Home     Current Stock     Interior Designers     Our History     Research and Restoration     Sales     Tony on TV     Location     Links   William Burges - Arts and Crafts Designers This extraordinary and imaginative architect and designer focused his romantic, idealised designs on the past, and in doing so was able to translate such ancient images in to a Victorian Present. His values stood by the restoration and revival of a utopian medieval England, challenging the weight of industrialisation and the neoclassical style. Burges’ practice is a traditional representation of the Gothic Revival period, shedding light on the Pre-Raphaelites, and falling directly in to the dominant, hand-crafted palms of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Burges’ education is owed to King’s College London, and his teacher Edward Blore, whom he was articled to in 1844. His medieval spirit first surfaced in 1849, when he was based in the offices of Sir Matthew Digby Wyatt producing the drawings for Wyatt’s book Metalwork (1852). 1855-56 saw the recognition of Burges’ designs; one for Lille Cathedral, and the Crimea Memorial Church in Constantinople, needless to say, he won prizes for both, despite neither being carried out. In 1862 however, he was able to claim his ecclesiastical title due to the realisation of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral in Cork, aged 35. Focusing predominantly on his success and executed designs, we are able to form a hearty list of notable commissions of churches, cathedrals, schools, and castles; Cardiff Castle (1866-1928) Castell Coch (1872-91) Gayhurst House, Buckinghamshire (1858-65) Knightshayes Court (1867-74) The Church of Christ the Consoler (1870-76) St Mary’s, Studley Royal, Yorkshire (1870-78) Park House, Cardiff (1871-80). In 1862, William Burges collaborated with William Slater and devised the Mediaeval Court for the International Exhibition, sharing a highly regarded knowledge of metalwork and mediaeval antiquities; this was done on behalf of the Ecclesiological Society. Burges’ skills were not limited to architecture, as demonstrated in a series of lectures ‘Art Applied to Industry’ for the Society of Arts in 1864. This myriad of topics included glass, pottery, brass and iron, gold and silver, furniture, the weaver’s art, external architectural decoration, metalwork, sculpture, and jewelry. Tower House: Although the external decoration was limited, it was compensated for via the interiors. The ground floor featured a drawing room, dining room and library; the first floor consisted of bedroom suites and a study. Each room was allocated a very specific theme; the hall is Time, in the drawing room, Love, in Burges's bedroom, the Sea. Many of Burges’ own works were present in the interior design of the house, highlighting his abilities as a jeweler, metalworker and designer, putting to use these accomplishments it was noted that the fittings were as elaborate as the furniture. A couple of pieces that were homed at Tower House were the Dog Cabinet and the Great Bookcase. Researched and written by Tony Geering & Kristy Campbell. Puritan Values Ltd, The Dome, St Edmunds Rd, Southwold, Suffolk, IP18 6BZ Tel: Tony 07966 371676 Credit Card Facilities and Interest Free Credit now available E-Mail:sales@puritanvalues.com