For Immediate Release: 16th July 2007

Contact: Iona Sale, IONA PR, 01451 832 268, 07721 030 825 or [email protected]

LOAN EXHIBITION: Prinknash Abbey Park COTSWOLD CRAFTSMEN GL4 8EX 1894 to the present day T: 01452 344499 F: 01452 814533 13th – 21st October 2007 [email protected] www.simonchorley.com Cotswold Craftsmen, a loan exhibition of historic and contemporary examples of work in the Cotswold Arts & Crafts tradition, organised by the Valleys Craftsmen in association with the auctioneers and valuers, Simon Chorley Art & Antiques, will be held at the auction rooms, Prinknash Abbey Park, Gloucestershire from Saturday 13th to Sunday 21st October 2007.

The exhibition marks the centenary of ’s arrival in Sapperton and 70 years since the death of and is a celebration of Cotswold craftsmanship.

The ideals of and inspired the Cotswold Arts & Crafts Movement, which began with the architects, and Ernest and Sidney Barnsley and continued with their later associates Norman Jewson, Peter Waals (Gimson’s foreman), and Alfred and Norman Bucknell. Gimson and the Barnsleys settled in Gloucestershire in the 1890s, first at Pinbury Park, then in Sapperton, and set up their workshops, making furniture to a high standard and unique design characterised by the use of exposed joints , stop-chamfers, gouged and chipped carved decoration. Whilst their work drew inspiration from the local materials and the rural surroundings it also incorporated exotics wood used in decorative inlays such as ebony and rosewoods.

The exhibition will show over 140 examples of historic work by the Cotswold group, mainly from private collections, including an Ernest Gimson Cabinet, a hand mirror by Peter Waals, a William Simmonds carving of a Calf , metalwork by Normal Bucknell, textiles by Rita Beales and Barron & Larcher, Ceramics decorated by Louise and Alfred Powell, and and paintings by Edward Payne.

The pioneering work of these craftsmen continues to influence design today and and the exhibition also has items by contemporary makers in the Arts & Crafts tradition including a table by Nigel Wilson, carvings by Pat Conoley, silk scarves and jewellery by Jean French, a bookbinding display by Anne Weare (daughter of Theo Merrett), a table and chairs by Paul Spriggs and furniture and metalwork by Christopher Vickers.

Opening hours: Daily from 10am – 4pm. Admission, £3 in aid of St John Ambulance. Prinknash Abbey is off the A46 near , Gloucestershire. Follow brown signs to Prinknash Abbey Park. Parking and refreshments are available.

Items Illustrated:

1. A Della Robbia ceramic plaque of St Michael The Arch Angel by Harold Rathbone, c 1900. 2. The Refugees, a wood carving by Pat Conoley, 1992. 3. A massive heraldic ceramic charger by Alfred & Louise Powell, c 1920. 4. A collection of furniture, all circa 1910. 5. A turned wood bowl painted in the Arts & Crafts style, possibly by Alfred & Louise Powell. 6. A Norman Bucknell brass wall sconce, decorated with acorns and oak leaves, c 1960. 7. A marble sculpture of a calf by William Simmonds, 1925, and once owned by Norman Jewson.

For press information or jpegs please contact Iona Sale, IONA PR on 01451 832 268 or [email protected] For exhibition information please contact Howard Bailey on 01453 759482.