An Arts & Crafts Cotswold School 'Coxwell' design Australian Walnut chest of drawers by Gordon Russell, design no. 836 made in 1929, cabinetmaker C. Beadle. One of the rare early items from the 1920s period of totally hand-crafted production to the highest if standards, with the sought after printed paper label. . Featuring:

• Made in Solid Australian Walnut

• Rectangular top made out of just 2 continuous timber with chamfered edges

• 3 drawers (made with single plank fronts solid drawer carcasses joined with hand-cut lap and through dovetails central muntins and solid bases)

• Oak knobs

Approximate dimensions are:

• Overall Width 910mm (2 feet 11 3/4 inches)

• Overall Height 970mm (3 feet 2 inches)

• Overall Depth 560mm (1 foot 10 inches)

1929

Original Russell Workshops paper label underneath one drawer base

Excellent rich colour and grain, smoothly sliding drawers, free from woodworm and only a few very minor marks. Peg repairs to each drawer front. The knobs are probably not original. If you wish to have further specific photographs or talk to us for a more detailed condition report then please do not hesitate to contact us.

One of the most important names in British design and a leading maker of arts and crafts furniture. His early furniture was hand-made in small numbers to a very high standard, adopting the Cotswold School philosophy pioneered by Ernest Gimson and the Barnsleys of usefulness and truth to materials. Always passionate about high standards of craftsmanship, many of his 1930s designs evolved to bridge the gap from the early arts and crafts movement to modern, minimalist forms while retaining the quality of materials and construction expected of the best Arts & Crafts furniture

Walnut is truly special timber with a delicious range of brown and grey creamy colours. The amount of feature depends on where the tree was grown, the best being English with its decorative grain, deep colouring, lustre and durability. It is highly prized for high class furniture, although its high cost and scarcity mean that solid walnut is only found in the very best items

The Cotswold School was a development of the Arts and Craft Movement started largely by Ernest Gimson and the brothers Sidney and Ernest Barnsley. The furniture is instantly recognisable with its simple lines, attention to the finest of details, and use of beautiful materials. Cotswold School designs were crafted from local materials using traditional tools and techniques and with decorative details derived largely from utilitarian elements: exposed joinery, unusual panels, interesting pulls and latches crafted either from wood or from metal using traditional smithing techniques, and close attention to form as well as to wood grain and pattern. Where decorative details were added they generally took the form of traditional embellishment such as exposed joints, chamfered edges and chip carved edge details. The style was embraced and developed by other designers and craftsmen including Gordon Russell, Stanley Webb Davies in Cumbria, Sid Barnsley's son Edward, Arthur Romney Green in Hampshire, Robin Nance in St Ives and Ambrose Heal are a handful of such men out of many. The best developed their own style within the established tradition.