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Members of the Regional Furniture Society and Furniture History Society are invited to a celebratory reception in honour of the 50 years Bill and Gerry Cotton have devoted to Regional Furniture Studies.
Just over 50 years ago, Bill Cotton was drawn to the possibility that country furniture could be defined by regional characteristics influenced by geography, materials, trade, rural customs and traditional ways of life. He and Gerry started collecting chairs with makers’ stamps and brands which they referenced to trade directories, census returns and newspaper archives to establish provenance. And so began a lifetime project to identify the makers and define the regional distinctions of furniture made across the British Isles.
This reception at the Museum of Home will be a moment to reflect on their achievement and acknowledge the significance of the Cotton Chair Collection and Archive they have donated to the museum, and the massive indexes of English regional furniture makers now being added to BIFMO.
There will be short tributes led by Liz Hancock and Simon Swynfen Jervis at 2.30pm.
There is no charge for this event, but you are required to register. Places are limited and will be allocated first come, first served. To register please email your details to: events.rfs@gmail.com
