The Art Furnishers' Alliance Co., 1881-3

The Art Furnishers' Alliance, at 157 New Bond Street, sold metalwork, ceramics, glass, fabrics and other goods. Most were designed by Dresser himself, or executed under his supervision.

Many years later Charles Holme wrote in The Studio (vol. XV, 1899): 'Attendants robed in many aesthetic costumes of the period, in demure art colours, added a certain air to the place, which set it absolutely apart from a shop. So far as memory may be trusted the average work there was very good, and that the enterprise did not continue is perhaps partly owing to the fact that it was before its time. For it was alone in its mission in addressing a popular audience. It is true that Morris & Co were known to a few, and that one or two manufacturers of beautiful things for the house could be found by searching, but no window in a popular thoroughfare was supporting the movement destined to assume such large proportions later. Liberty's at that time was almost entirely a Japanese warehouse.'

In 1882 Dresser announced that in future he would work as an architect and ornamentist. His decision was prompted by the disastrous failure of the Art Furnishers' Alliance. The Alliance share capital had been grossly under–subscribed and the business went into liquidation in 1883 with a daunting list of creditors. The stock was auctioned. Dresser was forced to retrench and moved to the London suburb of Sutton.