C. R. ASHBEE (1863-1942)(ATTRIBUTED DESIGNER) FOR THE GUILD OF HANDICRAFT LARGE ARTS & CRAFTS SEVEN-LIGHT ELECTROLIER, CIRCA 1910

patinated wrought iron with hammered and patinated copper shades and brass ceiling hook (Dimensions: 100cm diameter, 175cm high) (100cm diameter, 175cm high) Footnote: Provenance: Property from an Important Private Collection Literature: Ashbee, C.R. Suggestions for Light Fittings Art Journal, 1895 V&A Accession number M.60-2000 See Guild of Handicraft Trade Catalogue, circa 1900, p.58, where a similar wrought-iron ceiling light is illustrated Note: The openwork construction of this impressive light, the pendant fittings and the distinctive arrangement of electric wires are characteristic of Ashbee's work in the then relatively new medium of lighting for electricity. Ashbee, in his paper Suggestions for Light Fittings of 1895 was particularly interested to note that light from electricity fell instead of rose, as with candles and gas lighting. Many of his fittings employ the use of cowled reflectors which further direct the light downwards. He went on to state that “I prefer rest in a design and feel disturbed when three naked bronze children come rushing over the table with forty-eight candle-power hands full”. In the Art Journal article, Ashbee described a chandelier which he designed for the drawing-room of his house, the Magpie and Stump at 37 Cheyne Walk, as "a rather elaborate arrangement of a nine-pendant rose.... Here, almost the whole effect of the design is got in the manipulation of the cords, and - a little detail in light designing that is so often forgotten - their arrangement is such as to cast pleasing and broken shadows on the ceiling. The nine-pendant circular rose in question spins a sort of grand spider-web upon white plaster."