Rowntree oak table on the market

KEY pieces of furniture from the Rowntree Family of the famous Rowntree Mackintosh Limited includes an oak Arts & Crafts table (known in the family as the partners desk, from the offices of Rowntree Mackintosh Limited).

The Arts & Crafts movement during the final decades of the 19th century prompted the creation of furniture that is straight and simple in line. Other pieces included are chest of drawers, a large 2 piece desk, oak chairs etc all from the Rowntree Homestead in York.

The Quaker Rowntree family have long been connected with the city of York in Northern England, as it is there that they built the successful chocolate and confectionary factory, which was sold to Nestle in the late 1980’s.

A son of Seebohm Rowntree moved to Dublin in the 1940’s to work in the Rowntree Mackintosh factory in Inchicore which was developed in 1926. This son ( Julian Rowntree) is thought to have brought the furniture over from the Office and Homestead in York to furnish both the office and house that they originally lived in in Castleknock. Upon downsizing to a later residence in Rathfarnham, Julian passed the furniture to his eldest son Antony Rowntree – hence it has ended up in Navan.

The furniture is believed to have been in the Homestead, which was built in the eary twentieth century in the style of the Arts and Crafts. The older furniture may have come from Clifton Lodge where Joseph Rowntree (the founder of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation) lived. The Homestead now is home to this foundation.

The Auction takes place on Tuesday 12th December at 5 p.m at The Auction Rooms, John Street, Kells. Viewing is highly recommended and takes place on Sunday from 2 - 6, Monday 10 -7 and Day of Sale from 10 a.m.