Stock ref: DS1219

1966

A rare and highly sought after Cotswold School Arts and Crafts square stool by James Cleasby Dent ( 1920 – 2003) featuring the carving details and skills he acquired whilst working at the renowned Stanley Webb Davies workshop in Windermere, Cumbria. Of
square form with octagonally carved and chamferred legs joined by arched stretchers. The top frame features tytpical SWD alternating thumbnail carved details and canted edges, supporting a woven tapestry drop-in seat pad.

A stretcher bears James’s trademark twin acorns  carved in high relief. The piece is also initialled and dated by James  in typical SWD fashion.

The wooden frame presents in superb waxed condition with no faults or staining and has a superb depth of colour. The original woollen tapestry seat  has some expected wear but remains useable.

James was born into a farming family in Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria. Interested in woodwork from an early age he started working with Stanley Webb Davies as a fee paying student, later becoming an apprentice and then a fully qualified craftsman.  He
worked at the SWD Gatesbield workshop until 1954, leaving to set up his own workshop in Ravenstondale near Kirkby Stephen, after his wife Kathleen took up a teaching post at the local village school. The church in Kirkby Stephen contains numerous examples
of his work and Stanley himself in 1976 is recorded as remarking that he regarded his font cover in the church as ” a masterpiece”. Hugh Wright’s acclaimed biography on Stanley Webb Davies contains many references to James Dent (see especially p 102,
109-111) I highly recommend it  to those interested in learning more about  Stanley Webb Davies and his talented craftsmen.

Size: 31.5(w) x 31.5(d) x 34(h)

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