Press Releases

Welsh furniture: A new story

The result of 16 years research by author Richard Bebb, ‘Welsh Furniture 1250 – 1950, A Cultural History of Craftsmanship and Design’ - published by Saer Books and produced with the assistance of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales and Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – National Library of Wales - was officially launched at St Fagans: National History Museum on Friday, 15 June 2007.

Over 1,500 illustrations and 750 pages tell the story of Welsh furniture and its development over a broad period of 700 years as Dr Eurwyn William, Director of Collections & Research and Deputy Director General, Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales explains in his foreword:

"Richard Bebb's work is a tour de force, and its breadth is astonishing. The time-scale studied is wider than the norm; by 450 years, and the story is brought up to 1950. But all this would have been meaningless if the author did not have a tale to tell. Rest assured, he does."

Recognised as the foremost authority on Welsh antique furniture, Richard Bebb examined personally thousands of pieces of furniture and hundreds of documents. The outcome is ‘Welsh Furniture 1250 - 1950, A Cultural History of Craftsmanship and Design' which is set to become a classic reference book for historians, craftsmen, those involved in furniture design and the decorative arts; antiques dealers, owners and collectors; and all those with an interest in Welsh culture.

Copies of the book can be purchased at any of Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales' shops and for further information on ‘Welsh Furniture 1250 - 1950, A Cultural History of Craftsmanship and Design' (ISBN 978-0-9553773-1-0) please visit www.welshfurniture.com.

Entry to all National Museum Wales - Amgueddfa Cymru sites is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales operates seven national museums across Wales.  These are National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans: National History Museum, National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, Blaenafon, National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre, National Slate Museum, Llanberis and the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales celebrates its centenary in 2007.  For more details go to the 07 pages on our website - www.museumwales.ac.uk.

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For further information or interview opportunities, please contact Catrin Mears, Communications Officer, tel: 029 2057 3486 or email catrin.mears@museumwales.ac.uk. Photographs of the author and of the book are available on request.