We carry out consultancy, research, analysis, conservation and repair of fine joinery, carving, sculpture, and decorative art, including gilded, varnished and polychromed surfaces. We work in our studios in Shropshire and Oxfordshire and on site at locations across the UK We also design and create new sculpture in wood, stone or bronze for historically sensitive locations

We reproduce, and repair stone ornament faithfully in its historical context. Ornament should never be completely symmetrical. This makes the ornament boring to the eye. It's more aesthetically pleasing to aim for balance, rather than symmetry.

The ornament to be repaired or reproduced, is first modelled in clay, or wax, (usually on site) then carved in a suitable stone to match the original material. Even small areas of ornament can be repaired using modern resin and stainless steel dowels, as long as there's sound stone to attach a repair. There's often very little left of ornament in rottenstone. So experience, and knowledge of art history is essential to reproduce any ornament.

Personally, I believe the survival of the craft, is as important as the ornament itself.

Ricardo studied Furniture Design and Ornamental Woodcarving at the “Escuela de Artes y Oficios Aplicados” (School of Arts And Crafts), in his home town of Toledo, Spain.

While working in England under the tutelage of renowned master carver Gino Masero, who later became a great friend and mentor, Ricardo decided to open his own workshop. He specialises in the production of one-off items of furniture, as well as architectural projects and heraldic work for the Royal College of Arms.

His work can be found at St George’s Chapel (Windsor Castle), Victoria Palace (London), St George’s Hall (Liverpool), as well as in private collections in London, New York, Athens and Moscow.

Now based in Cheshire, and leading a small team of specialist craftsmen and women, Ricardo Rodriguez is able to undertake projects in all aspects of the trade, for example: architectural carving (and joinery), furniture design and construction, upholstery, gilding, polishing and restoration work.

Carver - Chris Pye began woodcarving in 1975, originally studying under Master Woodcarver, Gino Masero. He is a member of the prestigious Master Carvers Association.

Most of Chris's work is commissioned. He has designed and carved across a very broad range of subjects and styles: from the traditional to the modern; from the photographically realistic to the utterly whimsical; from relief and ornamental carving to lettering and sculpture.
Writer

Magazines. Chris has over a hundred articles, including tool and book reviews for magazines like Woodcarving (UK) and Woodcarving Illustrated (USA).

Books. Chris's books - with some translated into German, French or Russian - include:

Woodcarving Tools, Materials, and Equipment (GMC Publications, 1995. Revised and Expanded, in two volumes, 2002)
Carving on Turning (GMC Publications, 1995)
Lettercarving in Wood (GMC Publications, 1997)
Relief Carving: A Practical Introduction (GMC Publications, 1998; Republished: Echo Point Books 2019)
Elements of Woodcarving (GMC Publications, 2000)
Woodcarving Projects and Techniques (GMC Publications, 2007)
Chris Pye's Woodcarving Course & Reference Manual (Fox Chapel Publishing, 2010)

Find out more about Chris's books here
Teacher

Classroom Instruction: Chris Pye has been teaching woodcarving to groups and individuals, from his home shop in England, for many years. He has also taught at West Dean College, near Chichester, UK.

Annually, from 1997 to 2011, Chris was been a faculty member at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport, Maine, USA, In 2010 he taught at Haystack Mountain School of Arts and Crafts, Deer Isle, Maine USA.

Web-based Instruction: In April 2011, Chris, with his wife and partner Carrie Camann, launched the online, video-rich, woodcarving instructional site: woodcarvingworkshops.tv

Find out more about Chris's teaching here

DVDs

Sharpening Techniques (American Craftsman Publications, 2007)
Essential Lettercarving Techniques (American Craftsman Publications, 2007)
Ornamental Carving (American Craftsman Publications, 2007)

Find out more about Chris's DVDs here
Toolmaker

Chris Pye has invented and re-designed many useful carving tools, of which several have been manufactured:

Flat # 2 ½ Gouges (with Ashley Iles Edge Tools Ltd)
Deep Undercutting Tools (with Ashley Iles Edge Tools Ltd)
Innovative Woodcarvers Slipstones (with Norton Abrasive Ltd)
In 2010 Chris was involved in re-designing Auriou woodcarving tools for their re-launch, which happened in Summer 2011.

York based stone carver Martin Coward has 30 years of experience in the industry, working alongside several teams of stone carvers in cathedrals across the country. With this wealth of experience came the desire to create of a business of his own. A love of old buildings, conservation, heritage and art allows Martin to work on stone carvings and replicate many original works allowing them to be redesigned and restored for future years. From large stone sculptures, marble restoration, casting and letter cutting, the work is always interesting and inspiring. Using traditional tools the craft of carving stone by hand is highly rewarding and the quality can be seen in the end result. Martin can work alongside a team or individually, producing work from small scale models to larger commissions.

I originate lettering by hand in a number of mediums; lettercarving in stone, slate and wood, brush lettering and traditional signwriting. Often I use the brush to set out inscriptional work, which ranges from formal Roman to my own casual 'Phil Sans'. All lettering is designed by brush or pencil to suit its purpose and place so creating a unique response to each commission.

In recent years Philip Surey Ltd has gained a growing reputation for architectural gilding projects


BACKGROUND - Graduating in 1996 from the City & Guilds of London Art School, Surey spent short spells assisting Richard Kindersley and Ralph Beyer before establishing a busy workshop in London.

In 2010 & 2011, he was represented by art dealers William Agnew & Co at Art Antiques London held in Kensington Gardens, and has had work shown and sold at the RA Summer Show.

Commercial clients include The National Trust, Tate Britain, Southwark Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Winchester Cathedral, Luke Hughes & Co, John Morgan Studio

W. Thomas Restorations was formed in the late 1920’s by William Thomas Oatway and became a limited company in 1958. Working almost exclusively for the thriving antiques trade the company became a leading authority on the restoration of carved wood and gilded furniture and ornaments.

In 1986 the company was taken over by Partridge Fine Arts, who were at the time the world’s foremost antique dealers. William (Bill) Thomas remained with the business as a consultant until his death in 1992.

This new period led to the company taking on a more varied client list and some large projects. Restoration and re-gilding at Althorp was followed by contracts to restore suites of giltwood furniture from the Mansion House, Alnwick Castle and Downing Street. The catastrophic fires at both Uppark House and Windsor Castle saw us restore and meticulously replace many lost decorations.

The work at Windsor was so successful that the Queen and the Queen Mother both made private visits to our workshops to see the restoration in progress. We continued to restore further rooms at Windsor undamaged by the fire and in 2003 were awarded the Royal Warrant from Her Majesty the Queen. We continue to carry out work for the Royal Collection.

Ray Dudman joined W. Thomas Restorations as an apprentice woodcarver in 1974. Ten years later he was appointed a director and after thirty six years with the company he became the new owner in 2010. Three of our team of craftsmen and women joined as apprentices at sixteen years of age and have served more than 30 years each with the company. In April 2016 with the help of funding from the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST), we have been able to take on our first apprentice woodcarver this century.

Although specialising in woodcarving and gilding the company has expanded its repertoire with the addition of a cabinet maker, polisher and paint specialist all working in-house and upholsterers and metal workers as sub-contractors. We are now able to take on almost every kind of restoration work and have the ability to assemble a highly skilled team to tackle most contracts.

Gilding and Woodcarving Restoration & Conservation Specialists:

- The company has been involved in many important restoration projects, including work at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace, Uppark, Mansion House, The Wallace Collection and with leading antique dealers in England and America.

- W Thomas Restorations Ltd also make reproductions to the same exacting standards as their 18th century counterparts and carry out commissions to copy or design giltwood mirrors and ornaments.

Master stone carver Simon Smith designs, models and carves marble and stone for many varied commissions. From his London studio he undertakes stone carving projects ranging from restoration carving of historic ornament and figurative carving to contemporary sculpture and memorials. He has been commissioned by Liverpool City Council, The Royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey and the National Trust among others, as well as many private individuals.

“I aim for my work to appear free and effortless, within a framework of craftsmanship and integrity.”

“I like to work with my clients, whether they be a committee on a large project or an individual with a deeply personal headstone, trying to understand what they hope for, and then try to express it in a sculptural form. If it’s a statue, I try to capture the humanity of the subject, giving the piece an expression and spirit. If the work is restoration carving, I conduct extensive research before trying to carve with the style and rhythms of the original.”

Simon Smith has worked with stone for more than thirty years. He served his apprenticeship as a stonemason at Woburn Abbey. Simon then went on to study Stone Carving and Sculpture at the City and Guilds of London Art School.

Please contact Simon to discuss any stone carving, sculpture, memorial, headstone, restoration project or anything other project you may be considering.

After finishing my degree at Leeds university in 1987 I decided to follow my Father into the woodcarving trade, something that I had loved and wanted to be involved with from an early age.
Other career options were open to me, but this was something I had to follow, in my blood if you like.

From my Father, Neil, now retired, I learned to be a very versatile carver, able to tackle any project. I was also given the opportunity to learn gilding from another master craftsman, Mike Vigor, now sadly no longer with us.

Over the last 20 years I have been working predominantly in the restoration of fine period giltwood furniture for the antique trade, mixed with often interesting ad-hoc projects from other sources.
I tackle all aspects of woodcarving, besides my particular specialism in top quality giltwood furniture restoration.

Francois Loudwig has been a professional woodcarver since 1983 after graduating in France. He honed his skills from working in several European countries before settling in England.

Francois specializes in fine art framing and has framed some of the worlds most famous painters. Among then Titian, Cannaletto, Botticelli, Raphael, Turner, Monet, Degas and Picasso.

His frames can be seen in galleries and museums throughout the world. Including the National Galleries of London, Washington USA and Melbourn Australia. The Getty Museum, Los Angeles, the Bridgestone museum, Tokyo, and the Liechtenstein museum, Vienna.

He also undertakes a wide variety of reproduction and restoration projects for the national Trust, antique dealers, interior designers, joiners and also creates period props for the film industry.

Agrell Architectural Carving, founded by Master Carver, Ian Agrell in 1978, is recognised as one of the foremost architectural carving companies in the world. We specialise in classical design and hand carving for private residences, commercial buildings and ecclesiastical structures.

When you work with us, there are no limitations to what we can create. We employ the same methods and tools used by the generations of wood carvers before us. Look closely and you’ll discover there is a delicacy and beauty that only carving by hand can reveal.

BEAUTY WITHIN BUDGET. DELIVERY WITHOUT DELAY.

At Agrell Architectural Carving, design is everything. Whether it’s a simple yet elegant hand-carved wood fireplace mantel or a series of complex renaissance panels, we proudly stand by our commitment to provide you with workmanship of outstanding quality. You can also be confident your project will be delivered on time and within your budget, regardless of volume, project size or location. The key is collaboration.

To ensure an open and continuous dialogue and complete confidentiality, Ian Agrell personally directs all projects from start to finish. The Agrell Architectural Carving team includes over 15 highly skilled wood carvers and three project managers. Which means, in addition to our large wood carving capacity, we also provide you with your own project manager who, alongside Ian, ensures that all details are managed to your complete satisfaction and that your project moves forward in a timely man

Beckford's Art Works offer a wide range of services including wood and stone carving, oil gilding, letter cutting, and architectural joinery.

Laurence Beckford's professional career in wood and stone carving began in 1978 as an apprentice for the well known company of Ecclesiastical woodworkers Herbert Read Ltd. Primarily as an Ecclesiastical carver Laurence has perfected techniques that enable him to incorporate supportive skills allowing for a greater skill base from which he can carry out his profession. Laurence is privileged to have been involved with many prestigious projects, examples are: The ’signature’ carver for the renewal of the State Dining Room and Octagon Dining Room ceiling bosses at Windsor Castle, the restoration of the Grinling Gibbons carvings at Hampton Court Palace and the conservation of two exterior Grinling Gibbons carvings at Holme Lacy, Herefordshire.

In Martyn Bednarczuk’s skilled hands the traditional arts of sculpting and carving continue to thrive. With talents inherited from his father who started the business over 40 years ago, Martyn is one of only a few members of the Master Carvers Association and, as such, his services are in much demand for both contemporary and traditional work.

Martyn Bednarczuk is recognised for his artistic talent and for being able to carve many different disciplines. He is able to sculpt portraits in bronze or wood to the finest detail. He works closely with designers and architects creating period interiors, private, public and corporate art to match clients’ artistic preferences. His diversity is expressed through a wide range of contemporary and period designs.

He specialises in Architectural carving, Ornamental carving, Gilding, 16th & 17th century English oak furniture and Sculptural and Figure work.

Before becoming self employed in January 2003 Mike served an apprenticeship and worked for 28 years at Linford Bridgeman, an architectural and ecclesiastical company specialising in the traditional crafts of wood & stone carving. He achieved the position of Master Carver and Head of Department.

In 1988 he became a fellow of the William Morris Fellowship which is organised by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (S.P.A.B.). He studied at the European School for craftsmen at San Servolo, Venice in 1992.

In 1994 he was elected as a member into the Royal Society of British Sculptors. February 2001 Mike was elected into the Worshipful Guild of Smiths who have been in existence since 1601. He has worked on Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Palace of Westminster and many National Trust buildings and churches. He supervised a team of carvers to work on the fire damage at Windsor Castle.

Maarten Robert started his career 50 years ago as a carver and sculptor at the Studio for Restauration ‘Uilenburg’ in Amsterdam. Apprenticeship 1970-1975. He continues to work on an extensive oeuvre to this day, in the Netherlands and abroad.

Nature of work - Commissions for restoration and reconstruction of carvings for both interior and exterior. Commissions for design and implementation of sculpture in wood for individuals and public institutions.
In addition, he has developed his free work, distinctly inspired by the classical examples of his illustrious predecessors. Portraits are his great love. And picture frames.

CONRAD THOMPSON specialise in:

Ornamental and Architectural sculpture
Stone carving
Plasterwork
Ornamental Ceilings
Interior design
Film sculpture/set sculpture
Classical figurative sculptures
Miniature figurines

Award winning master stone carver, sculptor & artist, Tom is a founding member of the London Stone Carving Workshops, a member of the Master Carver’s Association & of the Worshipful Company of Masons.

Tom’s career began in the time-honoured tradition of European stonemasons from the Renaissance onward, travelling Britain & Europe to gain experience on various high-profile stone commissions. This journey broadened his historical grasp of the tradition he had entered & taught him the practical skills needed to bend an intransigent medium to his will.

Tom keeps the ancient craft of working stone alive, perpetuating our great European tradition of stone craft & built heritage, through his own original sculptural work & historic restoration carving. He has worked on many varied & exciting private/public sculptural commissions & prestigious carving restoration projects, from the V&A’s Renaissance galleries & London’s Royal Albert Memorial to St George’s Chapel Windsor, Horace Walpole’s Strawberry Hill Mansions & sir John Soane’s Pitzhanger Manor.

Gerald set up his woodcarving business in 1986 after gaining a BA (hons) degree in fine art. His interest in woodcarving began while working for a leading furniture making firm, and then studying woodcarving at the London college of furniture, he has gone on to complete a post graduate certificate in education and taught city and guild students part time in the local technical college and adult education.

As well as completing many prestigious commissions, Gerald teaches regular weekly classes and beginners courses at the workshop.

Hugh will introduce himself as an humble woodchopper because where do you start if you are going to be pigeon-holed?

He carves mainly in wood, though also enjoys stone and marble, working in period styles and designs of his own contrivance.
He restores, reproduces ordesigns and makes pastiche pieces for curators, collectors decorators or dealers but his greatest pieces are in collaboration with the commissioning client ; over a number of years a drawing emerges that can be agreed on, realised and enjoyed.
The real joy is that clients commission again and relationships develop over decades.

Don’t forget letter cutting, in itself or as part of an elaborate design.