Lot 72
OWEN JONES (1809-1874) FOR TEMPLETON'S, GLASGOW
AXMINSTER CARPET, 1871 OR 1887
Paul Reeves: An Eye for Design feat. Textiles as Art II | 548
Auction: 14 February 2019 at 11:00 GMT
Description
the repeat-patterned field with bands of stylised flowerheads within further bands of Greek key design and with central eight-pointed star-shaped medallion, the whole within floral, foliate and Greek key borders, bears label verso
Dimensions
407cm x 279cm
Footnote
Note: This carpet comes from the archive of Templeton's material in the collection of Stoddard International, which absorbed Templeton's some thirty years ago. The design originates from 1871, when a similar example was exhibited by the cabinet-makers Jackson & Graham at the London International Exhibition.
The Art Journal Catalogue of the International Exhibition of 1871 illustrated the design and notes; 'we engrave on this page a carpet, exhibited by Messrs. Jackson & Graham - the renowned Upholsterers and Decorators. It is a work of rare excellence, produced from a design specially prepared by Owen Jones. It is of the kind called "patent Axminster", and is, we believe, the finest specimen of that fabric ever manufactured. Some idea of the delicacy of its texture may be arrived at when we state that there are two hundred and fifty-six points (or separate tufts of wool) in every square inch of surface. The drawing of the carpet, which is in the Persian style, is very elaborate; it has been exceedingly well rendered in the manufacture, and the colouring is in the highest degree harmonious. As, this year, one of the specialities of the Exhibition consists of 'woollen goods', it is exceedingly satisfactory to know that England has produces a work that may defy competition." (p.5)
Jackson & Graham collaborated with Jones on the interiors at Alfred Morrison's house, 16 Carlton House Terrace, in 1867. Widely recognised as one of the country's leading cabinet-makers, it is unsurprising that they would have had their carpets made by Templeton's, at that time one of the country's leading manufacturers.
Templeton's also developed a unique 'chenille' weaving technique, building specially designed looms for the process, and this is presumably the 'patent Axminster' weave mentioned above.
Unusually, the label which accompanies this particular carpet suggests the carpet was made sixteen years after the original was exhibited. It may be the archivist who wrote the label made a mistake in the dating and that this carpet could actually be the example exhibited in 1871.
The label mentioned above (see illustration) bears the inscription "Chenille Axminster carpet/ this carpet was made in 1887 for the library of 2 Park Circus for John Stewart Templeton. It has since been in the use of his daughter, Mrs D.H.L. Young and later his great-granddaughter Mrs W.E.H. Grayburn. It was passed to the firm in 1950 after 63 years of use. It is noted for its 16-shot fine worsted pile."