News

Large Gilded 19th Century Chandelier Restoration Wilkinson Kent

Large Gilded 19th Century Chandelier Restoration

Early in 2015, a large 19th century chandelier required our chandelier restoration service. We purchased a large 16 light brass chandelier from one of our independent polishers who had no need or desire for the chandelier. He believed that the piece had once hung at Cranbrook School in Kent but had since been removed and was looking a little tired (see image on right & before restoration). David Wilkinson decided to restore the chandelier by having it re-gilded as traditionally the finest chandeliers would have been gilded and there was evidence that this one previously gilded. The central stem was converted from a solid rod to a hollow tube for

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David Wilkinson Liveryman Kent

David Wilkinson Becomes A Liveryman

In a previous News article we told you how David Wilkinson had begun the process to become a Liveryman at the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers. On June 11th 2015, David was officially installed as a Liveryman in a wonderful ceremony that took place at Painters Hall, London. He was presented to the Master Gwen Rhys FRSA by The Clerk of the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers, Vincent Emms and was formally gowned for the occasion. Following his and several other Freemen’s installations as Liverymen of the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers, the group and their guests attended a traditional summer gathering at St James Garlickhythe Church. What followed was

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Lobmeyr Chandelier Restoration Wilkinson Kent

Lobmeyr Chandelier Restoration for The Royal Collection

In late 2014 and early 2015 we had the pleasure of undertaking a chandelier restoration on this magnificent and unique chandelier by Lobmeyr. The chandelier belongs to The Royal Collection and had been hanging at Osborne House for the last 150 years. It is thought that the chandelier was probably on display at The Great Exhibition in 1851, where it caught the eye of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The chandelier was restored to its optimum so that it could be displayed at The Queen’s Gallery in London as part of the Painting Paradise: The Art of the Garden exhibition, running from 20th March 2015 & 11th October 2015. It

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The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers of London

In late 2014, David Wilkinson began the process to become a Liveryman at the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers. The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers of London was granted a charter by King Charles II in 1664. The original purpose of the Livery was to regulate glass trade within London, to ensure quality and fair trade. Nowadays the Company’s objectives have moved to promoting the properties of glass in schools and helping with glass education projects in the City of London and elsewhere around the country. The company actively promotes the use of glass in arts, crafts, science and technology. At present our Company has around 200 Liverymen, a large

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Antique Perry Chandelier Restoration

This antique Perry chandelier restoration is just one of the most stunning pieces that we have available to purchase. It’s a 14 light antique Perry that we restored in our workshops and was previously in residence at The Haberdashers Company, Bassishaw, City of London, their previous hall having been destroyed in a fire following an air raid in 1940, they bought it from a dealer (probably Mrs Crick). However when they moved to a new property in West Smithfield in 2002 the chandelier was no longer considered suitable for the more modern building and was put into storage. Several years later the chandelier was bought out of storage to be

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2014 at Wilkinson Plc

A very busy and in many ways a successful year. One of our largest ever commissions was placed this year; to work on a project for a London based hotel for which we made over 50 chandeliers. This project is still ongoing, but following the business launch in early 2015 we hope to be able to bring you details and images of our work. Lanterns have been a popular addition to many properties this year with orders being placed for our traditional round lanterns, Culford lantern and adapted Windsor lantern and for a Kensington property looking for something far from traditional we created a unique ice cream sundae glass chandelier.

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Reginald "Arthur" Wilkinson – 29th October 1931 – 12th July 2014

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Reginald “Arthur” Wilkinson who died peacefully on Saturday 12th July following a short illness. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, who will remember him for the generous and loving man that he was as well as his many achievements within the glass industry. Arthur and his father began the glass tableware company R.Wilkinson & Son in 1947 at the age of 16 and together they worked on recreating cutting styles all but forgotten since the 1800s. When his father retired from the business in 1965, Arthur steered the business towards the reproduction of English chandeliers

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4 Generations of Wilkinson together

Between them they have almost 100 years experience running the family business that is Wilkinson Plc and this Bank Holiday weekend the generations of Wilkinsons came together. Pictured are David, Arthur, Baby Ethan and Jodie. Arthur joined the business back in 1947 when it was better known as R. Wilkinson & Son, working from a small workshop attached to the house alongside his father Reginald, they would sell their decorated glassware to department stores and tableware wholesalers. Over the years the business continued to develop and expand with Arthur retiring and leaving the business in the capable hands of his son in 1986. David joined the company in the summer

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Swarovski Wave Chandelier

Wilkinson pride themselves on taking on jobs that others cannot and earlier this year we were certainly requested to do this. A unique design created by David Wilkinson based on the clients specification, led to the design of a wave of Swarovski beads. 2 different sizes were commissioned, the smaller with dimension of 1200 x 600mm and the larger measuring 1800 x 1200mm. To produce the waves each bead was hand threaded and woven onto a wire frame which is backed onto a stainless steel reflector plate. Swarovski crystal is highly reflective and we used our latest LEDs to really make them sparkle. With 2 of each size required and

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Listed Heritage Article

We were honoured to be asked to write an article for the July/August issue of Listed Heritage Magazine. Listed Heritage is a guide to listed property ownership and contains examples of conversions and restoration projects, members letters, advice and information. Our article advises owners on the maintenance of their chandeliers for both aesthetic and safety reasons and explains how they can be so easily damaged, especially antique pieces that have been modernised. We also explain that when pieces are beyond repair we are able to make reproductions, using the beautiful chandelier we created for the Gdansk museum in Poland as an example. We are members of the Listed Property Owners

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The New Wilkinson Website

Welcome to our new website. The enhanced Portfolio section allows you to view a selection of fittings throughout the eras providing you with the details required to help you select your preferential design. In our new Stock section you can see a variety of items available for purchase and our redesigned Components menu contains many of the items you will require for self installation with additional items available from our eBay link. We have included lots of new material in our History and About Us pages with all you need to know about our family business. Our Services menu will guide you through the jobs that we can undertake and

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Blue Crystal Chandelier Suite

Working for the world renowned Paris based interior designer Alberto Pinto, Wilkinson recently completed a magnificent suite of three large Adam style chandeliers in blue lead crystal for one of their clients. Each chandelier, weighing in at 180 kg, has 24 lights arranged on 2 tiers with an additional 6 upper arms fitted with decorative triangular spikes. At over 2.8 metres tall and 1.8 metres diameter, they are the largest Adam style chandeliers ever made by the company and were accompanied by a set of 12 matching wall lights of equally impressive proportions. The work took a total of 18 months to complete.

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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.