ONE of Christopher Gilbert’s most consuming passions was for neglected furniture ‘sub-groups’ – ‘back-stairs’ furniture was such an area and it spawned an original exhibition and catalogue in 1977.
This is a publication that inspired a totally new interest in country house offices, attics and servants’ quarters. Gilbert, the man with a pioneering interest in vernacular culture, wrote extensively on vernacular furniture and is the most lauded furniture historian of the 20th century.
The contents of this book include short pieces on regional furniture at Temple Newsam House, Leeds, while the section on workhouse furniture (1987) includes mention of a large collection of accredited workhouse furniture held by the Norfolk Museum Service. One of their saddest acquisitions is a nasty narrow iron bedstead, 1836, from Thetford Union Workhouse, Norfolk, painted grey, with the the feet pierced with screwholes, while other short pieces include Christopher Gilbert’s Regional Furniture at Temple Newsam House (1985). A Bellringer’s Chair (1997) and Six Examples of Marked Provincial Furniture (1998).
Classic Gilbert, classic designs
Christopher Gilbert: Selected Writings on Vernacular Furniture 1966-98, published by the Regional Furniture Society, price £20 plus postage and available from The Membership Secretary, The Regional Furniture Society, 12 Swan Street, Sible Hedingham, Essex, CO9 3HP. See also the society’s Website at www.regionalhistorysociety.com for details of back issues of the society’s journals.
