Rare CFA Voysey designed antique
bookplate for
Beatrice Emily & James Morton
1901.
In "Symbolism in Design" Voysey
identified this design as the joint bookplate of Beatrice Emily & James
Morton.
The lady is of
Irish descent, while her husband hails from Scotland, hence the thistle and the shamrock
are growing together, whilst the birds stand sentry over the
united hearts.
Beatrice & James Morton were
an artistic couple whe shared ideas about fine craftsmanship, politics &
patronage of the arts.
They surrounded themselves with
the latest art & furnishings of the day,
much of which was designed or made
by artists &
craftsmen who became their close friends.
This bookplate commemorates
their wedding, on 21st March 1901.
The pair of
interlocking hearts, which represents the Mortons union,
is a symbolic device
often found in Voyseys pattern designs.
James was the son of Alexander
Morton who founded the textile manufacturing company in Ayrshire in 1870. In 1895 James
became a partner in the firm, transforming production by using avant-garde
designers such as Voysey.
These fabrics were sold through
retailers such as Liberty & Morris & Co in
London, and Wylie &
Lochhead in Glasgow.
The bookplate
contained within the book
'Alpen Flora'
by
Ludwig & Dr C. Schroter
ZURICH
Delightfully
illustrated, the text in German.This
copy was in James Morton's own Library,
Inscribed inside 'Bought
in Berne 1897'
Click on image for more
information.
Sold
|