W.A.S. Benson, A Rare & Unique Five-Arm Chandelier with Vaseline Powell Shades.

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W.A.S. Benson, A Rare & Unique Five-Arm Chandelier with Vaseline Powell Shades.

About the Item

W. A. S. Benson. 1854 - 1924. and James Powell of Whitefriars. A rare and beautiful to nature chandelier with copper leaf plates and original James Powell Vaseline conical shades with copper petal collars, each etched with Rd Numbers. An exceptional example of Arts and Crafts lighting from the period by the greatest lighting designer and maker in Great Britain of the late 19th and early 20th Century W A S Benson studied Classics and Philosophy at Oxford, then trained as an architect yet only designing houses for his friends and close relatives. He followed his heart and found his forte in lighting, electrical engineering and metal work design. In a letter to his mother he wrote ‘the long and the short of it is, I must make something or be miserable… I think there’s every chance of profit as well as pleasure’. In the 1880s Benson met Sir Edward Burne-Jones, who would have a great influence on his life. He encouraged Benson’s interest to make things, and it is believed that Benson designed and made items of armour, crowns and models of ships, for Burne-Jones’ paintings. Burne Jones introduced the young Benson to William Morris becoming life long friends. Benson had a large factory in Hammersmith and in 1887 opened a shop in Bond St. He also sold his lighting through Morris and Co and supplied lighting for many of the Morris and Co interior commissions. He was a member of the Art Workers' Guild from 1884, helped form the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society from 1886. He went on to become the chairman of Morris and Co after William Morris died on Oct 3rd 1896 where he designed furniture and wallpapers and in 1914, he became a founder member of the Design and Industries Association. He retired and closed his factory in 1920.

Creator:
William Arthur Benson (Designer)
Dimensions:
Height: 60 in (152.4 cm)Width: 28 in (71.12 cm)Depth: 28 in (71.12 cm)
Style:
Arts and Crafts (Of the Period)
Period:
20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1900
Condition:
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU224336183183