Writing cabinet, about 1910

Small oak upright carved writing cabinet made by Arthur Simpson of Kendal in about 1910.

The front is elaborately carved with acanthus leaves and the motto: GOOD ORDER IS THE FOUNDATION OF ALL GOOD THINGS. It is fitted with a heart shaped brass keyhole and has three pigeonholes beneath. Inside the cabinet there are six further pigeon holes along the top with a writing surface below.

The design is very much inspired by the work of the Arts and Crafts architect and designer: CFA Voysey. Arthur W Simpson (1857-1922) of Kendal was an important woodcarver and furniture maker in the Arts and Crafts tradition. He trained as a carver at Gillows of Lancaster and also in Leicester and London. He ran a successful woodcarving business in Kendal from 1885. He designed, carved and made furniture and taught his craft at evening classes.

In 1889 he exhibited at the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society and exhibited at other national events and locally. He opened a showroom in Windermere in 1901 called ‘The Handicrafts’ which sold home furnishings. He produced work for the leading architects of the day including C F A Voysey and M H Baillie Scott and produced numerous wood carvings for churches. Voysey designed his own home ‘Littleholme’ in Kendal in 1910. He became a member of the Art Workers Guild in 1913.