Visit to a newly created furniture gallery
in the Reid Building will form part of the GSA’s Mackintosh Tours from Sunday 1
February 2015
in the Reid Building will form part of the GSA’s Mackintosh Tours from Sunday 1
February 2015
The Glasgow School of Art is to put some of its
Mackintosh furniture back on display it was announced today, Tuesday 27 January
2015. The pieces, which were previously on show in the Mackintosh Room and
furniture gallery in the east wing of in the Mackintosh Building, were saved
from the building by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and have been in
storage for the last seven months.
Mackintosh furniture back on display it was announced today, Tuesday 27 January
2015. The pieces, which were previously on show in the Mackintosh Room and
furniture gallery in the east wing of in the Mackintosh Building, were saved
from the building by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and have been in
storage for the last seven months.
Now 20 pieces, including chairs, a linen press, a
bookcase, a master and slave clock and two rarely seen panels by Margaret
Macdonald, will go on display in a new furniture gallery created in the Reid Building.
The public will be able to visit this new furniture gallery as part of an
organised tour led by one of the GSA’s expert student guides from this coming Sunday,
1 February 2015.
bookcase, a master and slave clock and two rarely seen panels by Margaret
Macdonald, will go on display in a new furniture gallery created in the Reid Building.
The public will be able to visit this new furniture gallery as part of an
organised tour led by one of the GSA’s expert student guides from this coming Sunday,
1 February 2015.
“The Mackintosh
Room and furniture gallery were always highlights of the GSA Mackintosh Building
tours,” explains Juliet Fellows-Smith, Tours Co-ordinator for The Glasgow
School of Art. “Although it has not been
possible to visit the building since last May we have still been able to offer
special Mackintosh tours and are delighted that from this weekend we will also
include a visit to this new furniture gallery.”
Room and furniture gallery were always highlights of the GSA Mackintosh Building
tours,” explains Juliet Fellows-Smith, Tours Co-ordinator for The Glasgow
School of Art. “Although it has not been
possible to visit the building since last May we have still been able to offer
special Mackintosh tours and are delighted that from this weekend we will also
include a visit to this new furniture gallery.”
Among the works on show in the new gallery are the
master and one of the slave clocks from the innovative system which was
installed in the Mackintosh Building in 1910.
master and one of the slave clocks from the innovative system which was
installed in the Mackintosh Building in 1910.
“It
is widely recognised that Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s design for The Glasgow
School of Art was unique and innovative; not only the physical building but the
fixtures, fittings and furniture as well,” says Peter Trowles, GSA Mackintosh Curator.
is widely recognised that Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s design for The Glasgow
School of Art was unique and innovative; not only the physical building but the
fixtures, fittings and furniture as well,” says Peter Trowles, GSA Mackintosh Curator.
“In
1910 Mackintosh provided designs for a series of simple, wooden, wall-mounted
clocks to be used in the studios and in the more public areas of the building.
This was to be one of his last ever designs for the School. Significantly, the
wall ‘slave’ clocks were electrically run from a central ‘master’ clock which
relied upon the very latest technology of the day: a pulse-operated or
‘synchronome’ mechanism manufactured by the important Glasgow firm of Dykes Brothers.”
1910 Mackintosh provided designs for a series of simple, wooden, wall-mounted
clocks to be used in the studios and in the more public areas of the building.
This was to be one of his last ever designs for the School. Significantly, the
wall ‘slave’ clocks were electrically run from a central ‘master’ clock which
relied upon the very latest technology of the day: a pulse-operated or
‘synchronome’ mechanism manufactured by the important Glasgow firm of Dykes Brothers.”
Regrettably, a number of the slave clocks were
lost in the in the fire last May, but the majority were saved including
examples in both the east and west wings of the building. Specialist horologist
Nick Sanders will re-connect the master with one of the slaves so that visitors
can see how the system, which was ground-breaking in its time, worked.
lost in the in the fire last May, but the majority were saved including
examples in both the east and west wings of the building. Specialist horologist
Nick Sanders will re-connect the master with one of the slaves so that visitors
can see how the system, which was ground-breaking in its time, worked.
“What’s special about the system is that before
its installation all the clocks had to be wound up and adjusted every week,” adds Peter Trowles. “As every clock would have to be wound by hand, some by key, they could
have been as much as ten minutes out. With this state of the art system all the
clocks moved together meaning that they were all accurate.”
its installation all the clocks had to be wound up and adjusted every week,” adds Peter Trowles. “As every clock would have to be wound by hand, some by key, they could
have been as much as ten minutes out. With this state of the art system all the
clocks moved together meaning that they were all accurate.”
Visitors will be also able to see two embroidered
panels by Mackintosh’s wife, Margaret Macdonald, which are rarely exhibited.
The last time they were on public display was when they were loaned out for the
Klimt exhibition in Japan in 2012
panels by Mackintosh’s wife, Margaret Macdonald, which are rarely exhibited.
The last time they were on public display was when they were loaned out for the
Klimt exhibition in Japan in 2012
“Margaret
Macdonald’s Heart of the Rose gesso panel was a very popular piece in the original
furniture gallery,” explains Fellows-Smith. “However, as this piece needed some conservation work which was unrelated
to the impact of the fire we decided to include others of her works in the new
gallery whilst this work was being undertaken. Macdonald was an important Glasgow
Style designer in her own right as well as working in partnership with
Mackintosh.”
Macdonald’s Heart of the Rose gesso panel was a very popular piece in the original
furniture gallery,” explains Fellows-Smith. “However, as this piece needed some conservation work which was unrelated
to the impact of the fire we decided to include others of her works in the new
gallery whilst this work was being undertaken. Macdonald was an important Glasgow
Style designer in her own right as well as working in partnership with
Mackintosh.”
For full
details of the pieces that will be on show in the new furniture gallery see
Notes for Editors.
details of the pieces that will be on show in the new furniture gallery see
Notes for Editors.
A visit to the furniture gallery will be included
in the GSA’s Mackintosh tours from 1 February 2015. The tours, priced £9.75
(with a range of concessions) are led by expert student guides and take place
at 11am, 1pm and 3pm in February with 10am and 4pm tours added in March. Tours
depart half hourly over the summer. For further information and to book a tour
visit: www.gsa.ac.uk/visit-gsa/mackintosh-at-the-gsa-tour/timetables-tickets
in the GSA’s Mackintosh tours from 1 February 2015. The tours, priced £9.75
(with a range of concessions) are led by expert student guides and take place
at 11am, 1pm and 3pm in February with 10am and 4pm tours added in March. Tours
depart half hourly over the summer. For further information and to book a tour
visit: www.gsa.ac.uk/visit-gsa/mackintosh-at-the-gsa-tour/timetables-tickets
Ends
Further information:
Lesley Booth
GSA Press and Media
0779 941 4474
Notes for
Editors
Editors
Pair of
embroidered panels, by M. Macdonald
embroidered panels, by M. Macdonald
An early variation of these
panels was first shown by Margaret Macdonald at the Vienna Secession in
November 1900
panels was first shown by Margaret Macdonald at the Vienna Secession in
November 1900
Linen press
for John Henderson
for John Henderson
‘One of the earliest surviving pieces with repousse
panels designed by Mackintosh. Although probably made by cabinetmakers such as
Guthrie & Wells, it has none of the more traditional mouldings that appear
on the commercial bedroom units, probably because Mackintosh was designing
directly for a client. (Roger Billcliffe).
panels designed by Mackintosh. Although probably made by cabinetmakers such as
Guthrie & Wells, it has none of the more traditional mouldings that appear
on the commercial bedroom units, probably because Mackintosh was designing
directly for a client. (Roger Billcliffe).
High-back
chair for Argyle Street Tea Rooms
chair for Argyle Street Tea Rooms
Designed for 120 Mains Street, Glasgow and also for
the Luncheon Room, Argyle Street Tea Rooms, Glasgow. Stylistically, the most
advanced piece of furniture designed for Argyle Street and used by Mackintosh
again in his own flat.
the Luncheon Room, Argyle Street Tea Rooms, Glasgow. Stylistically, the most
advanced piece of furniture designed for Argyle Street and used by Mackintosh
again in his own flat.
Bookcase for
Windyhill
Windyhill
Designed for the drawing
room at Windyhill, Kilmacolm. Originally designed, on simpler lines, as a toy
chest for the playroom, then amended and elaborated as a bookcase for the
drawing room. A very large piece of furniture placed against the west wall of
the room
room at Windyhill, Kilmacolm. Originally designed, on simpler lines, as a toy
chest for the playroom, then amended and elaborated as a bookcase for the
drawing room. A very large piece of furniture placed against the west wall of
the room
Mirror for
Windyhill
Windyhill
Designed for the principal bedroom at Windyhill,
Kilmacolm. A much simpler design than the cheval mirror used at 120 Mains
Street.
Kilmacolm. A much simpler design than the cheval mirror used at 120 Mains
Street.
Smokers’
Cabinet with beaten copper panels
Cabinet with beaten copper panels
Designed for 120 Mains Street, Glasgow. An exact
replica of the cabinet made in 1899 and sold at the Vienna Secession exhibition
in 1900.
replica of the cabinet made in 1899 and sold at the Vienna Secession exhibition
in 1900.
Ladder-back
chair for Willow Tea Rooms
chair for Willow Tea Rooms
Designed for the Willow Tea Rooms, Glasgow. These
chairs were ‘the most successful solution of Mackintosh’s attempts to use traditional,
vernacular designs’ (Roger Billcliffe). However, they evidently proved too
fragile in use, for all the surviving examples have had an additional cross
piece fixed to the top of the uprights (apparently at an early date) to support
them. This chair was used in conjunction with the low boxy chair as the main
seating unit in the Willow Tea Rooms.
chairs were ‘the most successful solution of Mackintosh’s attempts to use traditional,
vernacular designs’ (Roger Billcliffe). However, they evidently proved too
fragile in use, for all the surviving examples have had an additional cross
piece fixed to the top of the uprights (apparently at an early date) to support
them. This chair was used in conjunction with the low boxy chair as the main
seating unit in the Willow Tea Rooms.
Waitress stool
for Willow Tea Rooms
for Willow Tea Rooms
These chairs do not appear in any contemporary
photographs, but the provenance suggests that they came from the Willow Tea
Rooms as the Grosvenor Restaurant owned Willow furniture.
photographs, but the provenance suggests that they came from the Willow Tea
Rooms as the Grosvenor Restaurant owned Willow furniture.
Armchair for
Willow Tea Rooms
Willow Tea Rooms
Designed for the Willow Tea Rooms, Glasgow. ‘A very
sturdy but not particularly comfortable chair, used in the ground floor
saloons, the Gallery and the Smoking room… Their boxy shape contrasts with
the taller and more open ladder-backs arranged alongside them in the layout of
furniture which Mackintosh devised.’ (Roger Billcliffe)
sturdy but not particularly comfortable chair, used in the ground floor
saloons, the Gallery and the Smoking room… Their boxy shape contrasts with
the taller and more open ladder-backs arranged alongside them in the layout of
furniture which Mackintosh devised.’ (Roger Billcliffe)
Order desk
chair for Willow Tea Rooms
chair for Willow Tea Rooms
Designed as the order desk, at the Willow Tea Rooms,
Glasgow. ‘One of the most impressive and novel of Mackintosh’s chairs, it stood
in the centre of the ground floor saloons, isolated and defining the point at
which the white Front Saloon became the dark Back Saloon. Designed six months before
the curved screen at Hous’hill, it plays the same role in acting as a
transparent division between two spaces which are actually part of the same
room… The front of the seat also serves as a small locker or chest… The
chest was provided for the supervisor who took orders from the waitresses and
passed them to the kitchen by dropping coloured balls, coded to each dish on
the menu, down a tube to the kitchen below.’ (Roger Billcliffe).
Glasgow. ‘One of the most impressive and novel of Mackintosh’s chairs, it stood
in the centre of the ground floor saloons, isolated and defining the point at
which the white Front Saloon became the dark Back Saloon. Designed six months before
the curved screen at Hous’hill, it plays the same role in acting as a
transparent division between two spaces which are actually part of the same
room… The front of the seat also serves as a small locker or chest… The
chest was provided for the supervisor who took orders from the waitresses and
passed them to the kitchen by dropping coloured balls, coded to each dish on
the menu, down a tube to the kitchen below.’ (Roger Billcliffe).
Low back
armchair for GSA Director’s office
armchair for GSA Director’s office
Designed for the Director’s Room at The Glasgow School
of Art. Twelve chairs were made in 1904 for the GSA, but William Davidson then acquired
a further two.
of Art. Twelve chairs were made in 1904 for the GSA, but William Davidson then acquired
a further two.
Armchair for
GSA Boardroom
GSA Boardroom
Designed for the (new) Board Room, at The Glasgow
School of Art. A more elaborate version of the chairs designed for the original
Board Room in 1899.
School of Art. A more elaborate version of the chairs designed for the original
Board Room in 1899.
Barrell chair
for Oak Room, Ingram Street Tea Rooms
for Oak Room, Ingram Street Tea Rooms
Designed for the Ingram Street Tea Rooms, Glasgow.
‘One of the sturdiest and most successful small chairs designed by Mackintosh.
The chair was used in the Chinese Room in the late 1940s but there is no record
of it being specifically designed for it.’ (Roger Billcliffe).
‘One of the sturdiest and most successful small chairs designed by Mackintosh.
The chair was used in the Chinese Room in the late 1940s but there is no record
of it being specifically designed for it.’ (Roger Billcliffe).
Master and
Studio (slave) Clock for GSA
Studio (slave) Clock for GSA
One of a series of electric slave clocks located
through the Glasgow School of Art and run from a central ‘master’ clock.
through the Glasgow School of Art and run from a central ‘master’ clock.
Chair for
Chinese Room, Ingram Street Tea Rooms
Chinese Room, Ingram Street Tea Rooms
Designed for the Blue or Chinese Room at the Ingram
Street Tea Rooms, Glasgow. The fretted back and side rails match the Chinese
style motifs of the Blue Room (as called in the job books). Much of the
woodwork in the Chinese Room was painted bright blue or red, but there is no
trace of any finish having been applied to these chairs other than the
ebonising which most of them still display. (Roger Billcliffe).
Street Tea Rooms, Glasgow. The fretted back and side rails match the Chinese
style motifs of the Blue Room (as called in the job books). Much of the
woodwork in the Chinese Room was painted bright blue or red, but there is no
trace of any finish having been applied to these chairs other than the
ebonising which most of them still display. (Roger Billcliffe).
Domino Table
for Chinese Room, Ingram Street Tea Rooms
for Chinese Room, Ingram Street Tea Rooms
Designed for the Blue or Chinese Room at the Ingram
Street Tea Rooms, Glasgow.
Street Tea Rooms, Glasgow.
Settle for Dug
Out Tea Room
Out Tea Room
Designed for The Dug-Out, Willow Tea Rooms, Glasgow.
Mackintosh’s watercolour designs for the Dug-Out show a very similar settle
(painted yellow) in the staircase vestibule and presumably this is where the
piece was originally placed. It is a smaller variant of the Derngate hall
settle. Whilst the property of the Grosvenor Restaurant, it was probably
painted black, but when it was returned from exhibition in Helsinki (early in
1983) damage to the surface revealed yellow paint-work underneath. When the black
paint was stripped it was clear that the entire settle had been painted yellow,
and on the lower surfaces the original paint-work was intact, allowing accurate
colour matching for repainting
Mackintosh’s watercolour designs for the Dug-Out show a very similar settle
(painted yellow) in the staircase vestibule and presumably this is where the
piece was originally placed. It is a smaller variant of the Derngate hall
settle. Whilst the property of the Grosvenor Restaurant, it was probably
painted black, but when it was returned from exhibition in Helsinki (early in
1983) damage to the surface revealed yellow paint-work underneath. When the black
paint was stripped it was clear that the entire settle had been painted yellow,
and on the lower surfaces the original paint-work was intact, allowing accurate
colour matching for repainting
Ladder-back
armchair for Dug-Out Tea Room
armchair for Dug-Out Tea Room
Designed for the Dug-Out, Willow Tea Rooms. Mackintosh
designed similar ladder-back chairs for the guest bedroom for Bassett-Lowke at
78 Derngate in Northampton.
designed similar ladder-back chairs for the guest bedroom for Bassett-Lowke at
78 Derngate in Northampton.