Dr Christopher Dresser is best remembered for his pioneering advances in design and associated technology. In the new industrial world of the nineteenth century, Dresser was the first designer to understand that machinery was a good servant but a poor master; he made it his business to understand how machines worked. His success gained him credibility. Dresser became a sought-after consultant to several textile manufacturers, most notably Barlow & Jones, Tootal, Warner & Sons, Turnbull & Stockdale, and Wardle, which allowed him to establish the largest design practice in Britain by 1870. Equally, it was his success in promoting textiles at affordable prices that attracted his popular following in the press. Unlike his contemporaries, he was interested in making designs available to everyone. However, Dresser is less celebrated in comparison to other designers of the era, such as William Morris, because Dresser was obliged to abandon this campaign to improve British taste due to an unexplained illness in the early 1880s. At the same time, Morris was expanding his business just as the Arts and Crafts movement was beginning to gain momentum. Despite being the first Victorian to address the decorative needs of all the population, there is a severe lack of appreciation for Dresser's work - whose influence can be found in many textiles that we take for granted today. This book redresses that balance, giving Dresser the monograph he deserves. 118 colour, 26 b&w
Shipping costs are a fixed price at £4.95. Orders over £100 are free of charge.
What if my product isn't available at time of order?
When we receive an order, we will immediately despatch all the items that are available from stock. Any remaining items are despatched once they have all arrived in stock. This is to minimise the inconvenience of multiple parcel deliveries and to enable us to offer the facility of taking orders on out of stock items without extra charge. If you require any items on your order more urgently, please contact us by emailing shop@wattsgallery.org.uk or by calling 01483 813593
Has my order been despatched?
Once you have placed your order, you will receive an email informing you that your order has been despatched. If your order still hasn’t arrived within the advised timescales, please email shop@wattsgallery.org.uk or call 01483 813593 (Mon – Sat 10am –5pm).
Returns Policy
We hope you are pleased with your order. If anything you have ordered does not live up to your expectations just return it to us unused, in its original packaging, for an exchange or refund within 30 days. Unless the item is faulty, return postage will be at your cost. It is important that the goods are returned in the best possible condition so please pack them appropriately.
In the unlikely event that a product is faulty, please email alice.offer@wattsgallery.org.uk or call 01483 813593 (Mon -Sun 10am to 5pm). We will advise where and how the items should be returned.
Earrings may only be returned if the seal is unbroken (unless faulty). Our guarantee is in addition to your statutory rights.
How to return shop products
Please contact Watts Gallery- Artist's Village via email shop@wattsgallery.org.uk or by telephone 07807009547 (Monday- Sunday, 10am- 17pm) to let them know if you need to return an item.
Please return items to us unused and in pristine condition so they can be re-sold.
If you need a refund, we will issue this using the same payment details that were used to purchase the items. We aim to process all returns within 1 week but the refund could take up to an additional 10 working days to show in your account so please bear with us.
Contemporary Art
Art work should be returned to Watts Gallery Artists' Village within 14 days of receiving the order
Approved courier to be used, please contact alice.offer@wattsgallery.org.uk
Picture(s) are wrapped and in original perfect condition.
Please contact alice.offer@wattsgallery.org.uk for authorisation before returning.
Watts Contemporary Gallery address is: Down Lane, Compton, Guildford, Surrey GU31DQ