News

Bespoke Reproduction Mirrors Hansel Hendrix House Wilkinson

Bespoke Reproduction Mirrors for Handel & Hendrix House

Wilkinson was asked to create some special bespoke reproduction mirrors for a Ground Floor Parlour at Handel & Hendrix in London, a newly created museum in Brook Street, London which was the home of George Frederic Handel in the 18th century and Jimi Hendrix in the 20th century. The carved and gilded frames were expertly produced by our partner W. Thomas Restorations in Wimbledon, with hand bevelled and antique silvered mirror plates and sets of polished brass candle arms complete the look. To learn more about the property or to purchase tickets to visit this link.

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Wilkinson Move To Sittingbourne Chandelier Restoration Kent

Wilkinson Move to Sittingbourne

Just 4 years after moving into our new premises in rural Bredgar, Kent in 2010, Wilkinson has made the decision to move to Sittingbourne in Kent. We realised that we had almost run out of room in the coveted barn, despite the former swimming pool being converted into an underground bunker for glassware! More space was required in the workshops for storing and suspending chandeliers and lighting awaiting restoration. An industrial unit in nearby Sittingbourne town became available and the opportunity was taken to purchase the unit and add a mezzanine level to create a large area for items of lighting being stored with us on a long term basis

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Pantiles Arcade Displays Wilkinson Chandeliers Lighting Kent Tunbridge Wells

Pantiles Arcade in Tunbridge Wells Displays Wilkinson Chandeliers and Lighting

The Pantiles Arcade (located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent) is officially displaying chandeliers and lighting by Wilkinson. The new antique centre opened its doors to the public for the first time on 4th July 2021 in spectacular style with Eric Knowles of Antique Roadshow fame, hosting a charity day in aid of The Pickering Cancer Drop-in Centre. More commonly known as The Corn Exchange, the building was originally the site of a theatre later used for agricultural trading. It also hosted the £1.1million tourist attraction ‘A Day At The Wells’ from 1990 to 2004, which welcomed over 100,000 visitors a year in its heyday. The new antiques centre at the

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Carl Nordbruch Glassblowing Sittingbourne Kent Wilkinson

Carl Nordbruch Arrives in Sittingbourne

Carl Nordbruch, our glassblower for the last 20 years is now blowing glass at Wilkinson’s new glasshouse in Sittingbourne, Kent. Carl has over 30 years experience in the glass industry. Carl started his career at the Isle of White glass in 1987 before he went on to teach as a technical demonstrator at Wolverhampton University. Within a couple of years he decided to study for a masters degree at the Royal College of Art London, following on from this he began to blow glass at his own premises and for a short period working with Neil Wilkin before he then opened ‘The Glassblowers’ on the Isle of Wight. Throughout Carl’s

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Thornham Hall Chandelier Wilkinson Kent

The Thornham Hall Chandelier

Background The original Thornham Hall chandelier is widely acknowledged as one of the earliest examples of an English crystal chandelier. Thornham Hall was a large stately home in Suffolk in the east of England and it is understood that they acquired their crystal chandelier in 1732. There are two other similar examples of this chandelier, one is at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire and a larger two tier version can be found in the Chapel of Emmanuel College in Cambridge. The latter also acquired their chandelier as a gift in 1732. The Henniker family’s fortune dwindled in the 19th century and much of Thornham Hall was pulled down and the remainder

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Sidholme Music Room Chandelier Wilkinson Kent

Sidholme Music Room Chandelier Restorations

Wilkinson had the privilege to undertake the chandelier restoration process on seven chandeliers located in the Sidholme Music Room at Sidholme. Sidholme is a magnificent property located in Sidmouth, Devon (and known simply as ‘Sidholme’), and is the perfect example of Regency grandeur. Built in 1826 and former residence of the 6th Earl of Buckinghamshire and the 1st Viscount Cherwell, the building was purchased in 1931 by the Christian Guild and converted into a hotel that even today offers an inexpensive holiday location for Christians and non-Christians alike in its beautiful surroundings. One of the biggest draws to the hotel is the stunning Music Room which was added to the

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Europe's Tallest Chandelier Wilkinson Hythe Imperial Hotel Kent

Wilkinson Manufactures and Installs Europe’s Tallest Chandelier

The team at Wilkinson are pleased to announce details on how we helped manufacturer and install Europe’s tallest chandelier. Following hours of labour in our Kent workshop, our creation now hangs in its new home in the central staircase at Hythe Imperial based in Hythe, Kent. Designed, manufactured and installed by our skilled team we are delighted with the result and are sure it will be a real talking point at the hotel especially as it’s believed to be the tallest chandelier in Europe! Due to it’s unique size, it took three days for our skilled team to install the chandelier: The installation is lit by 48 internal lampholders each

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Thornham Hall Chandelier In Stock Wilkinson Kent

Antique Chandelier Restoration at Emmanuel College, Cambridge

Wilkinson are happy to announce that we have completed the restoration of an antique chandelier in the Chapel at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. Although we are specialists in restoring antique English chandeliers, it is rare that we get the opportunity to work on such exquisite examples as we did in the summer of 2017. We were contacted by Jeremy Caddick, the Reverend and Dean of Cambridge’s Emmanuel College following some unfortunate damage to their historic chandelier that was suspended in the Chapel. When David Wilkinson examined the chandelier at the Chapel, it was a relief to discover the arm that had been broken was a 20th century replacement – not an

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Perry Chandelier Restoration Manchester Assembly Rooms Wilkinson

Wilkinson Begins Restoration on Manchester Assembly Rooms’ Antique Perry Chandelier

The team at Wilkinson are happy to announce that we have begun restoration on an original antique Perry chandelier from Manchester Assembly Rooms. The chandelier is one of a pair that are being currently being restored by Wilkinson (however, it’s actually one of three) and were originally designed for use with gas. The chandelier has been adapted to hold wax candles with each of the five arms holding now holding candles and can be wired for electricity if required. Restoration works included the manufacture of new lead crystal pieces which were hand cut in our Kent glasshouse to replace any that had been damaged beyond repair or lost and turn

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The Restorers Home and Antique Magazine Wilkinson

Wilkinson to appear in ‘The Restorers’ for Home & Antiques Magazine

In early October, photographer Kasia Fiszer came to spend the day at Wilkinson to shoot for ‘The Restorers’ section in an upcoming edition of Home & Antiques Magazine. Our glasshouse welcomed Kasia as she popped by to observe the traditional processes we use to manufacture chandeliers in our Kent based factory as well as discussing with David Wilkinson the history behind the family business for an article that would feature in the December issue of Home & Antiques Magazine. In an interview, David reveals how we have been fortunate enough to have worked in some of the most prominent locations in the UK including Warwick Castle, The Lanesborough Hotel, Spencer

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Warwick Castle Chandelier Restoration Wilkinson

Warwick Castle Chandelier Restoration

A chandelier restoration was on the cards for the Wilkinson team spent in the late spring of 2016 as we restored and wired a chandelier from the State Dining Room of Warwick Castle. A service that we offer is chandelier restoration and with years of experience in this, we often get the opportunity to work on restoring some of the countries historical lighting. The room has seen visitors including George IV, Edward VII, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and today the State Dining Room is used for special events including weddings and continues to be used for impressive dinner parties. With so many people passing through the room every year

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Financial Times Weekend Article Wilkinson Kent

Financial Times Weekend Article

In February 2016 we were privileged to be asked if we would mind having an article written about us in the House & Home supplement of the Financial Times Weekend. It was a wonderful article about the history of glass and chandeliers as well as the history of our company written by Jonathan Foyle who David has had the pleasure of knowing for some years. Accompanying photographs show our skilled staff working in our Kent based factory as well as some of the chandeliers that we are able to produce. If you are a subscriber to the Financial Times Online you can read the Weekend Article online by clicking here.

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Components

Components that we supply include ceiling plates, cones, hooks, chain, bulbs, buttons and drops. If you do not see what you are looking for on our website make sure to contact us, as we may be able to source items that meet your needs

Opening Hours

Our office and workshop are open 7am – 5pm, Monday – Thursday and 7am – 3pm on Fridays. You are more than welcome to come visit us!

Newsletter Archive

Each month we keep you up to date with the latest news from Wilkinson Plc and the latest information from the world of glass.

Our History

If you would like to know more about our business please visit our history page, also learn more about the Royal Warrant that we hold or read about the fascinating history of Osler and Faraday.

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Please note that our office will be closed from 2:30PM on Tuesday 18th June until 9:00AM on Wednesday 19th June.