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107
William Percy French (1854-1920)
SCRABO, COUNTY DOWN, 1905
watercolour
signed and dated lower left
9.5 by 21in. (24.13 by 53.34cm)
Presented in the original pokerwork frame with Celtic interlaced knot design.
A number of French’s watercolours were effectively framed by the Arts and Crafts workshop known first
as the Belfast School of Poker-Work and then as the Irish Decorative Art Association, run by Eta Lowry and
Mina Robinson and their team of women in Belfast. By 1900 specialising in Celtic interlaced pokerwork
patterns, their frequently exhibited work showed their application of “the ancient Celtic ornament to all
the articles of use and beauty which furnish the modern home”. Larmour records that, in 1904, almost all
Percy French’s paintings were exhibited with pokerwork frames decorated by the Association at its
annual summer show in Portrush, Co. Antrim. (See footnote no. 1) Some of these were intricately
delineated on the timber frame with competently rhythmic, inventive knotwork, ably balanced on all
four sides with modulating triple spirals to denote a change of design in the middle of each side. These
small circular devices recall the triskel, one of the main emblems of Celtic triadic paganism, perhaps
symbolizing, appropriately, the three realms of land, sea and sky. They may be seen in somewhat fish-like
forms, along with small interlaced crosses in the fine frame which French chose to set off the 1902
watercolour he painted to illustrate his immortal words, “Where Ever I go my heart turns back to the
County Mayo” (sold by Whyte’s in September 2005, lot 66) from the collection of Rupert Guinness, 2nd
Earl of Iveagh.
Nicola Gordon Bowe
Associate Fellow, NCAD; Visiting Professor, University of Ulster
(1) Paul Larmour, ‘The Irish Decorative Art Association’, The Arts and Crafts Movement in Ireland (Belfast
1992)
€6,000-€8,000 (£5,450-£7,270 approx.)
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