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

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.

CONRAD THOMPSON specialise in:

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

Dafydd has been carving in wood and creating period style pieces for over 20 years,under the guidance and teaching of his late father Emyr, also a Master Carver.

Specialising in the restoration of 18th Century gilt wood furniture,mirrors,fire surrounds and pastiches of tables and mirrors Dafydd has had numerous commissions ranging from work for the National Trust to bespoke gilded mirrors and tables for interior designers.

Mae Dafydd wedi ei eni yng Nghymru ond wedi cael ei godi yn Llundain a Chaerloyw. Roedd gan Dafydd weithdy yn Abertawe ond erbyn hyn mae wedi symud i fyw a gweithio yn Llandeilo. Roedd yn cyd weithio gyda’i dad tan iddo farw yn sydyn ym mis Awst. Roedd Emyr ei dad, hefyd yn Feistr Cerfio ac yn adnabyddus iawn am ei ddawn.

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.

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.

Houghtons of York are a well established family run business with a wealth of experience specialising in high quality joinery and woodcarving for clients throughout the UK. With workshops based at Dunnington on the outskirts of the historic city of York we directly employ a team of exceptionally skilled Joiners and Woodcarvers that use traditional methods and materials to produce a diverse range of high quality bespoke commissioned work.​

With strong links to other specialist businesses we frequently manage multi disciplinary projects incorporating crafts such as blacksmiths, glazing & stained glass, polishers, gilders & signwriters etc....

Our works encompass new build, restoration, conservation, repairs and maintenance for clients including Private Homeowners, The National Trust, English Heritage, Parish Churches and Cathedrals (St Paul’s, Canterbury, Newcastle, York etc…).

Our small team of highly skilled architectural woodcarvers invite commissions for the hand carving of –

- Architectural mouldings such as Egg and Dart, Bead and Reel, Waterleaf, Acanthus leaf etc…
- Ornamental chimneypieces, overmantles, overdoors and pediments.
- Letter cutting to plaques, signs, role boards, notice boards, pews, house signs and nameplates.
- Swags, drops, pateri, corbels, coats of arms and tracery work.

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.

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.

From Palladio’s classicism through the humblest country churchyard to formal or contemporary garden landscaping, lettering in stone or wood provides a deeply personal and long lasting tribute, memory or statement.

Based on her background in visual recognition, art and design, Lisi has developed a workshop creating original and beautiful individually crafted art pieces based on these timeless principals, often with a whimsical or humorous twist.

Working with traditional or classic forms, or specially commissioned lettering, her architectural works are true expressions of individuality and personal value.

Inspired by themes as diverse as poetry, history, philosophy, science and the landscape, her work makes a dramatic focal point, or a deeply intimate tribute or message.

Quality craftsmanship and a highly sensitive creative resource combine to provide you with a unique and enduring commission.

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.

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.

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.

Representing professional wood and stone carvers (elected to membership by peer review) and founded in 1897, the association promotes the interests of its members and seeks to maintain the traditions, skills and knowledge of the craft. It also seeks to raise awareness of the abilities of the membership and the necessity of maintaining this capability and knowledge for the care of historic artefacts, the continuity of Heritage Craft and the ability to innovate.

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.

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.

Nick has worked on public commissions as well as historic buildings and carvings. He has an extensive portfolio of portrait commissions in both public and private collections. He works in marble, stone, slate, onyx, clay, plaster and bronze.

Following a degree in sculpture he went on to specialised training in stone carving at Weymouth & Portland College. This led to more training with Treasure & Sons of Ludlow restoring listed historic buildings.

Nick has extensive experience in seeing projects through from the beginning to final carving including planning, design, visualisation and maquette work. His trademark is his ability to work with clients enthusiastically and sympathetically meeting deadlines through careful scheduling.

In 2009 he began working with rarer types of onyx and marble restoring antique sculptures for some of the major auction houses in the UK.

He is experienced in copy carving or sculpting in clay from photographic reference.

Nick has a workshop in south Manchester and undertakes commissions nationally and overseas.

Nigel Hilliard’s family have long been connected with wood carving, spanning a period of three centuries, where knowledge, skills and disciplines have passed from one generation to another.

For the last twenty five years, Nigel, who was taught by his father Terence Hilliard has been reproducing picture frames and decorative furniture as well as restoring some of the finest antique furniture.

Much of this work requires gilding and often necessitates simulating a period finish. This is achieved using a variety of methods and techniques that have evolved and developed over the years.

Many of the frames he has worked on are displayed in museums and private collections worldwide surrounding paintings by celebrated artists, including, Rubens, Canaletto, Reynolds, Gainsborough, Monet and Picasso. Nigel’s work includes restoring particular items from the Carlton House trophy collection for Windsor Castle and carvings for Spencer House, as well as providing a high quality service to art and antique dealers, private collectors and those whose interests include joinery, cabinet making, architectural and interior design.

Paul Ferguson established the Workshop in 1978 after five years studying design at art school followed by a further five years training as a wood carver in the West End of London at the Paul Levi Studio, picture framer extraordinaire, under the guidance of master carver Edward Desave. In 2012 the Workshop became incorporated as Fine Wood Carving & Gilding Ltd.

Paul undertakes extensive restoration/conservation work that entails conservation reports, analysis, proposed treatments, and method statements followed by final reports including photographs of works during progress.

New projects are also welcomed. The knowledge gained on the numerous and varied projects completed over the years enables the Workshop to offer new works to the highest standard, whether it be a traditional design or a totally new concept. Consultation followed by sketches and CAD drawings being produced as necessary.

Contracts have been carried out for a wide variety of clients, ranging from royal palaces, stately homes, government buildings and public museums to architects, antique dealers, interior designers and private individuals.