by Archibald Knox.
  • Leonard Wyburd retires from Liberty &Co.

Cover of the Studio Yearbook of Decorative Art 1906

  • 1905
    Liberty and Co open their own furniture manufacturing workshops. And publish the
  • Heal and Son Publish their catalogue featuring oak furniture designed by Ambrose Heal for the Letchworth Exhibition.
  • 1906
    Ballie Scott's publishes ''Houses and Gardens''