Our craftsmen
The quality of craftsmanship of the eighteenth century, the ‘Golden Age of Fine Furniture Design’, has always been the inspiration of Arthur Brett. Throughout the long history of the company, which dates back originally to 1870, its craftsmen have led fine furniture manufacturing in standards of design and construction. Arthur Brett is acclaimed worldwide as setting the highest standards of authenticity, design and craftsmanship for discerning customers who seek the very best.
Five generations of the Brett family have been involved in the furniture business since 1815 when John Brett was born in Norfolk, England. John was a modest chairmaker, but his son Jonathan T Brett, established a family business around 1870.With the help of his six sons, he built a considerable manufacturing and retailing business in Norwich. His third son, Arthur, showed an early interest in antiques and fine reproductions. After Jonathan’s death in 1921, the old firm of J Brett & Sons was divided between his sons, including Arthur who was already established in Norwich. Arthur’s son Frank Brett, was the driving force behind the rebuilding and expansion of Arthur Brett & Sons in the vital post-war period, establishing the company as a top quality manufacturer of fin English furniture. This enthusiastic attitude has been continued by the present Managing Director, David Salmon who’s expertise in fine bespoke English furniture is unsurpassed with over 30 years experience.
The many skills which are needed to complete each piece of furniture have been handed down for more than a century at Arthur Brett. Today, gifted young craftsmen are trained under the company’s own apprenticeship scheme, and thus the skills of the older master craftsmen are passed on to the younger generations.
Meticulous attention to detail is evident in each piece of furniture. Veneers and timbers are carefully chosen, however long the search for the perfect piece. Specialised brassware is cast to ensure that even the smallest detail on the handle or a castor is equal to the best of the 18th century. Attention to detail is the company’s watchword, with elaborate inlays of exotic woods featuring on many pieces, from extensive stocks of rare materials.
Arthur Brett’s policy is to purchase any tropical timber used in our products only from areas where there is controlled selective logging, replanting, and good forest management. Arthur Brett also supports Woodland Heritage, a registered charity dedicated to increasing woodland areas in the UK by tree planting projects.
From Norwich, Arthur Brett furniture is exported to over 25 countries. For UK buyers, there is an impressive London showroom situated in the heart of Belgravia, and open to both interior design professionals and private customers.
