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Items in The Glasgow School of Art's Mackintosh collection include: furniture, watercolours, drawings, architectural drawings, design drawings, sketchbooks, metalwork and photographs.

Mackintosh studied evening classes at the Glasgow School of Art between 1883-1894, winning numerous student prizes and competitions including the prestigious Alexander Thomson Travelling Studentship in 1890. Mackintosh and his contemporaries also produced four volumes of a publication called "The Magazine" during their time as students, which included examples of their writing and artworks. GSA Archives and Collections hold Mackintosh's Italian Sketchbook, as well as all four volumes of The Magazine, all of which can be browsed on our catalogue.

The majority of Mackintosh's three-dimensional work was created with the help of a small number of patrons within a short period of intense activity between 1896 and 1910. Francis Newbery was headmaster of The Glasgow School of Art during this time and was supportive of Mackintosh's ultimately successful bid to design a new art school building in 1896 - his most prestigious undertaking. For Miss Kate Cranston he designed a series of Glasgow tearoom interiors and for the businessmen William Davidson and Walter Blackie, he was commissioned to design large private houses, 'Windyhill' in Kilmacolm and 'The Hill House' in Helensburgh. In Europe, the originality of Mackintosh's style was quickly appreciated and in 1900 he was invited to participate at the 8th Vienna Secession.

In 1902 Mackintosh was invited to participate at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative Art in Turin and later at exhibitions in Moscow and Berlin. Despite this success Mackintosh's work met with considerable indifference at home. Few private clients were sufficiently sympathetic to want his 'total design' of house and interior and he was incapable of compromise.

By 1914 Mackintosh had despaired of ever receiving true recognition in Glasgow and together with his wife Margaret Macdonald he moved, temporarily, to Walberswick on the Suffolk Coastline (in England), where he painted many fine flower studies in watercolour. In 1915 the Mackintoshes settled in London and for the next few years Mackintosh attempted to resume practice as an architect and designer. The designs he produced at this time for textiles, for the 'Dug-out' Tea Room in Glasgow and the dramatic interiors for 78 Derngate in Northampton, England show him working in a bold new style of decoration, using primary colours and geometric motifs.

In 1923 the Mackintoshes left London for the South of France, finally living in Port Vendres where Mackintosh gave up all thoughts of architecture and design and devoted himself entirely to painting landscapes. He died in London, of cancer, on 10 December 1928.

The majority of Mackintosh's design work, (including furniture and metalwork), architectural drawings, textile designs and watercolours are in the possession of three public collections - The Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow Museums, and the Hunterian Art Gallery at the University of Glasgow - although significant (individual) pieces can be found in museums across the UK and Europe, North America and Japan. However, some of Mackintosh's most important, symbolist watercolours from the early to mid-1890s are to be found in the collection of The Glasgow School of Art.

The Glasgow School of Art Archives and Collections hold a large number of items by Mackintosh, giving us one of the largest collections of his work held in public ownership. The collection is one of 50 Recognised Collections of National Significance to Scotland. We continue to investigate new routes of engagement for the collection. For example, our Mac(k)cessibility project in conjunction with GSA’s School of Simulation and Visualisation explores digital display and loans of our Mackintosh furniture. Find out more about the Mac(k)cessibility project here.

Commissioned by Walter Blackie, the carpet was designed for the entrance hall at The Hill House in Helensburgh.

This item was lost in the fire in The Mackintosh Building at The Glasgow School of Art on 23rd May 2014, only a small damaged fragment remains.

In 1986 a reproduction of the original Hill House carpet was sponsored by Arthur Anderson and Company and woven by BMK of Kilmarnock for use within the GSA's Mackintosh Room. The reproduction carpet was accurately colour-matched with the original, but woven to a slightly larger scale. A small colour swatch used as the basis for the full-scale reproduction is held by the School's Archives and Collections.

Designed for Director's Room, Glasgow School of Art. 'This large table may well have been designed for meetings of the Board of Governors, who rarely used the original Board Room which was eventually taken over as a studio. It was designed with two high backed armchairs and twelve low backed armchairs and was photographed in 1910 in the new Board Room which Mackintosh had provided for the Governors, and not in the Director's Room for which it was designed. The square is again the dominant motif in this group of designs. The table legs are square, but they are hollow, and square cut outs in them indicate the construction.' (Roger Billcliffe). This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).

Designed for the Blue or Chinese Room at the Ingram Street Tea Rooms, Glasgow. The fretted back and side rails match the Chinese style motifs of the Blue Room (as called in the job books). Much of the woodwork in the Chinese Room was painted bright blue or red, but there is no trace of any finish having been applied to these chairs other than the ebonising which most of them still display. These chairs have always been associated with the Chinese Room and so must be identified with the entry for thirty-six in the job books (Roger Billcliffe). All the chairs rwere eupholstered in blue horsehair in 1985. The Ingram Street Tea Rooms were purchased by Glasgow Corporation in 1951 for £25,000 and were then rented out as various shops and warehouses.
This item was assessed for conversation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access project (2006-2010), and then again in 2018 following the fire in the Mackintosh Building in June 2018.

Designed for the Director's Room, Glasgow School of Art. Twelve chairs were made in 1904 for the GSA, but William Davidson acquired a further two, with six of MC/F/58 for use as dining chairs in the hall at Windyhill. Twelve chairs reupholstered in brown horsehair 1984. One chair on loan from Glasgow University, returned 1984. This item was assessed for conversation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access project (2006-2010), and then again in 2018 following the fire in the Mackintosh Building in June 2018.

One of a series of electric slave clocks located through the Glasgow School of Art and run from a central 'master' clock. Installed in the new Mackintosh Furniture Gallery following restoration in 2013. This item was assessed for conversation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access project (2006-2010), and then again in 2018 following the fire in the Mackintosh Building in June 2018.

Designed for the 'Rose Boudoir', International Exhibition of Modern Decorative Art, Turin, 1902. This item was assessed for conversation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access project (2006-2010), and then again in 2018 following the fire in the Mackintosh Building in June 2018.

A Rose Boudoir included two gesso panels - composite works of plaster with pigment, set with glass beads - made exclusively by Macdonald. On the manifest for the exhibition, Mackintosh indicated that ‘duplicates only’ were available for sale. Two other versions, both in Glasgow, had the same design but with different palette and surface detail: The White Rose and the Red Rose hung above the mantle in the Mackintoshes’ own home, and can now be seen in the Mackintosh House at the Hunterian Art Gallery; and The Heart of the Rose belonged to Wylie Hill, a relative of Jessie Newbery, and was later given to the Glasgow School of Art. Previously it was assumed that these versions were created from a cartoon or template, each hand made, but it was difficult to tell which set came first, or even if they were made simultaneously. But recent analysis by Graciela Ainsworth Conservation Studio in Edinburgh has shown that the GSA version is not a gesso panel as we have come to understand Macdonald’s technique, but rather a traditional plaster cast that has been painted. This may seem like a minor technical point, but when considered alongside Mackintosh’s note that duplicates could be ordered, it reminds us that he carefully curated this space to show both that he and Macdonald could be commissioned to do entire rooms but were also very happy to have individual pieces replicated and sold on their own merit (information supplied by Dr Robyne Erica Calvert, Cultural Historian, Mar 2022).

Designed for The Dug-Out, Willow Tea Rooms, Glasgow. Mackintosh's watercolour designs for the Dug-Out show a very similar settle (painted yellow) in the staircase vestibule and presumably this is where the piece was originally placed. It is a smaller variant of the Derngate hall settle. Whilst the property of the Grosvenor Restaurant, it was probably painted black, but when it was returned from exhibition in Helsinki (early in 1983) damage to the surface revealed yellow paint-work underneath. When the black paint was stripped it was clear that the entire settle had been painted yellow, and on the lower surfaces the original paint-work was intact, allowing accurate colour matching for repainting. In the winter of 1983-84 the settle was repainted and reupholstered to match the original design. This item was assessed for conversation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010), and then again in 2018 following the fire in the Mackintosh Building in June 2018.

A rectangular table on plain square legs. This table was commissioned by William Davidson after he moved into 78 Southpark Avenue in 1919. Davidson purchased this house and some of its furniture from Mackintosh when the latter moved to London, however, Mackintosh had taken the dining table with him and so Davidson required a replacement. In later years the table was referred to as a breakfast table. Mackintosh also designed an extension table to accompany this item, see MC/F/109.
This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).

A small rectangular table on plain square legs designed as an extension to dining table MC/F/108. This table was commissioned by William Davidson after he moved into 78 Southpark Avenue in 1919. Davidson purchased this house and some of its furniture from Mackintosh when the latter moved to London. In later years the table was referred to as a side table. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).

Designed as the order desk, at the Willow Tea Rooms, Glasgow. 'One of the most impressive and novel of Mackintosh's chairs, it stood in the centre of the ground floor saloons, isolated and defining the point at which the white Front Saloon became the dark Back Saloon. Designed six months before the curved screen at Hous'hill, it plays the same role in acting as a transparent division between two spaces which are actually part of the same room... The front of the seat also serves as a small locker or chest... The chest was provided for the supervisor who took orders from the waitresses and passed them to the kitchen by dropping coloured balls, coded to each dish on the menu, down a tube to the kitchen below.' (Roger Billcliffe). Reupholstered in brown horsehair 1984 (the settle was originally upholstered in a green and gold striped horsehair, matching the Willow armchairs).
This item was assessed for conversation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access project (2006-2010), and then again in 2018 following the fire in the Mackintosh Building in June 2018.

Designed for the Willow Tea Rooms, Glasgow. These chairs were 'the most successful solution of Mackintosh's attempts to use traditional, vernacular designs' (Roger Billcliffe). However they evidently proved too fragile in use, for all the surviving examples have had an additional cross piece fixed to the top of the uprights (apparently at an early date) to support them. This chair was used in conjunction with the low boxy chair as the main seating unit in the Willow Tea Rooms. This item was assessed for conversation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access project (2006-2010), and then again in 2018 following the fire in the Mackintosh Building in June 2018.

Designed for the White Dining Room, Ingram Street Tea Rooms, Glasgow. A taller and more elegant version of MC/F/24, it shows the extravagant height to which Mackintosh was prepared to extend the backs of his chairs to achieve a variety of verticals within a room. The higher back makes it less rigid, and the two back splats were not originally attached to the seat rail (nor were these in MC/F/20 but at some time the chairs were strengthened by screwing them to the rear seat-rails). It is not known exactly where these chairs were used, though a contemporary photograph (Billcliffe 1900.J) shows one example in the Billiards Room. One white painted version (Billcliffe 1900.11) was in Mackintosh's own collection by 1900 but it is not certain whether it precedes the tea room chairs or is contemporary with them. Roger Billcliffe. Reupholstered in brown horsehair 1984. The Ingram Street Tea Rooms were purchased by Glasgow Corporation in 1951 for £25,000 and were then rented out as various shops and warehouses.
This item was assessed for conversation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access project (2006-2010), and then again in 2018 following the fire in the Mackintosh Building in June 2018.

This collection includes works by a number of artists, designers and architects associated with Charles Rennie Mackintosh, including his wife Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh, his sister-in-law Frances Macdonald MacNair and his sister-in-law's husband Herbert MacNair. These works include textiles, designs, and four volumes of a Glasgow School of Art student publication called The Magazine, as well as several individual watercolours now separated from the publication. The collection also includes a number of models for proposed architectural schemes by Mackintosh.

Includes:

• graphic designs
• watercolours
• architectural drawings
• sketches.

Photographic portraits of Mackintosh and associated individuals.

Includes:

• chairs
• tables
• benches
• ettles
• periodical and writing desks
• smokers' cabinets
• beds
• mirrors
• washstands
• bookcases
• cabinets
• linen presses
• dressers
• fenders
• hat, coat and umbrella stands
• a baptismal font, letter racks
• light-fittings
• clocks.

This item was lost in the fire in The Mackintosh Building at The Glasgow School of Art on 23rd May 2014. One of a series of electric slave clocks located through the Glasgow School of Art and run from a central 'master' clock. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010). Installed into the Mackintosh Library following restoration in 2013.

One of a series of electric slave clocks located through the Glasgow School of Art and run from a central 'master' clock. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010). Installed into Studio 45 following restoration in 2013. Following the fire in the Mackintosh Building in May 2014 it was assessed and conserved in 2019.

One of a series of electric slave clocks located through the Glasgow School of Art and run from a central 'master' clock. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010). Installed into Studio 31 following restoration in 2013. Following the fire in the Mackintosh Building in May 2014 it was assessed and conserved in 2019.

This item was damaged in the Mackintosh Building fire in May 2014. Conservation was completed in 2020. Designed for the Ingram Street Tea Rooms, Glasgow. The Ingram Street Tea Rooms were purchased by Glasgow Corporation in 1951 for £25,000 and were then rented out as various shops and warehouses.

Designed for 120 Main Street, Glasgow. An armchair version of F14 possibly one of a pair made for Mackintosh's Mains Street flat. In the 1899 Art & Craft exhibition Mackintosh showed an armchair with 'lacquer panel by Miss Margaret Mackintosh'. The only chair which fits this description is the one in Copenhagen which was bought by Koloman Moser at the Vienna Secession exhibition in 1900. The GSA chair is identical but lacking the lacquer plaque. It was possibly made later c1901 as a replacement for that bought by Moser. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).

Designed for the schoolroom at Windyhill, Kilmacolm. A smaller, but otherwise identical version of the hall bench MC/F/30. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).

Designed for the Director's Room, Glasgow School of Art. One chair reupholstered in blue/black horsehair 1970s, One chair reupholstered in brown horsehair 1984 and repaired. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).

Designed for original board room at Glasgow School of Art. The chairs were designed for the original Board Room in the East wing (now the Mackintosh Room). The Governors never used this room for meetings and it was initially used as a studio while space was short in the half-finished building. When the new Board Room was built in the second phase of the building, Mackintosh designed a more elaborate version of this chair for it, MC/F/61. Six chairs reupholstered in brown horsehair 1985, very similar to the original fabric found on one of the chairs. Two remaining chairs reupholstered in 1986. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).

Designed for entrance hall, Glasgow School of Art.
This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).

Trade cabinet designed to hold various wood samples. Made for William Douglas, a decorator and friend of Mackintosh who worked on several of his commissions, especially Hous'hill. Reputedly designed by Mackintosh but some of the detailing suggests he did not closely supervise the execution. Each drawer holds samples of different woods, stains, paints and finishes. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).

This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010). Designed for The Dug-Out, Willow Tea Rooms, Glasgow. One of a set of tea tables for the Dug Out. Such a table can be seen in Mackintosh's design for the Rest Room.

This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).
Designed for the (new) Board Room, Glasgow School of Art. A more elaborate version of the chairs designed for the original Board Room in 1899 (MC/F/18).

Designed for the principal bedroom at Windyhill, Kilmacolm.
This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).

This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).
Designed for Gladsmuir, Kilmacolm. Two tables and two benches were made for the schoolroom at Gladsmuir, probably at the same time as the bookcase. The thistle motif pierced in the sides of the legs of the benches is repeated in the leaded glass of the bookcase.

One of a set of four panels shown at the Exhibition of Modern Decorative Art in Turin in 1902.

One of a set of four panels shown at the Exhibition of Modern Decorative Art in Turin in 1902.

One of a set of four panels shown at the Exhibition of Modern Decorative Art in Turin in 1902.