W.A.S. Benson Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Known for his iconic metalwork and innovative lighting designs, English architect and designer W.A.S. Benson was one of the most influential Arts and Crafts creators of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Born William Arthur Smith Benson in 1854, he studied classics and philosophy at the University of Oxford. Following graduation, he decided to pursue his interests in art and engineering by becoming an architect. After moving to London for an architecture apprenticeship, Benson met Pre-Raphaelite painter Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, who roused his creativity. With encouragement from Arts and Crafts movement pioneer William Morris, plus the metalwork expertise he had learned from his uncle, Benson opened a workshop in London’s Fulham neighborhood in 1880.
Towards the end of the 1880s, Benson closely studied emerging technologies in metalwork production, becoming a master in casting, turning, folding and riveting. With these skills, he added an artistic element to many of his designs, such as light fittings, plant stands, fireplace accessories and serving pieces. He displayed these in his first showroom opened on London’s Bond Street in 1887. That year, Benson became a founding member of the Art Workers’ Guild and campaigned with the National Exhibition of the Arts to have crafts presented as an art form.
By the turn of the 20th century when electricity was replacing gas and oil, Benson was particularly acclaimed for his domestic lighting designs, including table lamps, floor lamps, chandeliers and other decorative lighting. Demands for mass production of his designs grew, and Benson patented his metalwork and lighting to protect them from mediocre copies.
In 1893, Benson published Elements of Handicraft and Design. Three years later, upon Morris’s death, he purchased Morris and Co. with a colleague. He directed the furniture company until his retirement in 1917.
Before his death in 1924, Benson exhibited several times at the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society and contributed to famous design projects such as London’s Savoy Hotel. His metalwork and lighting pieces attracted critical attention from The Magazine of Art, The Studio: An Illustrated Magazine of Fine and Applied Art and German architect Hermann Muthesius in his book Das Englische Haus.
On 1stDibs, find a range of antique W.A.S. Benson lighting and serveware.
Early 1900s Arts and Crafts Antique W.A.S. Benson Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Copper
Early 1900s Arts and Crafts Antique W.A.S. Benson Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
Early 1900s Arts and Crafts Antique W.A.S. Benson Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Copper
20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau W.A.S. Benson Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Copper
Early 20th Century English Edwardian W.A.S. Benson Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Other
Early 1800s English George III Antique W.A.S. Benson Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Copper
Early 20th Century Rustic W.A.S. Benson Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Copper
Early 1800s English George III Antique W.A.S. Benson Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Copper
1950s North American Vintage W.A.S. Benson Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
Early 19th Century English George III Antique W.A.S. Benson Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Copper
19th Century English Antique W.A.S. Benson Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Brass
Early 1800s English George III Antique W.A.S. Benson Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Copper
19th Century English George III Antique W.A.S. Benson Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Copper
Early 19th Century English George III Antique W.A.S. Benson Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Copper
Late 19th Century Unknown French Provincial Antique W.A.S. Benson Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Copper
Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique W.A.S. Benson Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Brass, Copper
W.a.s. Benson serveware, ceramics, silver and glass for sale on 1stDibs.
Creators Similar to W.A.S. Benson
- How do I date a Benson watch?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 22, 2024To date a JW Benson watch, check the markings on its back. Most timepieces will feature British standard metal hallmarks as well as maker's marks. You can use online reference guides to determine the rough age of your watch based on these markings. Alternatively, you can consult a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. On 1stDibs, explore a selection of JW Benson watches.
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 27, 2025The famous photographer Benson is Harry Benson. Always in the right place at the right time, Benson has used his camera to give the world a glimpse into events rocking the globe. His black-and-white and color photographs include shots of celebrities, politicians, royalty, political upheavals and social revolutions. In 1989, Benson photographed the student protests in Tiananmen Square and the fall of the Berlin Wall. He was with President Clinton on his historic visit to Kosovo in 1999 and captured New York City in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Benson has also photographed every president since Eisenhower and took numerous images of Queen Elizabeth II. Shop a variety of Harry Benson photography on 1stDibs.
- Are JW Benson watches valuable?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 22, 2024Yes, some JW Benson watches are valuable. Select models made during the first two decades of the 20th century, particularly its trench watches that date back to World War I, may sell for thousands. However, other models are worth considerably less, though they may still have some value, as many JW Benson watches were silver and can therefore be sold for scrap. The potential selling price of a JW Benson timepiece depends on its style, age, materials, condition and other factors. A certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer can provide an expert valuation for any timepiece you own. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of JW Benson watches.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 22, 2024The history of JW Benson watches begins in 1855, when watchmaker J. W. Benson established a workshop in London. Within a decade, he was well-known throughout the city for his finely crafted watches and clocks. Following the founder's death in 1878, his sons, Alfred and Arthur, took over the company. Under their leadership, JW Benson unveiled a watch strap resistant to moisture and dust. It also received royal commendations from Queen Victoria, the Prince of Wales and the kings of both Denmark and Siam. During World War I, JW Benson contributed to the war effort by producing trench watches for soldiers. The business thrived during the following years, but its factory was bombed during World War II. JW Benson never resumed production of watches after the war but continued to run a shop on Bond Street, where it sold jewelry and timepieces crafted by other makers. This store closed in the 1980s when it was bought out by Mappin & Webb. On 1stDibs, explore a collection of JW Benson watches.