The Guild of Handicrafts was founded by C.R. Ashbee (1863-1942) in 1888. The guild, guided by the principles of carpentry, carving, cabinet making and decorative painting, endeavored to preserve the individualistic aspect of trademarking and honor traditional methods of crafting decorative arts during a time when the machine was becoming predominant. Much of the inspiration for works executed by the guild came from historic designs, like medieval works of art, and influences of the natural world. The simplistic yet decorative design of the stylized tree on the present lot is similar to the elaborate panels on writing cabinet designed by Ashbee and manufactured by The Guild of Handicrafts, circa 1899, for Lady Mary Lovelace.
The present lot is illustrated in J. Andrews, Arts and Crafts Furniture, Suffolk, 2005, pl. 78.