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Furniture Makers’ Hall

The Frederick Parker Collection is a unique and outstanding educational resource spanning over 300 years of British furniture making and design, from 1660 to the present day.  The Collection comprises over 200 chairs, together with an archive of related historical documents and artefacts and became part of the Furniture Makers’ Company in 2013.

We are delighted that we have two very interesting speakers for the Annual Lectures this year:

Robert’s life has been spent teaching furniture making and designing and making himself, initially with his brother in Yorkshire and then in Dorset where he helped John Makepeace set up the renowned school at Parnham.  He ran this for twenty years as principal before setting up his own workshop in North Wales where he has spent the last twenty years.

Besides furniture he is particularly known for his jewellery and other boxes.  He has been awarded no less than ten Guild Marks by the Company and is a Fellow of the Society of Designer Craftsmen.  Robert will talk about his long career and show some of his work.

Tibor Reich was a pioneering textile designer of the mid-century, introducing dramatic patterns and bold colours into furnishing fabrics which lit up some of the most influential interiors of the post-war era.  His textiles were used in Clarence House, many ocean liners, the Festival of Britain, Concorde and by firms including Ercol and G-Plan.

The firm closed in 1976 but his grandson Sam Reich has been inspired by the rich archive and important legacy to bring the Tibor Reich brand back to life.  Sam’s enthusiasm and energy are infectious; he will talk about his grandfather’s achievements and his own mission to relaunch this once-famous textile house.

The lectures will be followed by a sparkling wine reception and optional three course dinner with wine, which will be an excellent opportunity to meet other supporters of the Frederick Parker Collection and members of the Company.  Guests are very welcome to attend!

Places for this popular event are limited so please reply as soon as possible using the attached application form.  Proceeds from the evening will go to support the Collection.

Further information about the Frederick Parker Collection can be seen here.  New supporters are always welcome – please contact [email protected] if you would like to become a Friend of the Collection.