A Trinity of Trinities

December 23, 2014 by RFS

RFS members who attended the July conference will recall the almshouses at Castle Rising which miraculously retain their original furniture. They were built by Henry Howard Earl of Northampton, an antiquarian with an interest in architectural design, who was a key figure at the heart of the Jacobean establishment and who brokered James VI of Scotland’s succession to the throne of England.

The December 10th edition of Country Life magazine includes an article A Trinity of Trinities. This year three historic almshouses celebrate the 400th anniversary of their founders death. John Goodall explains the origins of their creation.

Newsletter research articles – a complete list

November 22, 2014 by RFS

Christopher Claxton Stevens has assiduously recorded every research article published in the RFS Newsletter since the first issue in 1985. This not only provides the Society with a comprehensive list of the shorter articles that have been produced over the years, but also a very useful finding aid for those accessing the Newsletter via public library collections. You can see the list here: Newsletter research articles.

Many thanks to Christopher for all his hard work in producing this document and very impressive to see the depth and diversity of RFS research over the years.

Regional furniture online

August 12, 2014 by RFS

This week sees the publication of a blog post by the RFS chairman Chris Pickvance on an important medieval chest at Gressenhall on the Norfolk Museums Shine a Light project website. The Shine a Light Project “seeks to unlock the potential of the Norfolk Museums’ fabulous reserve collections, by making them accessible to all” and Chris’s post certainly does that – looking in close detail at the construction, condition and history of the chest.

The chest at the Norfolk Collections Centre, c.1400s from St Margaret’s Church, Norwich (NWHCM : L1974.29.3)

Another RFS member, Max Kite, has set up his own blog “aimed at raising the profile of James Reilly, a prolific chairmaker, inventor, innovator and entrepreneur in Manchester, England, between 1850-1889” which is worth a look: jamesreillychairs.wordpress.com.

If readers are aware of other online resources relating to regional furniture we would like to hear about them – email regionalfurnituresociety@gmail.com with your suggestions. Have a look at the Links page to see what’s out there already.

From the Country House to the Laboratory

May 16, 2014 by RFS

This week’s issue of Country Life magazine (May 14th) includes an article by RFS journal editor Adam Bowett.

From the Country House to the Laboratory celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Furniture History Society which was founded in 1964 and he suggests some ways that the society may advance. Adam explains how research into furniture history and its related fields (largely through innovations from across the Atlantic) has moved forward in leaps and bounds over the succeeding years and how neglect by the FHS of the exciting field of vernacular furniture studies led to the formation of the Regional Furniture Society twenty years later.

He illustrates his arguments with photos of the evolution of period room displays at the Geffrye Museum in recent years and examples of scientific timber analysis of a 13th century coffer from Westminster.

Whilst promoting the work of both furniture societies, he ends his article by challenging the FHS to revisit it’s original aims and appears to suggest the unification of the two societies. Do get a copy before it disappears from your newsagent’s shelves on Tuesday.

Monty Don’s Real Craft

April 17, 2014 by RFS

You may have caught the first episode of a new series, Monty Don’s Real Craft on More4 earlier this week, in which “Monty Don helps gifted amateurs revive crafts of the past as they compete to win a prized commission from a prestige buyer.” Episode 2, to be shown on More4 on Monday 21st April at 9pm, is called ‘Wood’ and involves three amateur furniture-makers competing “for the chance to work with one of the UK’s most respected furniture companies.” It will definitely be worth a watch as some of the programme was filmed earlier this year with Dr Bill Cotton at his home in Cirencester.

A warm welcome to new followers of the RFS website!

March 12, 2014 by RFS

Thanks to a nice mention in Peter Follansbee’s blog Joiner’s Notes (which is well worth a look) we have had a flurry of new followers whom we would like to welcome. We hope very much that you will be inspired to join the Society and enjoy all the benefits of membership!

Did you know about the RFS Bursaries?

December 2, 2013 by RFS

Each year the RFS awards a small number of research bursaries to current members. These are designed to encourage and support research projects related to regional furniture, with a view to publication.

Recent projects that have been funded are:

Dendrochronological dating of the ‘domed’ chest at Fordwich Town Hall, Kent. Awarded to Chris Pickvance.

Research and recording of spinning wheels in the Victoria & Albert Museum and the London Science Museum. The grant was for travel, accommodation, photographic materials and photocopying. Awarded to Valerie Bryant.

There are also a number of small conference and study day bursaries. These are intended to encourage interest in the subject and support early-career professional members and students, particularly those who are new to the subject, to attend the annual RFS conference or an RFS meeting. For further details see the Bursaries information page and application form here.