Christopher Dresser

A tiny design history lesson to start this week…

I learnt about Christopher Dresser when I saw his work in Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery a few days ago. Born in Glasgow in 1834, he has been described as the first industrial designer and was influential in the UK, France and the US.

Nice jugs aren’t they? Actually that second piece is a watering can, but it’s worthy of a place on your mantlepiece.

Unlike many of his contemporaries, including William Morris, Christopher Dresser embraced working with machines to create affordable and well-designed pieces for the house – from furniture and toast racks to fabrics and wallpapers. Style-wise, he was heavily influenced by Japanese arts and crafts.

That tile has a whiff of Florence Broadhurst (1899-1977) about it don’t you think?

He also wrote several books on design and decoration and opened his shop Art Furnisher’s Alliance on New Bond Street in 1880 before he died in 1904.

2 Responses to “Christopher Dresser”

  1. helene
    July 2, 2012 at 5:31 pm #

    As you say, “Nice jugs”, and I like the other examples of his work too.

  2. Michaelle
    July 7, 2012 at 5:21 pm #

    OMG I want that watering can! (ahem) I mean, nice jug. Wish someone would start a re-issue. I’ve been looking for a not-the-same-old watering can for aaaaages.

Leave a Reply

Leave your opinion here. Please be nice. Your email address will be kept private.