HUW EDWARDS-JONES

MASTER CABINET MAKER / DESIGNER

CONSERVATOR & RESTORER

Master Cabinet maker / Designer

Liveryman of the Worshipful Co of Furniture makers.

Multi Guild mark award winner.

Freeman of the City of London.

hejdesignermaker@btinternet.com

Huw’s interest in all things wood, started in the middle of the Indian Ocean in 1975 while training as a navigation Officer with The Clan line, aboard the M.V Clan Malcolm. The Ship’s carpenter allowed Huw to use his workshop under the Focasle, whittling away on bits of exotic hardwoods left onboard the ship for packing purposes. It was always amazing what exotic woods were found amongst the lumber left in various holds of the ship.

Huw started his cabinet making career for real after resigning from the Merchant Navy, and starting an Apprentice in an Antique restoration workshop in 1976. After qualifying, he was employed by a number of top restoration firms.

In 1984, Huw established his own cabinet making / restoration workshop, taking time out in 1989 to complete a Design degree.

In 1996 Huw displayed his work at the Daily telegraph & House & Garden Exhibition at Olympia in London, after making several original one off pieces of design. He was spotted by John Bly from the ‘Antiques Roadshow’, where Mr Bly asked Huw if he would like to feature in his forthcoming program ‘Heirlooms’ which Huw accepted. Mr Arthur Brett, who at the time was The Master of the Worshipful company of furniture makers, asked Huw if he would like to apply to join the Worshipful company of furniture makers company as a Liveryman. Huw was summoned for a interview infant of a group of Liveryman and the master, to which he was accepted in 1999.

Huw, also on Mr Brett’s recommendation, applied for a prestigious Craft Guild mark for “The Gentleman’s cabinet”, which had been displayed at Olympia. It was later inspected by The Guild-mark committee and was given the prestigious Guild mark no 191. Since this time, Huw has aquired Five Guild marks to date, for pieces of outstanding craftsmanship & Design.

Since this point Huw has featured in many top flight exhibitions; Olympia Fine Art and Antiques, A Celebration of Excellence’ [Guild mark Exhibition] at Bonhams, London, A Celebration of Excellence, The Long Gallery Cheltenham, The Goldsmiths exhibition, Central London, The Silversmiths in the City London. The 150th anniversary to Henry Royce @The Dorchester Mayfair,London. Friday night is Music night ,The 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain VIP Marquee Biggin Hill / Rizon Jet Hanger. The Elite Exhibition,Rizon jet, Biggin Hill aerodrome. Also in addition, personal Exhibitions of his work, presented by John Bly from the Antiques Roadshow.

TV appearances include “Heirlooms” hosted by John Bly, senior Furniture expert from BBC Antiques Roadshow and noted Author.

Channel 4, “Four Rooms”. [The Spitfire table]

The Boultbeeflightacademy ,Goodwood.

The Spitfire table was displayed on the 75th Anniversary to the Battle of Britain,at the Boultbee flight academy ,with a Multi Spitfire fly in, The last of the Few ,& ATA pilot, the late Mary Ellis, Prince Harry with a large Spitfire display.

Books & publications with Huw’s works featured, Rolls Royce ‘ Azure’. ‘Bespoke’, by Betty Norbury. The Rolls Royce yearbook celebrating 150 years of life & Legacy of Sir Henry Royce. A celebration of Excellance from the Worshipful company of furniture makers. TheSpitfire society yearbook. House & Garden. Antique collectors magazine amongst many others.

Huw’s Renowned career has been varied & challenging. Times & tastes have certainly changed considerably, however, always being on this treadmill of creating masterpieces without compromise, the one thing still remains true in my mind!

Life is short & with the passing of time, urgency becomes more prolific, to go the extra mile, even when this means not making as much money, to create a masterpiece that will stand the test of time, to be loved & treasured for future generations to come & to bring back into fashion the treasured ‘Heirloom’.

A true Artist craftsman is driven by the passion for beauty on the endless treadmill aiming for perfection, which of course is never quite achieved.

This brings to mind a line from an old Bob Dylan son, ‘Truth is an arrow and the gate is narrow that it passes through’.

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