Woodworker's Journal 2004 Spring, страница 7

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The furniture designs inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright — and other Prairie architects — were usually meant for a specific location. These oak pieces include a desk (above) for the Coonley House (built by George Niedecken) and an arm-chair for the Evans House.

Photos courtesy of The Art Institute of Chicago

Still, even the Prairie designers worshipped at the Arts & Crafts altar. Frank Lloyd Wright said in 1904, "[Morris] did sublime work ... when he fought the innate vulgarity of theocratic impulse in art as opposed to democratic; and when he preached the gospel of simplicity."

The Spirit Lives On

Ironically, in bringing art to the masses, Wright, the other Prairie architects, and his colleagues in the Mission and Arts & Crafts

"ir w£, our children and our successors, are to be true citizens and integral parts of the cottflonweaiith we ttust choose carefully the objects by which we surround ourselves" - GU5TAV STICKilCV

movements exercised their own theocratic impulses: their designs expressed what they considered divine.

Simplicity, democracy, tradition and nature were their ideals. It's arguable how well they practiced what they preached (Wright and Morris created designs only the wealthy could afford), but the Arts & Crafts designers and their Mission and Prairie apostles all thought a well-designed chair, for example, wasn't just good for the seat, it was good for the spirit.

George Grant Elmslie's mahogany tall clock, with its brass inlay and bronze, demonstrates the rectilinear qualities of the Prairie style.

At the dawn of the 21st century, bookstores are filled with spiritual tomes and the search for simple living. Like our counterparts a century ago, we're facing rapid technological changes that propel us into the future, while we gaze wistfully at an idyllic view of the past. We've resurrected a respect for handcrafting and for past traditions, including feng shui, an ancient science of furniture arrangement which, its proponents say, brings unity and morality into the home.

All these facets of our modern life touch on issues which the arts and crafts of a hundred years ago are ready to address. In this atmosphere, it's no wonder that those designs crafted with a mission still hold such appeal. @

Spring 2004 Arts & Crafts Furniture

Photo: Ron Jennings & Virginia Museum of Pine Arts, Richmond, The Sydney and Frances Lewis Endowment Fund.

with copper, pewter and mother-of-pearl details.

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