John Ayres Hatfield founded his company in 1834, referring to himself as a ‘bronzist.’ one of only a handful in London in the nineteenth century. By 1850 the company was working at Windsor Castle and described as ‘J. Hatfield, Bronze & Ormolu Manufacturer, Groups-Statues…and all kinds of Works of Art from Models, Designs or Originals cast and executed to the Antique.’ In 1882 the firm was granted a Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria. Later the Hatfield family was given an apartment in the Louvre and employed to work on the bronzes there.

The company today continues to produce bronze, ormolu and brass objects and specialise in working with brass marquetry (boulle) and its care and cleaning. The team consists of cabinet makers, conservators and polishers with a lacquer worker, gilder and an upholsterer.

COST: £28 (INCLUDING TEA/COFFEE)

LIMIT: 15

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