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Mackintosh Art, Design and Architecture Collection
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Mackintosh Art, Design and Architecture Collection

  • MC
  • Collection
  • c1891-2018

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.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Associated Works

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.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

The Tree of Personal Effort

From The Magazine, Spring 1896. Inscribed: The Tree of Personal Effort, The Sun of Indifference, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, January 1895.' The exact meaning of the symbolism of this work, and its companion, 'The Tree of Influence' has eluded all commentators on Mackintosh's early water-colours. The obvious source of the symbolism is nature, and Mackintosh here reaches his most extreme distortion of organic forms.' (Roger Billcliffe).

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Linen Cupboard for John Henderson

Designed for John Henderson.'One of the earliest surviving pieces with repousse panels, here designed by Mackintosh. Although probably made by cabinet makers such as Guthrie & Wells, it has none of the more traditional mouldings that appear on the commercial bedroom units, probably because Mackintosh was designing directly for a client. The pendant leaf motif at the base was slowly transformed in later pieces, into a characteristic dip in the lower stretcher or apron based upon a favorite Mackintosh motif, the swooping bird.' (Roger Billcliffe). 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.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Letter rack for Glasgow School of Art

This item was lost in the fire in The Mackintosh Building at The Glasgow School of Art on 23rd May 2014. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).
Designed for the Board Room at Glasgow School of Art.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Dining table for 78 Southpark Avenue

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).

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Wall clock for Glasgow School of Art

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.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Wall clock for Glasgow School of Art

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.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Sample cabinet for William Douglas

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).

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Chest of drawers for Glasgow School of Art

This item was lost in the fire in The Mackintosh Building at The Glasgow School of Art on 23rd May 2014. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).
Designed for the Glasgow School of Art. 'A very simple piece which seems to have been designed specifically for the GSA. A certain amount of furniture was made in 1904 for the Director... but Mackintosh did further work for the GSA in 1906 and 1907-09 so this piece could date from as late as 1909.' (Roger Billcliffe).

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Square table for The Dug-Out, Willow Tea Rooms

This item was lost in the fire in The Mackintosh Building at The Glasgow School of Art on 23rd May 2014. 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. Cube and bobbin legs are a traditional motif not used by Mackintosh before this date. Several of the pieces made for the Dug-Out, however, incorporate such traditional features, e.g. the round table with bobbin legs and the stepped ladder-backs of the chairs (Roger Billcliffe). Repaired, and badly scratched top resurfaced in 1985.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Armchair for The Dug-Out, Willow Tea Rooms

This item was lost in the fire in The Mackintosh Building at The Glasgow School of Art on 23rd May 2014. 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. Mackintosh designed similar ladder-back chairs for the guest bedroom for Bassett-Lowke at 78 Derngate in Northampton. All chairs reupholstered 1985. Three repaired 1984-85.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Armchair for The Dug-Out, Willow Tea Rooms

This item was lost in the fire in The Mackintosh Building at The Glasgow School of Art on 23rd May 2014. 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. Mackintosh designed similar ladder-back chairs for the guest bedroom for Bassett-Lowke at 78 Derngate in Northampton. All chairs reupholstered 1985. Three repaired 1984-85.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Barrel chair for Ingram Street Tea Rooms

Designed for the Ingram Street Tea Rooms, Glasgow. 'One of the sturdiest and most successful small chairs designed by Mackintosh. The chair was used in the Chinese Room in the late 1940s but there is no record of it being specifically designed for it.' (Roger Billcliffe). The two chairs in the Museum of Modern Art collection (NY) originally belonged to GSA and were donated in 1958 by then director, Douglas Percy Bliss. 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.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Armchair for The Dug-Out, Willow Tea Rooms

This item was lost in the fire in The Mackintosh Building at The Glasgow School of Art on 23rd May 2014. 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. Mackintosh designed similar ladder-back chairs for the guest bedroom for Bassett-Lowke at 78 Derngate in Northampton. All chairs reupholstered 1985. Three repaired 1984-85.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Schoolroom bench for Gladsmuir

This item was lost in the fire in The Mackintosh Building at The Glasgow School of Art on 23rd May 2014. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).
Design for Gladsmuir, Kilmacolm. Designed to match the schoolroom tables and bookcase, the thistle motif pierced in the legs being repeated in the leaded glass of the bookcase.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Schoolroom bench for Gladsmuir

This item was lost in the fire in The Mackintosh Building at The Glasgow School of Art on 23rd May 2014. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).
Designed for Gladsmuir, Kilmacolm. Designed to match the schoolroom tables and bookcase, the thistle motif pierced in the legs being repeated in the leaded glass of the bookcase.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Museum table for Glasgow School of Art

This item was lost in the fire in The Mackintosh Building at The Glasgow School of Art on 23rd May 2014. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).
Designed for either the Museum or Library at the Glasgow School of Art.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Large armchair for the Dug-Out, Willow Tea Rooms

Designed for the Dug-Out, Willow Tea Rooms. Very similar to MC/F87, but in a larger scale with flat instead of turned arms. Re-upholstered in blue horsehair 1985. 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.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Smoker's cabinet for Mains Street

Designed for 120 Mains Street, Glasgow. An exact replica of the cabinet made in 1899 and sold at the Vienna Secession exhibition in 1900, made to replace this for the Mackintoshs' own use. 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.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Armchair for The Dug-Out, Willow Tea Rooms

This item was lost in the fire in The Mackintosh Building at The Glasgow School of Art on 23rd May 2014. 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. Mackintosh designed similar ladder-back chairs for the guest bedroom for Bassett-Lowke at 78 Derngate in Northampton. All chairs reupholstered 1985. Three repaired 1984-85.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Armchair for The Dug-Out, Willow Tea Rooms

This item was lost in the fire in The Mackintosh Building at The Glasgow School of Art on 23rd May 2014. 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. Mackintosh designed similar ladder-back chairs for the guest bedroom for Bassett-Lowke at 78 Derngate in Northampton. All chairs reupholstered 1985. Three repaired 1984-85.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

White Roses

The wavy pattern in the background is very similar to some of the most abstract designs for textiles for which Mackintosh was producing at this time.' (Roger Billcliffe).

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Armchair for The Dug-Out, Willow Tea Rooms

This item was lost in the fire in The Mackintosh Building at The Glasgow School of Art on 23rd May 2014. 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. Mackintosh designed similar ladder-back chairs for the guest bedroom for Bassett-Lowke at 78 Derngate in Northampton. All chairs reupholstered 1985. Three repaired 1984-85.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Museum table for Glasgow School of Art

This item was lost in the fire in The Mackintosh Building at The Glasgow School of Art on 23rd May 2014. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).
Designed for either the Museum or Library at the Glasgow School of Art.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Wall clock for Glasgow School of Art

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 Museum following restoration in 2013. Following the fire in the Mackintosh Building in May 2014 it was assessed and conserved in 2019.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Mirror for Windyhill

Designed for the principal bedroom at Windyhill, Kilmacolm. A much simpler design than the cheval mirror used at 120 Mains Street. 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.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Bed for Regent Park Square

This item was lost in the fire in The Mackintosh Building at The Glasgow School of Art on 23rd of May 2014. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).
Designed for Mackintosh's bedroom at 27 Regent Park Square, Glasgow, probably to match the chest of drawers.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Ladder-back chair for Windyhill

This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).
Designed for Windyhill, Kilmacolm. A letter from Mackintosh to Davidson states that two of these chairs were intended for the main bedroom, but Annan photographs of the time show one in the bedroom and one in the drawing room at Windyhill.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Armchair for Glasgow School of Art

This item was lost in the fire in The Mackintosh Building at The Glasgow School of Art on 23rd May 2014.

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).

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Armchair for Glasgow School of Art

This item was lost in the fire in The Mackintosh Building at The Glasgow School of Art on 23rd May 2014.

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).

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

High-back chair for Mains Street

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).

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Armchair for Glasgow School of Art

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).

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

Baptismal font for Abbey Close Church

This item was lost in the fire in The Mackintosh Building at The Glasgow School of Art on 23rd May 2014. This item was assessed for conservation in 2010 as part of the Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project (2006-2010).
Designed for Abbey Close Church, Paisley. Mackintosh also designed the pulpit, pulpit screen and lights for this church, but the church has been demolished and all the other fittings destroyed. In the job books of Honeyman and Keppie, under Abbey Close: Oct.24 1905, James Dyce & Son, new font, £4.7.6. March 26 1906, Andrew Hutchinson, silver basin, £2.0.0.

Mackintosh, Charles Rennie

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