The Yorkshire, England-born Charles Francis Annesley Voysey is considered a pioneer of modern architecture — and the Arts and Crafts designer is as well known for his fabrics, carpets, wallpaper and other furnishings as he is for his celebrated building projects.
The son of a reverend who founded the Theistic Church in London, Voysey was the third of 10 children. Inspired by his father's teachings, Voysey adhered to principles of simplicity and reliability in all of his work, principles that defined the Arts and Crafts movement in Britain to which the architect would one day be linked.
C.F.A. Voysey received his education at home and subsequently studied for a time at Dulwich College. He didn't consider himself an intellectual and chose the field of architecture because it was the only profession where he didn't have to pass any examinations. After completing his education, Voysey went on to apprentice under Gothic Revivalist architect John Pollard Seddon.
In his mid-20s, Voysey established his architectural practice and was securing design commissions for modest residences. He was meanwhile beginning to design wallpaper and rugs that featured decorative floral motifs for the likes of textiles manufacturers such as Turnbull & Stockdale and wallpaper producers Jeffrey & Company.
Rather than embellishing his textiles with depictions of realist scenes, Voysey favored stylized patterns that drew on the natural world — the large-scale flowers, birds and forest creatures that populated his works undoubtedly influenced the Art Nouveau movement.
Voysey also produced uncomplicated furniture such as sideboards with oak finishes and Shaker-style doors and panels. In every area of design, he favored minimalism — Voysey found inspiration in the work of William Morris and became friendly with Arts and Crafts architect Edward Schroeder Prior. Voysey worked in limited colors and avoided the ornamental excess that was associated with Victorian furnishings and interiors.
By 1890, Voysey's architectural practice had begun to flourish, and after 1900, he insisted on creating every aspect of the homes he was designing, such as interiors and furnishings, an attribute he shared with Frank Lloyd Wright. He produced carpets for Alexander Morton & Co. in Donegal — Gustav Stickley, founder of the American Craftsman style, sold these carpets in his catalogs — and became well known for his design of country homes, which harkened back to the days of simple, thatch-roofed cottages. A number of Voysey’s furnishings and textiles are held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Find antique Charles F.A. Voysey furniture on 1stDibs.
Important Arts & Crafts Cupboard By C.F.A. Voysey
By Charles Voysey
Located in Petworth, GB
Important Arts & Crafts cupboard with large panelled single door Projecting architectural mouldings, raised on ball feet 2 shelves within and a brass heart shaped escutcheon Oak ...
Brass
French Vintage Baker's Cupboard
Located in Calgary, Alberta
A practical and very appealing vintage French baker’s cupboard. Constructed in two sections, this tall storage piece has eight framed panel doors—four above and four below—retaining ...
Iron
English Ebonized Cupboard
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Early 19th C English ebonized cupboard with hanging rail. 1830 Internal reference: C
Mahogany, Oak, Pine
$5,212
H 21.26 in W 28.35 in D 9.06 in
Alfred Wickham Jarvis Attributed, an Arts & Crafts Walnut Hanging Cupboard
Located in London, GB
Alfred Wickham Jarvis attributed An Arts and Crafts walnut hanging cupboard with stylized floral gesso panel to the door, the stylized copper handle made by Richard Rathbone.
Walnut
Ebonised and Oak Cupboard by Franz Schuster
By Franz Schuster
Located in London, England
Ebonised and oak cupboard by Franz Schuster. Early twentieth century with original lock and key. H 67cm x W 51cm x D 30cm Germany circa 1930
Oak
Pine Chimney Cupboard
Located in East Aurora, NY
A nice 19th century primitive Pine two door Chimney Cupboard in older red paint over the original Salmon color. Through mortise and tenon joint construction on the doors and removab...
Pine
$3,429 / set
H 33.6 in W 24 in D 15 in
Betty Joel Attri Arts & Crafts Oak Tallboy and Matching Petite Chest of Drawers
By Betty Joel
Located in London, GB
Betty Joel, attributed, an Arts & Crafts oak tallboy and matching petite chest of drawers with hand crafted handles and angled feet. Tall boy measures H 62 1/2", W 36 1/4", D 19 1/2"...
Oak
$16,919
H 74 in W 51.5 in D 21.5 in
Unique Great Arts & Crafts Cabinet from Liberty & Co, Marked, Late 19th Century
By Leonard Wyburd, Liberty & Co.
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning Arts and Crafts cupboard by one of the greatest. This wonderful handcrafted, stained oak cabinet was probably designed by Leonard Francis Wyburd (1865-1958) as it exhibits several style elements that are typical for his designs for Liberty & Co in the late 19th century. We have no pictures in books or other evidence, but the pieces from his hand that can be found on the internet reveal style elements that are very similar and they were used by no one else. The design of this incredibly artistic piece shows both the influences of Medieval and Rural Britain. It were these early and amazing pieces of furniture from the Liberty Studio (headed by Wyburd) that made people across the continent speak of the 'Stile Liberty'. Designers like Wyburd and pieces of furniture like this amazing cabinet, influenced and shaped the entire development of the Jugendstil and Art Nouveau in Europe. That too makes this rare piece important for collectors and possibly for museums around the world. This cupboard is a work of art and it is an absolute joy to look at. It is all made of solid and stained oak and apart from the stunning and impressive overal design with the overhanging top with supporting beams, there are some key style elements that make this cabinet really stand out. First of all, there is the ever so true saying which is embossed in copper in beautiful Arts and Crafts letters which reads 'WELCOME IS THE BEST CHEER'. Secondly, there are the rare leather panels in the doors which come with (faded) images in slight reliëf. The one on the left is of a man in a hat and tights and he is playing a mandolin. The leather artwork...
Brass, Copper
Sand Senses Cupboard in Wood by Hillsideout
By Hillsideout, Rossana Orlandi
Located in Milan, IT
The Sand Senses cupboard features materials made with sand and surface that stimulate senses when touched. Sand seems to have no limit. Burnt sand makes the Murano glass transparent. Concrete incorporates more than one type of sand - one comes from the river and the other one has been transformed through a chemical process. Wood is sandblasted and treated with oil-wax to obtain the smoothest surface possible. Geometric shapes can be found in the concrete legs, in the cupboard doors, as well as on the top enriched with openings in colored Murano glass. With its four colorful doors, two drawers and several shelves, this piece turns out to be a very aesthetically pleasing and practical cupboard; representing the perfect solution for both storing and showcase use...
Concrete
Tall Teak Cupboard / Bar by A. Younger Ltd.
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: England Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: A. Younger Ltd Era: 1960s Materials: Teak, Afromosia Measurements: 33″ wide x 18″ deep x 51″ tall
Teak
English Oak Arts & Crafts Hall Cupboard
Located in London, GB
A monumental, late 19th/early 20th century Arts & Crafts hall cupboard constructed from stained solid oak timber. Of stylistically typical, tapering form with decorative forged and h...
Oak
Match Box Lord Cupboard by Diederik Schneeman
By Diederik Schneemann
Located in Milan, IT
Made from 10.000 matchboxes collected from the period 1960-1995 from all-over the world. ‘Cherished’ is Diederik Schneemann’s latest project revolving around the concept of collectin...
Brass, Bronze
19th Century Arts & Crafts Gothic Carved Oak Court Cupboard
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th century Arts & Crafts Gothic carved oak court cupboard This is a very attractive piece of carved oak furniture, the top section has a long cupboard...
Oak