Biographies

Charles Francis Annesley Voysey (1857 – 1941) Originally trained as an architect, he established his own practice in 1882. His distinctive architectural style quickly received recognition, and he was persuaded to extend his obvious talents to incorporate all decorative forms, most notably textiles, wallpaper and carpets. His designs were published widely, exhibited at the Arts & Crafts Exhibition Society from 1888 and were highly influential. Voysey’s furniture was made by F C Nielsen, metalwork by Thomas Elsley & Co. and textiles by Alexander Morton, G. P. & J. Baker, A. H. Lee, J. W. & C. Ward, Stead McAlpin, Thomas Wardle, Turnbull & Stockdale, Donald Brothers, Foxton’s, Templeton’s, Tomkinson & Adam and to the shops Liberty’s, Story’s and Wylie & Lochead. Given his Quaker background there is, in his best work, an almost Shaker spareness to which he added simple elegance well suited to our clean lines philosophy of today. This furniture is still being reproduced by a number of manufacturers in England and America.