For those of us of a certain age and that probably entered the furniture making profession thirty or more years ago, news has arrived that one of the profession’s greats in Great Britain has gone.
Alan Peters died last Sunday, October 11, 2009. I remember our few meetings and occasional telephone conversations as being some of the most affirming and constructive on furniture design and making issues.
In the particular craft furniture world he inhabitied, consisting of honest design integrity married to excellence in craftsmanship, Alan Peters was the essential link between contemporary mid to late 20th century furniture and the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 1800s through such things as his apprenticeship at the Barnsley workshops. Slainte.
Replies
So sorry to hear of the passing of one of the truly great ones.
Edited 10/14/2009 6:25 am ET by Marsupial
He was one of the great ones.
That is sad news.
I had the pleasure of spending some time with him in 1989 at a local conference and later at an instructors retreat in Northern Saskatchewan.
A true gentleman.
Don
Don Kondra - Furniture Designer/Maker
Associate Editor - Canadian Woodshop News and Review <!----><!----><!---->
Edited 10/14/2009 9:28 pm by donkondra1
Richard,
Sorry to hear about a friend of yours passing. I didn't know him, and I'm very new to woodworking, but in a strange coincidence just this evening I quoted something out of Joyce's Encyclopedia of Furniture Making, which Alan Peters revised.
If I'm part of the next generation of woodworkers (new in experience, that is, certainly not in age), then his work is already having an influence. That's a great gift to leave behind.
Again, my condolences.
--jonnieboy
jonnieboy, he wasn't a friend, but he was an acquaintance that I talked to a few times.
Obviously he's not as well known to American furniture designer makers as to the British. For me, being British, the influence of Peters and the tradition he sprang from is of greater importance than any of the recent American based icons.
Here's a link to a short trailer for an upcoming film/video of his life's work. Slainte.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4N0KHV0n1g
richardjonesfurniture.com
Edited 10/15/2009 5:32 am by SgianDubh
Richard,
Alan Peter's work always seems to have a good dose of the English A&C (especially Barnsley) DNA in it and appeals to me because of that and its dynamic development of the tradition. As his rework and update of the Joyce book shows, perhaps, he seemed an eminently practical and grounded maker.
Sadly, much contemporary furniture leaves me cold as it seems to contain too much flight of the fancy and not enough of this "grounded" aspect. Not so with Mr Peters, so his own book on furniture making is hopefully now winging it's way to my letterbox. I wonder, by the way, if you know of any other source of his work, that a shameless copying-bloke like me might turn to?
Mr Peters seemed to have a long and satisfying life, so although he is a loss to the English tradition and to his friends & family, the rest of us probably don't need to feel too sad on his behalf. Would that we all could lead such a productive, worthwhile and fulfilling life.
Lataxe
Richard
Is there a particular book you could recommend?
Thanks for the note, Richard.
I was in touch with Jeremy Broun a few days ago in regard to Alan Peter's passing, and he mentioned that he was putting together an obituary. Jeremy was very close to Alan and has completed a documentary on him, "The Maker's Maker".
If any are interested in the DVD, Jeremy may be contacted at http://woodomain.com/
Regards from Perth
Derek
Edited 10/17/2009 7:39 am ET by derekcohen
Here are links to a couple of obituaries for anyone wanting to learn just a little more about Alan Peters' life. I am sure there are plenty of more in depth sources than these, but here are the links anyway. Slainte.
Times of London
The Guardian
richardjonesfurniture.com
I had the good fortune of meeting a collector of Alan Peters work in Scituate Massachusetts. He had half a dozen pieces ranging from a dining room table made from an enormous slab of elm with 12 chairs, to a padauk bookcase that weighed a ton which I helped to move up a narrow winding staircase to the second floor of his house.His furniture was timeless, elegant and a truly remarkable use of material and workmanship.Up to this point I had only known of his work through the edited version of Joyce's Encyclopedia of Furniture Making. And once having seen it in person I was truly impressed with the fluid effortless design and the superlative craftsmanship.He has certainly left a wonderful legacy to the woodworking community and all who strive to do their best work.F.
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