A rare and important pair of Arts & Crafts wall lights designed and signed by William Arthur Smith Benson. The decorative wall lights designed with heavy cast-brass swirling fronds synonymous with Benson designs. The wall lights are now complimented with original John Walsh Walsh vaseline glass lampshades in the registered “Stripe & Dot” pattern No.436269. England c1900

Further Provenance:  please see final photo from book W.A.S Benson by Ian Hamerton with more basic design of light.

Ht.(overall)41cm/16in, Dpth(overall)34/13.5, Dpth.(bracket)29/11.5, Diam.(rear fixing back-plate)8.5/3.25, W.(floral back-plate)16.5/6.5

William Arthur Smith Benson, London

• William Arthur Smith Benson was an Arts and Crafts designer who campaigned with the National Exhibition of the Arts for “Crafts” to be exhibited as an art form which lead to the formation of the Arts and Crafts movement of the time.
• He originally studied Classics and Philosophy at Oxford but after finishing decided that he would be more suited to architecture, combining art and engineering, two of his interests.
• Benson began making metalwork and went on to set up his own workshop where he created and sold new designs specialising in the area of lighting.
• By 1900 Benson had reached his zenith both in England and on the continent. In Paris Benson’s light’s were displayed in Siegfrield Bing’s gallery “Maison L’art Nouveau”.
• Benson often, but not exclusively, used James Powell & Sons of Whitefriars to supply the glass lampshades for his fittings.
• Today Benson is considered to be the premier British arts and crafts lighting manufacturer of the period with his pieces being most sought after.