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Furniture Makers commissions coat of arms carving
The Furniture Makers’ Company has commissioned one of its liveryman to carve a wooden coat of arms for the David Burbidge Suite at Furniture Makers’ Hall to mark the 100th meeting of its past masters’ committee.
The carving, which is being funded by past masters of the Company, will replace the current glass panel with vinyl coat of arms, which was installed as part of refurbishment work at the hall in 2016.
Georgy Metichian, a liveryman of the Company, was chosen from a crop of six highly skilled and experienced carvers by a selection panel to undertake the commission.
Georgy has worked with fine furniture maker Martin Grierson and carried out work for the National Gallery, National Trust, Westminster Abbey, St Albans Cathedral, the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula and many private commissions.
His craftsmanship is excellent and he is delighted and excited to have been selected by the Company to carve the Coat of Arms, which is registered with the College of Arms.
The shield will be crafted from ripple sycamore, left in its natural colour. The rest will be painted and gilded in the manner described by the College of Arms.
The coat of arms will hang against a new stud wall built in the centre of the window wall.
David Dewing, a past master of the Company and head of the project, said: “Georgy has carried out his own research into the drawing and specification of the coat of arms, taking advice from Thomas Woodcock, Garter King of the College of Arms. His proposal is to carve in lime, with inlaid bog oak for the three braces and bits and the lettering in the ribbon below.
“Georgy has now produced his own full-size drawing, procured suitable high-quality limewood, sycamore and bog oak, and has started work on the carving. The result will be a distinctive and beautifully executed work of English carving which reflects the values of our fine Company and will add to the elegance and stature of our Hall for many generations to come.”
The new crest is expected to be complete and ready to hang by December.