Cannon Hall museum in Barnsley has a small but an excellent collection of furniture metalwork and ceramics. Many of the items were purchased from Liberty and Co by the Curator Brian Murray between 1977 to 1987, who was able to part fund the collection with grants from the Victoria and Albert Museum. The Arts and Crafts collection is part of a much larger collection which included militaria, paintings and furniture from other periods.
The Arts and Crafts collection includes Tudric Pewter from Liberty and Co with several pieces by Archibald Knox, a Tudric architectural style clock and a good range of items with Celtic or enamelled decoration including a mirror and a coal box. Ceramics by Martin Brothers and some superb pieces by William De Morgan are also on show.
The small collection of furniture includes pieces by Liberty,William Birch,and Shapland and Petter. Liberty pieces include the Wyclif Chair, the Seigbert table, a Walton settee and a small number of other items considered to be by designed by Punnet and made by William Birch. Not all of the furniture is on display, but there are some superb pieces on view in the North Room. From Shapland and Petter there is a sideboard with repouse copper panel and decorative strap hinges and an outstanding smokers cabinet which is must be one of the finest made by the company. It has a copper panel bearing the inscription
Sublime Tobacco Which From East to West Cheers the Tars Labour and the Turkmans Rest.
This piece will be featured in the forthcoming feature on Shapland and Petter.
Cannon Hall is open to the public on Sundays only. For opening times and contact details please see the website below.