In honour of International Women’s Day on March 8th, we’re celebrating women artisans both past and present and highlighting their incredible work and contribution to Court Barn Museum.
Gold leaf decoration by Katherine Adams
T. J. Cobden-Sanderson, originally a barrister, learnt the bookbinding craft and thought there was no reason for women not to do the same. He gave lectures in 1888, 1889 and 1894 on this subject, inspiring one Sarah Prideaux to take up bookbinding, one of the first women bookbinders of this time. (Tidcombe, p. 21) Another local Gloucestershire bookbinder, generally regarded as one of the best known and finest woman bookbinders of this time was Katherine Adams (1862-1952). She trained with Sarah Prideaux and also T. J. Coben-Sanderson around 1897, setting up her own bindery in Lechlade and then Eadburgha, Gloucestershire and always took on women apprentices. She was born in Bracknell but the family moved to Gloucestershire and as a child her playmates were Jenny and May Morris (William and Jane’s daughters). Katherine also exhibited in Europe, North America and South Africa and her work is to be found in libraries, museums and private collections in this country and abroad. Binding all her life, Katherine achieved about 300 bindings.
Photograph of Katherine Adams
Bookbinding was a popular craft among women of the upper and middle classes, along with embroidery and illustration. As it was a home based activity and amateur in nature, it was not supposed to be in competition with skilled men. The necessity of working for a living was not a consideration for them either unlike working class women, and tuition was affordable from skilled men. This brought opportunities for these women to become skilled in the craft and to earn their own living.
Court Barn is fortunate to have several examples of Katherine Adam’s work on display.
Two of the books we stock at Court Barn are focused solely on women creators – the Women Pioneers of the Arts and Crafts Movement and the Short Story of Women Artists.
Women Pioneers of the Arts and Crafts Movement is a celebration of the work and ambition of the women who were at the heart of the most influential art and design movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It shines a light on the vital contribution of figures such as May Morris, Gertrude Jekyll, Annie Garnett and many others, and describes the Arts and Crafts Movement from the perspective of these women who worked against the odds as artists, makers, teachers, authors and entrepreneurs.
Women Pioneers of the Arts and Crafts Movement by Karen Livingstone
The Short Story of Women Artists tells the full history – from the breakthroughs that women have made in pushing for parity with male artists, to the important contributions made to otherwise male-dominated artistic movements, and the forgotten and obscured artists who are now being rediscovered and reassessed. Accessible, concise and richly illustrated, the book reveals the connections between different periods, artists and styles, giving readers a thorough understanding and broad enjoyment of the full achievements that female artists have made.
The Short Story of Women Artists by Susie Hodge
We are proud to stock over 60 female artisans in our museum shop. From pottery to glass and textiles, we showcase the immense talent of women in the 21st century. Come visit us to see for yourself!
