Scott Cunningham’s Furniture Graces Tudor Mansion

New Zealand-born furniture maker Scott Cunningham was an early contributor to assisting in the restoration of Holcombe, the “finest Tudor house in Devon”, under the ownership of Nigel Wiggins who had commissioned Cunningham in the 1990s to make furniture in London, John Goodall reports for Country Life magazine.

“The first sight of the building from the village street of Holcombe Rogus, set well back and framed in its gateway arch, is magnificent,” Goodall writes.

“Cunningham’s first pieces at Holcombe, which was built c. 1540, were for the state bed-chamber, including a massive oak bedstead and wardrobe. He also made the oak dining-room table with patinated zinc top, inspired by the bar tables at Quaglino’s restaurant, chandeliers of steel, brass and glass, and a Burges-inspired sideboard of oak, brass, suede and Purbeck marble for the Great Hall.

“Wiggins is clearly enjoying his project to transform Holcombe Court and its setting. ‘My privilege here at Holcombe,’ he explains ‘is to be able to give skilled artists, artisans and tradespeople some of the best work they will ever have.’”

Original article by John Goodall, Country Life, June 14, 2020.

Photo by Paul Highnam.