Frampton's best known local example is the  statue of Peter Pan, A copy of the statue is located  in Sefton Park, Liverpool This was unveiled in 1929. They worked together on several commissions for both ecclesiastical and secular building, although the triptych at St Clare's is regarded as one of the most outstanding.

The middle angel panel is jointly signed - R.A.Bell 1890 Geo Frampton -. The exact division of labour is now uncertain though the panel of two angels holding censers with a shield bearing the sacred monogram under the Trinity is by Robert Anning Bell. 

In an article in the Art Journal of 1897 George Frampton is described as an all round craftsman and prefers to be known as an art worker, and not by the more restricted title of sculptor. Frampton always emphasised the importance of being able to work in many media. George Frampton 1860-1928. His  style  was formed by the innovations of Gilbert, the mystical paintings of Edward Burne Jones, Italian Renaissance sculpture and contemporary French sculpture. At the time of his first work on Merseyside at the age of 29, the altarpiece for St Clares Church he is still absorbing these influences. 

Bell belonged to the group of artist–craftsmen who brought about the last flowering of the Pre-Raphaelite movement. He painted in oil and watercolour and was among the pioneers of the revival of the use of tempera. During the 1890s he was deeply involved in the Arts and Crafts, being well known as an illustrator and, together with Frampton, developing a line in plaster reliefs, hand-coloured in imitation of Della Robbia plaques. He worked as an illustrator and also undertook projects in stained glass and mosaic, a medium he used to great effect in three public commissions in London   : the Horniman  Museum         (a mosaic - Humanity in the House of Circumstance) Westminster Cathedral and St Stephen’s Hall. Note another local example of his work : stained glass windows in Grenfell's chapel at Mostyn House School, Parkgate.

The two men had many ideals in common. Both were members of the Arts and Crafts Society and both were to be masters of the Art Workers Guild. 

Liverpool is fortunate in having an outstanding example of their joint work in the altarpiece at the church of St Clare in Arundel Avenue, where Frampton may also have carved the St Clare and St Francis statues for the south and west porches.

George Frampton and his work: images

Click on any of the pictures in panel below for larger images

1.George Frampton

2.The Peter Pan statue

For a description of the conservation of the peter pan statue link to National Museums Liverpool web site-click here 

3. Mother and Child

4. Mysteriarch Angel, 

1. Robert Anning Bell

2. Nebuchadnezzar window, Mostyn School, Parkgate

3.Mosaic at the Horniman Museum, London

4.Fragrant Posy

 Back to top