Large handcarved comb-back armchair made from green English ash, individually selected and felled from woodlands around London. Seasoned English oak, lime and beech are also used. The chair is made by splitting components from the log by hand and shaping them with hand tools. Tool marks are left visible across the chair resulting in surface texture, that is accentuated by the black paint finish.
Height 102 cm
Width 78 cm
Diameter 75 cm
©Lee & Edkins
©Bibbings & Hensby
©Bibbings & Hensby
©Bibbings & Hensby
©Bibbings & Hensby
Jack Bibbings & Matthew Hensby
- Bibbings & Hensby
- Furniture maker
- London, United Kingdom
- Master Artisan
Contact
English
Hours:
By appointment only
By appointment only
Phone:
+44 7894503687
+44 7894503687
©Bibbings & Hensby
The power of tradition
- • Jack and Matthew work predominantly with hand tools
- • Their production is imbued with warmth and individuality
- • They handcraft practical everyday pieces
Jack Bibbings and Matthew Hensby studied fine furniture making together before opening their own workshop in East London where they create contemporary handmade wooden furniture while developing designs that build on inherited vernacular traditions. It was a happy coincidence that they ended up studying together at the same time, both had experienced the same turning point when they realised that they wished to pursue careers that involved the fulfilment of making things with their hands. “The reason why we decided to set up our workshop,” they say, “is that we were interested in using traditional furniture making techniques, especially those focused on the use of hand tools, to make relevant contemporary designs.”
Read the full interviewWorks
Photo: ©Bibbings & Hensby
Lounge chair
Photo: ©Bibbings & Hensby
Hutch cabinet
Design based on a 19th century Scottish shepherd's hutch which features simple dowel hinged cupboard doors and dovetailed drawer. Traditional handcut joinery has been used throughout and the piece is made here exclusively from Scandinavian redwood.
Height 90 cm
Length 80 cm
Width 40 cm
Photo: ©Bibbings & Hensby
Frame & Panel bed
Bed featuring contemporary frame and panel headboard arrangement with references to traditional wainscot panelling. Constructed using traditional handcut drawbore joinery. Made here in king size from English oak and left in its unfinished raw state.
Height 134 cm
Length 213 cm
Width 161 cm
Photo: ©Bibbings & Hensby
Comb-back stick chair
Comb-back armchair influenced by the welsh tradition. All the elements are shaped by hand with tool marks left visible resulting in a tactile surface texture, that is accentuated by the deep purple paint finish.
Height 106 cm
Width 60 cm
Diameter 65 cm
Photo: ©Bibbings & Hensby
Spindle back settee
Handcarved three-person settee made from locally sourced green ash. The settee is produced in the traditional manner starting with selecting and felling an ash tree from woodlands in Kent and splitting components from the log by hand while the timber remains green. With carved spindles and a textured seat, the settee displays tool marks in abundance. Finished in black milk paint and linseed oil.
Height 165 cm
Width 55 cm
Diameter 85 cm
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