Project

Creating reproduction 16th and 17th century furniture for Knole

A pattern with swirls and waves carved into a piece of wood, with carving tools laying on top of the piece of wood. — Carving panels for the 17th century reproduction settle for Knole | © Jim Patrick and Tom Buchanan

In 2024 we commissioned Wood Carving London to make a reproduction of a 17th century ‘settle’. Find out how the project, which also included a reproduction of a 16th century cassone, came together.

The reproduction 17th century settle

In early 2024 we commissioned Wood Carving London to make a reproduction of a 17th century ‘settle’. A settle is a wooden bench with a high back and arms, typically with a box or chest incorporated under the hinged seat. The high back, occasionally with wings at either end, would protect the user from draughts, so settles were most often positioned near the fireplace in grand living rooms.

The previous settle, along with three other pieces of carved furniture had been situated in the Outer Wicket, the area just inside the main entrance gate to Knole House. Although under cover, the furniture had been outside for decades and was no longer looking its best. A conservation report from 2006 also found the settle had woodworm and signs of rot in the lower legs. To preserve the historic pieces, we decided to move them into storage and have a full reproduction set made.

Creating the settle

Early 2024

Information gathering

Jim Patrick and Tom Buchanan from Wood Carving London visited Knole to take extensive photographs and measurements of the original settle, gathering all the technical information they required. The reproduction needed to be as close to the original as possible, which meant studying the construction meticulously to figure out all the hidden joints. They found with the panelling for example, that the horizontal rails had chamfers (or dusting-splays) that went straight through the joints with the vertical stiles, so the shoulder of the tenons needed to lap over at a 45 degree angle.

The completed settle is now in the Outer Wicket at Knole and provides a place for visitors to sit and admire their surroundings.

A large wooden bench painted in very dark blue, almost black paint. It is on a stone floor. There are carved patterns on the chest. — The finished reproduction settle in the Outer Wicket at Knole | © National Trust/J Charman

The reproduction 16th century cassone

Sitting opposite the settle in the Outer Wicket is a reproduction of a 16th century Italian cassone, or marriage chest. The original cassone dated to approximately 1580. The task of recreating the cassone was undertaken by Max Reynolds as his graduate piece whilst studying for a Historic Ornamental Woodcarving and Gilding BA at City and Guilds of London Art School.

The decorative carved elements of the cassone are made from English air-dried oak, and the joinery is made from French Oak. During the reproduction process Max decided to restore some missing and modified features from the original design, including the lion's paw feet and the bands of decorative strapwork connecting the lower central scroll to the rest of the panel. As with the settle, the cassone was finished with 'Knole Blue' paint.