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Gratus Bench by Joseph Robinson awarded Christopher Claxton Stevens Prize

The Furniture Makers' Company has announced Joseph Robinson as the winner of the prestigious Christopher Claxton Stevens Prize for his sculptural Gratus Bench, a triumph of craftsmanship and innovation in British bespoke furniture.

© The Furniture Makers' Company
From left to right: The Lord Mayor of London, Joseph Robinson and Master Debbie Johnson.

Awarded annually to the most outstanding piece granted a Bespoke Guild Mark in the previous 12 months, the Claxton Stevens Prize was presented to Robinson by the Rt Hon the Lord Mayor, Alderman Alastair King DL, and Master of The Furniture Makers' Company, Debbie Johnson, at the Installation Dinner held at Mansion House, London, on 12 April 2025.

Robinson's winning piece, the Gratus Bench, is a masterclass in form, material, and emotion. Sculpted from quarter-sawn Bog Oak, it features a flowing, continuous laminated structure comprising one hundred Bog Oak veneers, seamlessly forming the bench's backrest, arms and legs. This meticulous wooden composition is accented by hand-worked bronze detailing, elevating the design with subtle elegance. The bench's name, Gratus, comes from the Latin word for "grace" and "gratitude", and the piece is conceived to offer "moments of stillness to transitional spaces".

The Bespoke Guild Mark, under which the bench was recognised, celebrates 'excellence in design, materials, craftsmanship and function for one-off or limited-edition pieces.' Since its establishment in 1958, it has become the furniture industry's highest recognition for designer-makers in the UK.

Joseph Robinson, a graduate of Robinson House Studio and now based in St Leonards-on-Sea, is known for drawing deep inspiration from nature. His work consistently explores 'artistic function and storytelling through form and material,' with a particular sensitivity to texture, structure and 'the quiet intelligence of nature.'

Reflecting on his win, Robinson remarked:
'Winning the Christopher Claxton Stevens Award for my first project is an incredible milestone, I'm proud of the recognition and excited for what's ahead.'

Daniel Hopwood, chairman of the Bespoke Guild Mark committee, praised the bench's emotional resonance and structural poetry: 'The Gratus Bench is a poetic design that encourages the user to pause and appreciate. Joseph's understanding of material and form is remarkable, and the result is a piece that balances elegance with meaning. A truly worthy recipient of this year's Claxton Stevens Prize.'

The award not only celebrates Robinson's talent but also underscores a wider movement in the furniture and interiors sector towards storytelling, craftsmanship, and emotional connection through material. In a marketplace increasingly driven by authenticity and meaning, Gratus stands as a bold and beautiful reflection of the values shaping the future of bespoke interiors.

More information:
The Furniture Makers' Company
hello@furnituremakers.org.uk
www.furnituremakers.org.uk

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