Be it never so humble... a sample of a work of art
Only the idealists of the Arts and Crafts movement could transform a humble display of wares into a decorative work of art, and the small manufacturing firm of Jesson Birkett and Co. had done just that with this sample board, right, offered at Bonhams’ Oxford sale on 17 September.
The plaque of properly quartered oak, measuring almost 2ft 8in (82cm) square, had been expertly moun…