Quartermaine Hall

Artisan: Will Werson
Date: 2022
Intended Room: Entrance Hall
Dimensions: 43 x 74 x 40 mm; 1 ¾ x 2 ¾ x 1 ⅜ in. (height x width x depth)
Inventory number: TBC

With a Fortnum & Mason hamper, you can expect a truly superior kind of picnic. Of course the Quartermaines had to have one! When Will Werson, the doyenne of all things miniature and wicker, uploaded this (and its companion basket) on her Etsy page, I pounced quicker than you can say ‘cucumber sandwiches’. Will said that she had only finished it that morning and, since it was something slightly different from her usual work, she’d been hoping her followers would like it. No question of that! It is beautifully woven, complete with handles on the sides, and with leather straps and real little buckles to close it. Delicious.

I still have fond memories of a full-sized hamper Fortnum & Mason hamper that I bought from Ebay during my first term at university, considering it the ultimate accessory for an undergraduate’s room. It travelled around several homes with me, until I realised that, ultimately, it took up more space than it saved, and had to part with it. But the Quartermaines won’t have that problem. I’m not quite sure where this gorgeous piece will end up, but for now let’s plan to have it in the hallway, ready for the family’s next day out.