Edward Carter Preston Domestic Geometry Cubist Painting C1925 Framed

Edward Carter Preston (1886–1965)
Domestic Geometry: Jug, Pot and Bottle — A Cubist Still Life
Subject & Medium
Medium: Watercolour on paper
In Domestic Geometry: Jug, Pot and Bottle — A Cubist Still Life, Edward Carter Preston reimagines the quiet poetry of everyday objects through the disciplined lens of Cubist design.
A jug, pot, spoon, and bottle — the most familiar of household forms — become part of a measured dialogue between light, line, and space.
Preston’s sculptural sensibility informs the composition: each form is defined with precision yet softened by the translucency of watercolour. His technique balances architectural structure with emotional restraint, allowing the ordinary to feel quietly profound.
This is not simply a study of objects, but a meditation on proportion, calm, and design. Preston elevates the domestic still life into an art of order, grace, and enduring intelligence.
Composition & Technique
Preston composes with both geometric discipline and lyrical control.
The objects unfold through overlapping ellipses, cylinders, and angular planes — their boundaries merging in gentle tension.
The jug and pot provide visual weight
The bottle anchors the vertical rhythm
The spoon bridges foreground and form
His brushwork is both technical and expressive:
Layered transparent washes create the illusion of volume and atmosphere
Fine linear outlines define structure while maintaining softness
Subtle tonal transitions replace heavy shadow, evoking natural light
Colour Palette:
Refined and harmonious — ochres and sand tones suggest earthenware warmth; celadon and pale teal lend freshness; soft greys and muted blues bring composure and spatial depth.
These tonal harmonies convey the measured serenity of modernism while retaining a distinctly human warmth. Preston’s geometry becomes a vessel for emotion — a visual hymn to simplicity, structure, and peace.
About the Artist
Edward Carter Preston (1886–1965) was among Britain’s most versatile and accomplished artists. Born in Liverpool and trained at the Liverpool School of Art, he achieved distinction as a sculptor, painter, and medallist.
He is best known as the designer of the First World War memorial plaques (the “Dead Man’s Penny”) and for his monumental carvings and reliefs at Liverpool Cathedral, commissioned by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott.
Though primarily recognised for his sculpture, Preston’s paintings reveal a lifelong fascination with proportion, rhythm, and harmony. His 1920s watercolours, such as this, reveal a more introspective sensibility — balancing analytical design with emotional subtlety.
Signature
Initialled E.Cr.P. lower left — a discreet and deliberate mark, characteristic of Preston’s measured compositional style.
Framing
Frame Dimensions: 80.5 cm (W) × 66.5 cm (H) × 5 cm (D)
Presented in a Larson-Juhl distressed-finish rustic frame, selected to complement the painting’s warm tonal palette and geometric composition.
The frame features an applied aged surface with deliberate chipped and crackled detailing, enhancing its antique aesthetic and reinforcing the painting’s timeless modernist character.
Fitted with AR70 museum-quality anti-reflective glass, providing:
99% UV protection
Brilliant clarity with minimal glare
Museum-grade preservation for longevity
The frame’s weathered finish harmonises beautifully with the artwork’s balance of structure, depth, and quiet humanity.
Provenance
From a relative of the artist
Direct family provenance — never previously offered for sale
Label verso from a notable North West auction house, confirming professional handling and documentation
Curated and catalogued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd
Exhibited at the Famous Lord Hill Museum among British modernist and interwar works
This impeccable provenance provides art-historical credibility and collector assurance, affirming the work’s authenticity and exhibition pedigree.
Why You’ll Love It
Domestic Geometry embodies harmony, intellect, and serenity — a painting as measured as it is moving.
You’ll appreciate its:
Refined geometry softened by luminous colour
Modernist balance expressed with human warmth
Rare direct provenance from the artist’s family
Elegant museum-level framing and conservation
Quiet emotion and timeless sophistication
A masterpiece of stillness — the poetry of proportion made visible.
Condition
Good overall condition.
Clean, stable pigments with full chromatic integrity.
The paper shows slight natural ageing with mild discolouration — consistent with careful preservation and light exposure over time.
Professionally mounted and conservation-framed with acid-free materials and AR70 glass.
Ready for immediate display.
Worldwide Shipping
Professionally packaged and fully insured for secure global delivery.
Click Buy It Now to make it yours before it’s gone.
Add this remarkable Cubist watercolour by Edward Carter Preston to your collection today.
Explore more hand-picked treasures in our eBay gallery: Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd.
Enquiries welcome — we are always pleased to assist.