Butterfly Flower Bookmark

A columbine, sweet peas and scarlet blooms, drawn with a fine pencil line and washed in delicate watercolour — and at the foot of the sheet, in Mackintosh's own hand: BUTTERFLY FLOWER, BOWLING 1912, C.R.M. — M.M.M.

Those initials are the heart of it. Charles Rennie Mackintosh signed his flower studies for himself and for Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh, his wife and creative partner, who was with him when he drew them. He made these on holidays — at Walberswick, at Bowling on the Clyde — always noting the plant, the place and the year, like a botanist keeping a record.

They show a quieter side of the man best known for the Glasgow School of Art, the Willow Tearooms and the whole Glasgow Style. No grand architectural statement here, just extraordinary looking: precise, patient and full of feeling.

At 48 × 162mm with a navy ribbon marker, it lies flat in any book. A beautiful small gift for an admirer of Mackintosh, a gardener, a botanical art lover, or anyone with a fondness for Glasgow.

Come and see the full Museums & Galleries range in the shop — there's always more on the shelves than we can fit online.

Key features

• Butterfly Flower flower study by Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868–1928), inscribed Bowling, 1912
• Pencil and watercolour botanical study, with the artist's original inscription
• Navy blue ribbon marker
• 48mm × 162mm
• Museums & Galleries, the British art-stationery publisher behind the V&A, Tate, Natural History Museum and British Museum ranges
• Flat enough to post inside a greetings card
• Perfect for Mackintosh and Glasgow Style admirers, gardeners, botanical art lovers and book club gifts

FAQ

• Who was Charles Rennie Mackintosh? A Scottish architect, designer and artist (1868–1928), the leading figure of the Glasgow Style and designer of the Glasgow School of Art. Alongside his architecture he made a remarkable body of botanical watercolours.
• What do the initials mean? C.R.M. is Mackintosh himself; M.M.M. is Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh, his wife and creative partner, who accompanied him when the study was made.
• What is "Bowling 1912"? The place and year the flower was drawn — Bowling, a village on the River Clyde.
• What colour is the ribbon? Navy blue.
• What size is the bookmark? 48mm wide by 162mm tall.