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Mews Antiques
Tel01905 923702Please quote Antiques Atlas.
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Arthur Basil Reynolds Arts & Crafts Desk
This is a post war Arts & Crafts desk made by Arthur Basil Reynolds (ABR) between 1947-60. ABR worked for Stanley Davis of Windermere who was a pupil of Ernest Gimson. He was later the manager of the famous Brynmawr antique furniture Company and after Paul Matt left in 1936 he not only carried on as manager but designer as well. The influence can be clearly seen by the craftsmanship, design and quality of finish. Please note the handles with square stepped design which can be traced back through Brynmawr to Stanley Davis and then to Ernest Gimson himself.
David Joel the husband of furniture designer Betty Joel in his 1953 book said “Writing desk in English Walnut designed by A. B. Reynolds and made, largely by hand, Reynolds Woodware Ltd, Ludlow, a firm renowned for fine craftsmanship” page 156 & 157, The Adventure of British Furniture, David Joel.
A Tale of Two Desert Rats
This desk offers us a glimpse into two men’s lives that conjure some of the fiercest fighting of World War II and hold real stories and character. Arthur Basil Reynolds was attached to the famous 8th army battle group, please read his life history below. He made and designed his furniture following the Arts & Crafts principles and was well known in the post war years for his quality of cabinet making and design. The Reynolds are not only related to the Cadbury’s but also Sykes timber of Atherstone. This piece was acquired in Staffordshire and previously owned by a former desert rat now in his 90s.
Arthur Basil Reynolds
Arthur Reynolds was born in 1903 and raised as a Quaker. His cabinet making apprenticeship was served with Northover & Gilbert in Bridport Dorset. Following this he became a woodwork teacher for a year and then went on to work for Stanley Davis in Windmere who was a pupil of Ernest Gimson. With the depression in the 1920’s and 1930’s South Wales suffered greatly with the high unemployment in the coal fields, one particular area badly affected was Brynmawr. As relief, the Quakers or Society of Friends grouped together and started what was known as the Brynmawr Experiment to try to create employment and provide charity based welfare support. With this effort, a number of Quakers moved into the area to help with many companies being set up employing the local community. Arthur Reynolds went to work at the Paul Matt Furniture Company in South Wales in 1929, as assistant to Paul Matt the designer and manager who left in 1936. Whilst he did not receive any tuition as designer during this period, he was exposed to Paul Matt’s design ability for seven years as his assistant. He then ran this company as designer and manager until voluntary liquidation was declared due to the outbreak of World War II. He then joined the armed services during World War II being was assigned to the support unit for the eighth army battle group he became a Major, received the M.B.E. for his services and was stationed in Italy for some of this time. Following the end of World War II Arthur Reynolds decided that he wanted to set up his own furniture making business. He travelled around the Midlands attempting to find a suitable location for his company in this area. There have been two given reasons by Garth Reynolds for the area choice, firstly his relation in Birmingham, Joseph Sykes who ran timber yards, secondly the central location for distribution to the country, which prompted Reynolds move from Dorset. Whenever any restrictions upon the control of timber were loosened, Joseph Sykes, Arthur Reynolds cousin would ring him straight away to inform him so he could obtain as much timber as legally possible. Initially he made furniture in Bromsgrove and Halesowen but finally found what he was looking for in Ludlow and set his business there. At the height of Reynolds of Ludlow’s production during the late 1950s and early 1960s, they employed 18 people in the company.
Arthur Reynolds exhibited in 1951 at the Festival of Britain Exhibition in the House and Garden Pavilion. His market aim was the middle to upper classes due to the cost of the furniture being produced. The firm also supplied some prestigious retailers like Heals, Dunns and won prestigious contracts e.g. GEC boardroom, Leicester University Hall and chairs for Southall Minster, all having the same market aim as their antique furniture. As the major driving force behind the firm, it was a major loss when Arthur Reynolds died suddenly after a short illness in 1960.
SellerMews Antiques
View all stock from
Mews Antiques
Private dealer
By appointment only
Droitwich Spa
Worcestershire
Tel : 01905 923702
Non UK callers : +44 1905 923702
David Joel the husband of furniture designer Betty Joel in his 1953 book said “Writing desk in English Walnut designed by A. B. Reynolds and made, largely by hand, Reynolds Woodware Ltd, Ludlow, a firm renowned for fine craftsmanship” page 156 & 157, The Adventure of British Furniture, David Joel.
A Tale of Two Desert Rats
This desk offers us a glimpse into two men’s lives that conjure some of the fiercest fighting of World War II and hold real stories and character. Arthur Basil Reynolds was attached to the famous 8th army battle group, please read his life history below. He made and designed his furniture following the Arts & Crafts principles and was well known in the post war years for his quality of cabinet making and design. The Reynolds are not only related to the Cadbury’s but also Sykes timber of Atherstone. This piece was acquired in Staffordshire and previously owned by a former desert rat now in his 90s.
Arthur Basil Reynolds
Arthur Reynolds was born in 1903 and raised as a Quaker. His cabinet making apprenticeship was served with Northover & Gilbert in Bridport Dorset. Following this he became a woodwork teacher for a year and then went on to work for Stanley Davis in Windmere who was a pupil of Ernest Gimson. With the depression in the 1920’s and 1930’s South Wales suffered greatly with the high unemployment in the coal fields, one particular area badly affected was Brynmawr. As relief, the Quakers or Society of Friends grouped together and started what was known as the Brynmawr Experiment to try to create employment and provide charity based welfare support. With this effort, a number of Quakers moved into the area to help with many companies being set up employing the local community. Arthur Reynolds went to work at the Paul Matt Furniture Company in South Wales in 1929, as assistant to Paul Matt the designer and manager who left in 1936. Whilst he did not receive any tuition as designer during this period, he was exposed to Paul Matt’s design ability for seven years as his assistant. He then ran this company as designer and manager until voluntary liquidation was declared due to the outbreak of World War II. He then joined the armed services during World War II being was assigned to the support unit for the eighth army battle group he became a Major, received the M.B.E. for his services and was stationed in Italy for some of this time. Following the end of World War II Arthur Reynolds decided that he wanted to set up his own furniture making business. He travelled around the Midlands attempting to find a suitable location for his company in this area. There have been two given reasons by Garth Reynolds for the area choice, firstly his relation in Birmingham, Joseph Sykes who ran timber yards, secondly the central location for distribution to the country, which prompted Reynolds move from Dorset. Whenever any restrictions upon the control of timber were loosened, Joseph Sykes, Arthur Reynolds cousin would ring him straight away to inform him so he could obtain as much timber as legally possible. Initially he made furniture in Bromsgrove and Halesowen but finally found what he was looking for in Ludlow and set his business there. At the height of Reynolds of Ludlow’s production during the late 1950s and early 1960s, they employed 18 people in the company.
Arthur Reynolds exhibited in 1951 at the Festival of Britain Exhibition in the House and Garden Pavilion. His market aim was the middle to upper classes due to the cost of the furniture being produced. The firm also supplied some prestigious retailers like Heals, Dunns and won prestigious contracts e.g. GEC boardroom, Leicester University Hall and chairs for Southall Minster, all having the same market aim as their antique furniture. As the major driving force behind the firm, it was a major loss when Arthur Reynolds died suddenly after a short illness in 1960.
Price The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 12/DEC/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. SOLD
Dimensions36 inches wide
39 1/8 inches high
22 inches deep
Category Post 1940 Furniture
Date 1947-60
1950s Antiques Material Ash
Origin English
Maker Reynolds of Ludlow
Condition Good Condition
Item code as442a017
Status Sold
£0 
$0.00 
€0.00 
$
€
Conversion rates as of 12/DEC/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. SOLD
View all stock from
Mews Antiques
Private dealerBy appointment only
Droitwich Spa
Worcestershire
Tel : 01905 923702
Non UK callers : +44 1905 923702
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