(d. 2022)
One of the giants of the miniature world, John Hodgson was referred to by the author Jean Nisbett as ‘The Master’. Inspired by a love of antique furniture, he started out by making miniature Chippendale-style pieces, especially chairs, which were always a particular interest for him. Now his catalogue includes all sorts of wonderful pieces, from console tables and chaises longues to torcheres, wall brackets and delicate picture frames.
His earliest pieces were hard-carved from wood, but in 1990 something happened that inspired him to develop a new way of working. This was an extraordinary commission to create an exhibition of miniatures for Hever Castle (Anne Boleyn’s childhood home). John’s work on the project took nine years and involved miniature rooms with extensive Tudor and Stuart-style carving, including work in the style of Grinling Gibbons. In order to help with the project, he developed a system of casting from his master carvings. After the Hever Castle exhibition was completed, this system was adopted for John’s creations for sale. It was at this time that he started to make the French-style furniture in which his firm now specialises.
After many years running the company with his wife Sue, John passed away in February 2022. However, his family intend to continue the business in his honour. Thanks to the casting system, they are still able to create the superb pieces in their catalogue. Sue is now helped by their two daughters, Ruthie Rogerson and Jess Cooper, both of whom joined the firm in 2021 and are keen to carry on the Hodgson family legacy. I’m really looking forward to seeing their stand at Kensington in the future, and hope to buy some of their glorious furniture for the grander rooms at Quartermaine Hall: the Drawing Room and Music Room chief among them.
Here are the works by John in the Quartermaine Hall collection so far:
Civil War Breastplate Displays
A pair of armour displays by master miniature-maker John Hodgson
Quartermaine Hall 