Bankart, George Percy 1866 - 1929

George Percy Bankart [commonly known as George P. Bankart] was born in Leicester, England on 20 January 1866. He was articled to Isaac Barradale (1845-1892) in Leicester 1883 and attended both Leicester School of Art and the Technical College in Leicester.  During this period he met Ernest Gimson (1864-1919) with whom he struck up a lifelong friendship. It was at Bankart's father's house that Gimson was first introduced to William Morris.

After leaving Barradale, Bankart worked for various architects in London and elsewhere, however, despite his training as an architect, he chose not to pursue a career is this field but, instead turned to the applied arts. From the 1890s onwards Bankart became one of the most renowned exponents of the craft of decorative plasterwork. Some forty examples of his work as a plasterer are illustrated in 'The Studio Yearbook of Decorative Art' between 1906 and 1917.  

He created ceiling decorations, friezes, and moulded wall features for numerous public buildings and private residences including the gallery at 'Wych Cross', Forest Row; Dumbleton Hall, in Gloucestershire; Rake Manor, near Godalming in Surrey; Thorpe Underwood Hall in Yorkshire; 'The Towers' in Bristol; 'Purse Caundle' in Dorset; the Council Offices, in Lewes, Sussex; 'Beechholme' in Morningside, Edinburgh; Stockport Municipal Buildings; the British Medical Association Library, Council Chamber and ante-room in London; the Liberal Club in Glasgow; 'The Vane' in Hampstead, London; 'Somerlea' in Maidenhead; Harptury House in Ashleworth, Gloucestershire; Glynde School of Lady Gardeners at Glynde in Sussex; Upton Grey, near Basingstoke, Hampshire; and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

Bankart was commissioned by many of the leading architects of the day including E. Guy Dawber, H.M. Baillie Scott, E.J. May, etc.  

In addition to his work as a plasterer, several examples of his ornamental leadwork are illustrated in 'The Studio Yearbook of Decorative Art', including rainwater heads and fountains.

Bankart was the author of 'Art of the Plasterer: an Account of the Decorative Development of the Craft' (London: Batsford, 1909). He was also co-author, with his son, G. Edward Bankart, of 'Modern Plasterwork Construction, Casting and Fixing' London: Architectural Press, 1926) and 'Modern Plasterwork Design' (London: Architectural Press, 1927).  

He briefly taught plasterwork at Leicester School of Art from 1897 to 1899). He was also in charge of plasterwork at the Bromsgrove Guild of Handicraft in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, a post he held until c.1907 when he moved to London and established a workshop on the Gray's Inn Road.

Bankart was elected a member of the Art Workers Guild in 1900. He exhibited at the Royal Academy in London between 1907 and 1919.   Bankart's address is given as 37 Old Deer Park Gardens in Richmond, Surrey in 1919. He died in Welwyn Garden City, England, in 1929.