Join us online for a very special insight into the work of master carver Hugh Wedderburn, in conversation with historian Huon Mallalieu and Robert Young, leading specialist in Folk Art. They will present slides of Hugh’s work as well as referring to and handling historic objects from Robert’s gallery.

Forty-five years ago, Hugh Wedderburn, wishing to train as a sculptor, persuaded Sir Roger de Grey to accept him on the Restoration Course at the City and Guilds of London Art School, which despite fashion, fads and developing technology, stalwartly remains the custodian of traditional hand carving in both stone and wood, figurative sculpture, life drawing and letter cutting. Ever since Hugh has carved - restoration, period designs and innovative work for decorators, dealers, curators and collectors, private, corporate and commercial - his happiest pieces are made in collaboration with the client. 'The real joy is that clients commission again and relationships develop over decades. The most satisfying work is when the client allows freedom to be creative’.

After four years at Christie’s cataloguing watercolours, historian Huon Mallalieu became a freelance writer specialising in art and antiques. He has been a ‘regular casual’ with The Times since 1976, art market writer for Country Life since 1990, and writes on exhibitions in The Oldie. His publications include Biographical Dictionary of British Watercolour Artists (1976), Understanding Watercolours (1985), Antiques Roadshow A-Z of Antiques Hunting (1996). His In the Ear of the Beholder will be published by Thomas Del Mar shortly.

Robert Young trained at Sotheby’s under Derek Shrub in the early 1970s, then left in 1976 to run his own business, specialising in vernacular furniture, naive, primitive and folk art. He has published Treen for the Table, co-authored with Dr Jonathan Levi (1998) and Folk Art (1999). Robert has served as a specialist vetter and Chaired vetting committees at British and American antiques fairs for many years and was Vice Chairman of the British Antique Dealers Association from 2015 -2023.

A zoom link will be sent out automatically to all FHS members in advance of this talk. If you are not subscribed to email communication please contact events@furniturehistorysociety.org to receive the link.

Hugh Wedderburn Abundant Harvest