Isobel Moncrieff (1875 – 28 September 1961) was an artistic designer[1][2] of Monart Art Glassware between 1924-1934. Due to the era she was never officially made a director. While the Ysart family[3] had the technical know-how to create the glassware within the Monart Glassworks, it was Moncrieff's designs which were the basis for their world-renowned coloured glass pieces. Queen Mary was an admirer of the glassware[4][5][6][7] and 33 glassware pieces were designed and commissioned by her to be presented as Perth's gift[8][3] to the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on their wedding. These pieces can be found in the audits of Balmoral Castle with only 32 pieces left.
Lady Marianne Isobel Moncrieff | |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 December 1875 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Died | 28 September 1961 Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Occupation | Monart Glassware Designer |
| Spouse | John Moncrieff married 19 April 1904 |
Early years
editMoncrieff was born Marianne Isobel Dunlop on 21 December 1874, the youngest of seven, at 20 Lynedoch Street, Glasgow. The name "Marianne" was chosen as the closest baptismal name to that of her aunt 'Mary Anne'. She preferred to be addressed as Isobel according to her nephew Dr James Percival Agnew L.L.D in his reminiscences of his aunt in Michael Thomas Vaughan's short bibliography "Scottish Art Glass, Women and Design".[9]
She had one sister and five brothers. Her father Matthew Dunlop was a flour and grain importer. Her mother Margaret Waters Ure had a brother, John Ure, L.L.D., who was the Lord Provost of Glasgow (1880–1883), deputy lieutenant of Lanarkshire (1882), Deacon of the Incorporate of Bakers (1854 & 1857), Dean of Guild, an ancient city office (1890–91). He declined a knighthood for personal reasons.[9]
One brother, Nathanial Harvey Dunlop, married in London to Kate Louise Christie, who had been the childhood playmate of Queen Mary.[9]
Isobel was educated in Glasgow at the Dames school. Moncrieff considered herself a young lady.[9]
Career
editAlthough not registered as a Directory Designer of Monart Glass, Moncrieff's artistic nature was well fitted to take a principal part in the production and arrangement of the Monart glassware which her husbands business produced.[3][10]
Moncrieff designed shapes in her mind and then had these drawn out at the works, and brought refinement to the product. The Ysart family produced the glass designed by Moncrieff.[3][11]
Exhibiting at the British Industries Fair with special one-off pieces. Queen Mary never failed to visit. Presented with two bowls, one outspreading and one inverted.[9]
On the occasion of the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, it was 33 pieces of Monart Glass, designed by Isobel and well as table linen which was sent to them as Perth, Scotland's gift.[3] A letter to the then Provost from Princess Elizabeth was received.[12]
The pieces produced were supplied to Watsons of Perth on a sale or return basis.[3][9]
After Moncrieff left the Monart Works the colours became garish, and lost some of their refinement.[9]
Personal life
editShe honeymooned in America and visited such places as the Carnegie Steel works at Detroit and the White House, meeting President Theodore Roosevelt on a guided tour.[10]
Returning early from honeymoon due to her father's failing health, she and her husband set up home in Perth and took part in the social and civic life.[9]
Isobel and John lived in SummerBank,[13] Isla Road, Perth, Scotland
Moncrieff mixed with the likes of the Duchess of Atholl.[9]
Involved in Perth Music Festival and Perth Theatre, she invited the cast to their house and hosted tennis parties and soirees.[9]
Moncrieff had miscarriages and she and her husband had no living children to inherit the estate, which was therefore left to their nephews.[9]
Moncrieff had a vivacious and charming personality, a great love of the theatre and musical life in Perth, and was closely involved in setting up Perth Music Festival. Her witty and charming nature made was appreciated by her friends.[9]
Death
editIsobel Moncrieff died on 28 September 1961, aged 85, in an Edinburgh hospital after operations for throat cancer.[14]
Highlighting Isobel's contribution
editDuring a "Raise the Roof", (Visit Scotland Media Toolkit)[15] a Visit Scotland Year of Stories, event in Perth, Scotland, conducted a project to create artistic wire women of notable Perth Women, including Isobel. The Wire Women project took place as part of Perth and Kinross’ Year of Stories' with community groups, creatives and cultural organisations sharing the stories of women.[16][17]
Sparks, Kinross did the research on Isobel and created their own glass window to commemorate the occasion.[18][19] Isobel was No 13 of 20 wire sculptures which were set out in a trail around Perth City Centre.[17] The Isobel sculpture was situated outside 2 High Street, Perth, Scotland.
References
edit- ^ Worden, s; Seddon, J (1995). "Women Designers in Britain in the 1920s and 1930s: Defining the Professional and Redefining Design". Journal of Design History. 8 (3): 177–193. JSTOR 1316031 – via JSTOR.
- ^ https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/perth-kinross/852102/collection-of-perth-glass-masterpieces-worth-thousands-of-pounds-to-go-under-the-hammer/
- ^ a b c d e f Andrews, F. E. Ysart Glass. pp. 12, 13, 15, 16, 23, 34, 41. ISBN 0-9514465-1-7.
- ^ "The Perthshire Advertiser, etc. 09-03-1935 Pg 18 Monart purchased by Royalty and from abroad at BIF". The Perthshire Advertiser. 1935-03-09. p. 18. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
- ^ "The Perthshire Advertiser, etc. 04-04-1934 Page 6 Royal admirers of Monart + picture". The Perthshire Advertiser. 1934-04-04. p. 6. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
- ^ "The Perthshire Advertiser, etc. 04-03-1933, Page 9 - Royal Patronage". The Perthshire Advertiser. 1933-03-04. p. 9. Retrieved 2023-10-11. Perth, Tayside, Scotland • Sat, Mar 4, 1933 Page 9 [1]
- ^ "The Perthshire Advertiser, Scotland ·27-02-1932 - Princess Mary purchases Monart". The Perthshire Advertiser. 1932-02-27. p. 9. Retrieved 2023-10-11. Perth, Tayside, Scotland • Sat, Feb 27, 1932 Page 9 [2]
- ^ https://www.ysartglass.com/Ysart/Wedding.htm
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Vaughan, Michael Thomas. Scottish Art Glass : Women and Design : Marianne Isobel Moncrieff of Monart Fame (21st December, 1874 - 28th September, 1961) : Some Biographical Details. Larkhall: Author], 1990. Print.
- ^ a b "Marianne Isobel Moncrieff of Monart Glass fame". L748.294132 [L.B.MON]. 1990.
- ^ "John Moncrieff History". www.scotlandsglass.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
- ^ "The Perthshire Advertiser, Scotland 20-12-1947 Princess Elizabeth letter to Provost re wedding gift". The Perthshire Advertiser. 1947-12-20. p. 7. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
- ^ "Perth, Isla Road, Summerbank". Canmore - National Record of the Historic Environment. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
- ^ "Death of Mrs Moncrieff, Summerbank". Perthshire Advertiser. 30 September 1961. p. 1.
- ^ VisitScotland. "Visit Scotland Media Toolkit". toolkit.visitscotland.org. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
- ^ Emma (2022-08-20). "Raise the roof Perth Sculpture Trail • Foodie Explorers". Foodie Explorers. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
- ^ a b Ballantyne, Hannah (2022-05-26). "First look at life-size wire statues honouring Perth's inspirational women from Eve Muirhead to burned witches". The Courier. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
- ^ Sparks, Kinross (2 June 2022). ""The SPARKS group was created with the aim of integrating and offering leisure activities for adults with a disability living in Kinross-shire."". Sparks, Kinross Facebook page. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ^ "Kinross Museum Official Website". www.kinrossmuseum.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-10-12.