Who was Hugh Birkett ?
Hugh David Grisdale Birkett (1919-2002)
Hugh Birkett was the son of Thomas and Annie Birkett, Thomas was a member of the Birmingham Guild of Handicraft and a partner of the 'Faukner Bronze Co.' manufacturing metal work in the arts and crafts tradition. In 1902 the firm took over the comparable business 'Rathbone' two years later it was rebranded as Jesson Birkett & Co.
His mother Annie studied at the Margaret Street School of Art later she produced designs for both Jesson Birket & Co and the Silversmiths A. E. Jones. Annie Stubbs was awarded a gold medal by the board of Education at South Kensington in 1907 for a carved ivory box subsequently bequeathed to Birmingham City Museum and Art Gallery. Her Sister Kathleen Stubbs was a talented book Binder exhibited regularly in Birmingham.
A pencil sketch by Hugh Birkett, thought to be of the Rowan berry carved panelling at Blackwell The Arts and Crafts House by Mackie Hugh Ballie Scott.
Provenance: Hugh Birkett estate, now in a private British collection.
Hugh Birkett trained as a engineer he went on to work with Oliver Morel for 18 months who trained under Edward Barnsley. After which he spent a similar period of time working with Edward Gardiner who produced chairs to Ernest Gimson's designs. He lived and worked in Moreton-in-Marsh from 1966-2002. As well as making furniture and fittings on a commision basis he was a competant book binder.
Hugh Birkett received the coverted 'Guild Mark' award from the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers for an English walnut bow fronted dislay cabinet.
I wish to acknowledge Mr Gareth Rees of Redcurrant Furniture for his assistance with the above research.
Annette Carruthers and Mary Greensted, Good Citizen's Furniture, 1994
Bonhams Auctioneers, Oxford, The Sale of Mr Hugh Birkett's Estate, 17th September 2002 Sale Number D1842.
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