Shapland and Petter Attributed – Arts and Crafts Oak Letter Rack

Wall mounted letter rack in oak, aligned to the Arts and Crafts movement (1880–1910), c.1900, from the Barnstaple, Devon workshops of Shapland and Petter. The shallow rectangular body rises to a shaped arched gallery, the front organised as a grid of narrow horizontal slats forming a series of compartments for envelopes, notes and small papers. The plain, flush front and gently rounded lower rail emphasise the figure of the oak while keeping applied ornament to a minimum, in keeping with Shapland and Petter’s practical Arts and Crafts wall furniture of the period. Suited to a hallway, study or kitchen where compact wall mounted storage is required and the writing table or desk surface needs to remain uncluttered.