A remarkable dynasty of miniature artisans, started by Jan and Paul Brownhill, who created wonderful worn and homely copperware, food-preparation vignettes and convincingly messy kitchen scenes. Their granddaughter Laura Brownhill has now taken over, creating detailed scenes of birds pecking at abandoned fruit, butterfly domes, jars of tadpoles and all sorts of other intricate natural history scenes. We’ve been lucky enough to buy directly from Laura at shows, and are also hoping to build up our collection of her grandparents’ work, which will add realism and colour to our kitchen, laundry and servants’ quarters.
Paul sadly died in October 2021. You can also look at pages devoted specifically to each of the Brownhills: Paul and Laura.
Here are the works by Country Treasures in the Quartermaine Hall collection so far:
Pigeon
An inquisitively perky pigeon, by Laura Brownhill of Country Treasures (2023.012)
Selection of Six Wine Bottles
Six wine bottles, by Art of Mini, form the starting collection of the Quartermaine wine cellar (2023.014.1-6)
Mouse with Slice of Christmas Cake
A mouse has claimed the ultimate treat in this little vignette by Laura Brownhill of Country Treasures (2023.011)
Long Tailed Tit under a Glass Dome
Beautiful still life of a long-tailed tit and its nest by Laura Brownhill of Country Treasures (2023.010)
Egg Rack
A practical little egg rack for the kitchen by Laura Brownhill of Country Treasures (2022.240)
Six Copper Plates
Six warm copper plates by the late Paul Brownhill of Country Treasures (2022.165.1-6)
Butterfly Collecting Jar
This wonderful little collecting jar by Laura Brownhill of Country Treasures is full of detail right down to the holes in the lid
Copper Oval Platter
Simple oval platter made from copper by Paul Brownhill of Country Treasures (2022.070)
Blue Tits Under a Glass Dome
Delightful display of two birds under a glass dome by Laura Brownhill of Country Treasures (2022.085)
Two Fluted Copper Jelly Moulds
Pair of delicate fluted copper jelly moulds by Paul Brownhill of Country Treasures (2022.072 and 2022.073)
Copper Fish Kettle
Delightfully detailed vintage copper fish kettle by Paul Brownhill, formerly of Country Treasures (2022.071)
Butterfly Net
A beautiful butterfly net, ready for Felix’s expeditions, by Laura Brownhill of Country Treasures (2022.084)
Stool with Mice on Cheese
A couple of cheeky mice have discovered the cheese in this vignette by Laura Brownhill of Country Treasures (2022.086)
Domed Serving Platter
An elegant copper platter with domed cloche lid by Country Treasures (2022.045)
Open Copper Pan
An open copper pan for puddings or gratins by Country Treasures (2022.017)
Butterflies under a Glass Dome
This delicate scene of butterflies beneath a glass dome is by Laura Brownhill of Country Treasures
2021.049
Quartermaine Hall 