From the 3rd -7th May London celebrates ‘London Craft Week‘ focusing on ‘exceptional craftsmanship through a journey.’ I started my own journey of creating reproduction designs from console tables and dining chairs to simple crafted stools, when I couldn’t quite bear to part with an antique original I had owned. Buying the antique originals is inspired by the design that compelled me to make a facsimile copy. Over the years of this happening so many times, the reproduction side which includes fireplaces, lighting and handcrafted furniture, has rapidly grown with over forty pieces in the furniture collection alone from elegant and sophisticated Georgian and Regency style chairs and sofas:
The Muston reproduction chair with the Melbury mirror reflecting the traditional globe lantern, alongside the antiques in our showroom.
to more unusual and quirky inspired pieces such as the Bobbinwhatnot side table:
The Bobbin what not table.
The antiques that has served as the inspiration for this growing reproduction collection are examples of the finest English and Irish County house aesthetic.
The Fawley armchair sits in front of a good early 19th century Regency Greek revival carved statuary antique marble fireplace.
The heart of Jamb lies with the English Country house aesthetic and all our reproduction designs blend effortlessly within. It is of the utmost importance to me that all of our reproduction products are made of the highest quality. It was integral that the details of each product hold an integrity that you would find with any antique. For example, the traditional brass castors of our sofas and chairs are lost wax copies of originals, patinated for the authentic look.
Detail from our reproduction Hanbury sofa in veneered ebony,. Inspired from a 1830 Regency style sofa, the straight back and curved arms above a rectangular squab cushion seat, the frieze embellished with plain fielded panels above square tapering legs and brass castors.
All our furniture is hand crafted in England using the traditional cabinet making techniques and the finest sustainable timbers including Mahogany, American Walnut and English Oak.
The Bucknell table in solid English oak with the Kemble stool and Pickford lamp.
Each piece is approached without compromise from the bare bones to the hand polished or patinated surface. Each collection continues the Jamb tradition of re-creating classic design with exceptional quality.
The first chair I ever recreated for the furniture collection was the Klismos chair. Originally Created by the Greeks during 6th BC, it was revived during the 18th and 19th Centuries.
The variations in style from the Cobblers stool, the Ducane chair ( based on the Klismos chair) to the Standon stool all share the quality of craftsmanship that I so admire from the great designs of the past.
Ruhlmann was the leading Parisian furniture designer of his time (1879-1933) and with his partner, M. Laurent, they produced what is probably the best made and certainly the most expensive furniture of the time. He was an absolute genius and inspired me to create the Ruhlmann wine table.
This elegant brown chestnut tripod table with moulded circular top on an overscrolled tripod base is in the manner of Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann, shows his preference for the simplest forms.
Gillows of Lancaster and London was a leading Regency furniture duo. The Perwick side tables are inspired from one of their designs. I just love the architectural nature of them. I used them in my Hanbury street project as bedside tables, but as with all of our pieces, they are extremely versatile.
A pair of Perwick side tables with nineteenth century Grand Tour models.
The Sellers table is one my favourite products. I bought the original as a Valentine’s gift to my wife. It is a piece with a lovely history, as the original was made from recycled teak taken from a 19th Century wooden warship.
The Arts and Craft style Sellers table in American walnut with a mid 19th century Fine and Rare architect’s model of a Cotswold country house, inscribed in pencil, John Bateman dated 1846.
To complete the picture we have four different styles of mirrors.
The Circular Bucranium Mirror.
I love the Bucranium mirrors, ( circular and rectangular) with the distinctive ox skull cresting, inspired from the Roman period when Roman temples were adorned with sacrificial oxen and decorated them with fruit and flowers. The symbol was integral as a key motif in the Doric order of architecture and later in the 1770’s in the Neoclassical revival.
I designed the Mansfield Mirror, in the manner of the great architect and designer, Sir John Soane, who is a constant source of inspiration to me.
I love that London has created this annual celebration of the wonders of craftsmanship. Brilliant skills, unbounded passion and pure focus, from new and emerging makers to renowned and well known creators, that reminds us of integrity and all that is special and worthy.