Historical image of items being produced at the handicraft unit

University history unveiled with Handicraft Unit furniture auction and exhibition

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ will unveil a rich collection of period furniture for auction from the Handicraft Unit, a programme established in the 1930s which trained students in furniture making under leading craftsmen.

This unique part of º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ’s history emerged from today’s internationally-recognised Design School where students were required to dedicate time each week to the practice, led by two of the most famous proponents of the Cotswold School - Peter Waals and Edward Barnsley.

Notable features of the Cotswold Tradition style of making were the careful choice of solid wood to produce well-proportioned and functional pieces as well as open-construction, dovetailing or pinned joints.

The work produced went directly into use at the college, as students had to make their own bedroom sets consisting of drawers, chairs, wardrobes and bookcases.

Often, the students would carve their initials into the finished pieces and º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Allison’s father’s work was discovered amongst the collection.

As a result of the Handicraft Unit, the University has a collection of museum-quality furniture made under the tutelage of key luminaries of the time.

Whilst the University will retain key items, a surplus of bedroom sets and chairs will be sold in an online auction from 8 – 10 September managed by TV auctioneer and º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ alumnus Phillip Serrell, known for his appearances on the BBC’s Bargain Hunt and Flog It! programmes.

Proceeds from the auction will be donated back to the University to support future students and cutting edge research projects.

The collection is also set to feature in a new public exhibition produced by LU Arts and organised by the University Archivist Jennifer Clark.

Alongside a set of key items, it features some of the fascinating material from the archives including sketch books, leaflets and technical drawings.

The exhibition opens at Martin Hall Exhibition Space on 8 – 10 September to coincide with the auction and continues thereafter until 13 October from Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm.

Taking inspiration from the archive material, LU Arts has also commissioned artist Giles Round to re-design its offices to incorporate items from the collection.

For further information on the auction items and viewing arrangements, visit the website.

Notes for editors

Press release reference number: 17/121

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is equipped with a live in-house broadcast unit via the Globelynx network. To arrange an interview with one of our experts please contact the press office on 01509 223491. Bookings can be made online via www.globelynx.com

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines. It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world to study sports-related subjects in the 2017 QS World University Rankings and top in the country for its student experience in the 2016 THE Student Experience Survey.

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ was ranked 6th in the Guardian University League Table 2018 and 10th in The UK Complete University Guide 2018 and was also named Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017. It has been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework, which recognises institutions that deliver consistently outstanding teaching that is of the highest quality found in the UK.

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

The º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.

Categories