As part of a major new project for the BBC – A History of the World - the BBC asked a history expert from Gloucestershire to help choose ten items to represent the county. Andrew Fox, who’s in charge of Gloucester City Council’s two Museums – the City Museum and Art Gallery and the Folk Museum – helped BBC Radio Gloucestershire’s managing editor Mark Hurrell to select the objects. According to Andrew there was much debate and friendly argument.
Piano designed by CR Ashbee and made by John Broadwood & Sons in 1900.
This piano designed by Charles Robert Ashbee (1863-1942) in 1898-9 and made by John Broadwood & Sons in 1900. The Guild he had founded soon established an international reputation for design and workmanship. In 1902, believing that ‘the proper place for the Arts and Crafts is in the country’ Ashbee and the Guild moved to Chipping Campden.
The piano was a wedding present to his wife Janet, who loved music. It was a focal point in the Ashbee household, even accompanying them to Jerusalem, and Ashbee’s daughters remembered Janet playing the piano while they danced. It is decorated by Morris and Company artist Walter Taylor with an illustrated poem by Ashbee. Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum has a nationally significant collection relating to the Arts and Crafts Movement.
The Full List of Ten Objects from Gloucestershire
- The Orpheus Pavement, Woodchester
- The lawnmower, invented in Stroud
- Erinoid Plastic Samples
- The Birdlip Grave Group
- Portrait of John Coxwell (1516-1614)
- Robert Mushet portrait
- Spare Front Wheel from the Gloster E28/39
- The Carne Cross
- Piano designed by CR Ashbee
- The Edward Jenner horn
