Collectors the world over consider furniture maker Edward Barnsley one of the most influential figures in British design. Bringing his own touch to the local standard of crafting, Barnsley worked with rare hardwoods, such as rosewood and black bean, as well the staples of the Arts and Crafts style, like oak and walnut. His use of fine lines, delicate curves and detailed inlays set his work apart from that of his predecessors.
From Hampshire County, England, Barnsley was practically born to be a furniture maker. His father, Sydney, uncle Ernest and a family friend all practiced the craft and were strong influences on young Edward. At 10, he enrolled in Bedales, a progressive school focusing on practical skills and craftwork.
In 1920, after completing his studies, Barnsley returned to Hampshire and began employment at the workshop of local furniture maker and construction carpenter Geoffrey Lupton. In 1923, Lupton turned over his furniture workshop and client list to Barnsley. When his father died in 1926, Barnsley inherited his father's customers as well.
Barnsley employed numerous craftspeople and laborers — including the notable British furniture maker Alan Peters — increasing production immeasurably beyond that of his predecessors. The workshop created more than 7,000 individual works over the course of his leadership.
When electricity arrived to the shop in 1955, Barnsley was apprehensive about overutilizing mechanical means of production, believing the craftsperson's skill vital to making each piece a success. However, using machines to plane and sand the wood quickly became commonplace at the workshop, helping to boost production significantly.
Throughout his career, Barnsley often took the time to lecture at Loughborough College, passing on his wisdom and understanding of his craft to the next generation. He was also a founding member of the Crafts Council of England, and in 1945, received the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
After Barnsley died in 1987, his widow and children gave substantial contributions to the workshop, helping to ensure its financial security for the future. Although Edward Barnsley is gone, the Edward Barnsley Workshop lives on — crafting outstanding furniture with the same level of perfection and vision as its namesake.
On 1stDibs, explore antique Edward Barnsley seating, case pieces and decorative objects.
An Important Breakfront Bookcase/Cabinet designed by E Barnsley, Exhibited 1982.
By Edward Barnsley, Charles Bray
Located in London, GB
An important Cotswold School walnut breakfront glazed bookcase/cabinet designed by Edward Barnsley, and made by Charles Bray, dated 1932. Provenance Mrs D.E. Neale, commissioned in...
Ebony, Walnut, Bog Wood
Rare Cotswold School Side Table By Edward Barnsley
By Edward Barnsley
Located in Petworth, GB
Rare Cotswold School 2 tier walnut side table Ebony and holly raised chequered inlay decoration Single figured plank top Circa 1925 Height 64cm. Length 59 cm. Depth 42cm
Ebony, Walnut, Holly
Rare Cotswold School Side Table By Edward Barnsley
By Edward Barnsley
Located in Petworth, GB
Rare Cotswold School 2 tier walnut side table Ebony and holly raised chequered inlay decoration Single figured plank top Circa 1925 Height 64cm. Length 59 cm. Depth 42cm
Ebony, Walnut, Holly
Edward Barnsley, a Pair of Arts & Crafts Oak Candlesticks with Spider Web Bases
By Edward Barnsley
Located in London, GB
Edward Barnsley stamped signature to the base. A pair of Arts & Crafts oak candlesticks with brass drip-trays, octagonal stems and spider web style bases.
Oak
Edward Barnsley. A Cotswold School walnut stool with the original tapestry seat.
By Edward Barnsley
Located in London, GB
Edward Barnsley. A Cotswold School Arts & Crafts handmade Walnut stool retaining the original tapestry seat. Stamped Barnsley under the seat.
Walnut
Edward Barnsley. Commissioned by G H J Morris An Arts & Crafts Cotswold armchair
By Edward Barnsley
Located in London, GB
Edward Barnsley. Commissioned by G H J Morris An Arts and Crafts armchair with beautifully made organic curvaceous sculptured arms, he certainly put a lot of love and thought into th...
Oak
The Original Swing-Out Seat with Ipe
By Get Back, Inc.
Located in Oakville, CT
***The ipe seats are made from one solid piece and they will weather from outdoor elements. There may be fading or minor checking and while most clients prefer the natural patina, the seats can be periodically coated to add additional protection*** Cast iron swing...
Iron
Rare Ragno Glass Side Table by Fiam
By Vittorio Livi, FIAM
Located in Chicago, IL
Ragno or Spider side table by Fiam. Shaped top on 3 curved legs, designed by Vitorrio Livi, Made in Italy, 17.5H x 17.5W.
Glass
French Arts & Crafts Turned Armchair, 19th C.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A distinctive 19th-century French Arts & Crafts turned-wood armchair featuring an impressive ladderback design with horizontal splats, each terminating in gracefully shaped, scallope...
Fabric, Wood
$6,000 / set
H 15.5 in W 16 in D 16 in
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Square Stools with Cream Upholstered Seat
Located in New York, NY
An Italian pair of walnut square stools with block feet and a thick upholstered seat in Italian cream cotton. Italy, circa 1960 Size: 15 1/2" high x 16" square
Fabric, Walnut
Edwardian Breakfront Bookcase of Mahogany from England
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English breakfront open bookcase of mahogany from the Edwardian era, featuring a frieze of three sections, with molded cornice and decorative beaded accents, the interior with...
Metal
$3,500 / item
H 15.5 in W 17.5 in D 17.5 in
Rooted Walnut And Spalted Maple Stool With Square Upholstered Seat
By Brett Paulin
Located in Toronto, Ontario
The Rooted stool stands resolute and unyielding in its design. It harmoniously combines the rich textures of silver maple and walnut, their unique grains weaving a captivating story ...
Fabric, Maple, Walnut
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Morris" Armchairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of rare and unusual Edward Wormley for Dunbar adjustable back lounge chairs. Known as "Morris" chairs they allow for 3 positions-l...
Mahogany
$3,995Sale Price|20% Off
H 92.25 in W 72.25 in D 17.5 in
Grand Georgian Style Solid Oak Baker China Cabinet Bookcase Breakfront
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This grand Georgian style solid oak Baker china cabinet bookcase breakfront is a striking example of timeless craftsmanship and refined design. Constructed from richly grained solid ...
Oak
$955Sale Price|41% Off
H 38.98 in W 23.23 in D 21.46 in
English Arts & Crafts “Quaint” Rush Seated Armchair
Located in Norwich, England
A stylish English Arts and Crafts 'quaint' beech and fruitwood rush-seated armchair, with waved and pierced design splat. Probably made in High Wycombe. Circa 1900. *Free delivery f...
Rush, Beech, Fruitwood
Victorian Carved Walnut stool / Window seat
By Maple & Co.
Located in Dereham, GB
Late Victorian Carved Walnut duet stool / window seat, In the Hepplewhite manner, circa 1880s Upholstered seat with needlepoint material, D shaped ends, Carved detail around frame,...
Walnut
Arts & Crafts Armchair
Located in London, GB
A handsome Arts & Crafts armchair of beautiful proportions. 91cm tall, 59cm wide, 47cm deep. C1890, England.
Wicker, Wood
$2,902
H 29.93 in W 20.08 in D 15.95 in
1930s English Cotswold School Walnut & Ebony Side Table With Drawer
Located in Norwich, England
Cotswold School walnut side table with drawer having ebony handles. After Peter Waals. Circa 1930s. Beautifully crafted from solid African walnut, with exposed tenons to the double ...
Ebony, Walnut
Rare Cotswold School Side Table By Edward Barnsley
By Edward Barnsley
Located in Petworth, GB
Rare Cotswold School 2 tier walnut side table Ebony and holly raised chequered inlay decoration Single figured plank top Circa 1925 Height 64cm. Length 59 cm. Depth 42cm
Ebony, Walnut, Holly
Sold
H 19.69 in W 59.45 in D 2.56 in
Edward Barnsley. An exceptional Arts & Crafts handmade walnut landscape mirror
By Edward Barnsley
Located in London, GB
Edward Barnsley. An exceptional Arts and Crafts handmade Walnut landscape mirror inset with circular decoration to the mirror edges and a raised border inlaid with stained sycamore a...
Walnut
Cotswolds School walnut table by Edward Barnsley
By Edward Barnsley
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Fine Arts & Crafts Movement Cotswolds School English walnut occasional table by Edward Barnsley circa 1930. The table has a beautiful well figured solid walnut top and typical featur...
Walnut
Sold
H 22.05 in W 54.93 in D 22.29 in
Edward Barnsley. A Cotswold School Arts & Crafts oak coffee table U shaped base
By Edward Barnsley
Located in London, GB
Edward Barnsley. A Cotswold School Arts & Crafts oak coffee table with U shaped base. A quality table with through tenon and pegged construction.
Oak
Sold
H 22.05 in W 54.93 in D 22.29 in
A Cotswold School Arts & Crafts oak coffee table with U shaped base.
By Edward Barnsley
Located in London, GB
Edward Barnsley. A Cotswold School Arts & Crafts oak coffee table with U shaped base.
Oak
Seventies Cherrywood Settee By Edward Barnsley
By Edward Barnsley
Located in Petworth, GB
Seventies cherrywood 2 seater settee By Edward Barnsley Circa 1979 with original receipt Re-upholstered in Edinburgh Weavers fabric ‘Kabadi” Designed by John Wright 1968 - jacquard weave rayon and cotton Circa 1979 with original receipt Edward Barnsley (1900-1987) was one of the most influential British furniture makers from the twentieth century. His father was Sidney Barnsley and together with his uncle Ernest and their friend Ernest Gimson, they established their practice in the Cotswolds, inspired by the ideology of William Morris and are recognised today as key figures in the Arts & Crafts Movement. James Morton...
Jacquard, Cherry
Sold
H 33.5 in W 17 in D 17 in
E Barnsley for the Rural Industries Bureau Six Arts & Crafts oak dining chairs
By Edward Barnsley
Located in London, GB
Edward Barnsley for the Rural Industries Bureau. A set of six oak Arts & Crafts style dining chairs with chamfered details to the backs and carved Acorns to the legs with leather dro...
Oak
Sold
H 18.9 in W 17.92 in D 12.6 in
Very Rare Original King George VI Coronation Stool 1937 Limed Oak by Maple & Co
By Edward Barnsley, Maple & Co.
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original 1937 fully stamped King George VI Coronation stool made in limed oak by Maple & Co A highly collectable piece in sublime...
Upholstery, Oak
Sold
H 18.9 in W 18.9 in D 12.8 in
Rare Original King George vi Coronation Stool 1937 Limed Oak by Waring & Gillow
By Waring & Gillow, Edward Barnsley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original 1937 fully stamped King George VI Coronation stool made in limed oak by Waring & Gillow Please note the delivery fee lis...
Velvet, Oak
Sold
H 26 in W 30 in D 13.6 in
Edward Barnsley, Sycamore and Hollywood Inlaid Table with Serpentine Stretcher
By Edward Barnsley
Located in London, GB
Edward Barnsley workshop, a fine sycamore and holly wood inlaid writing or side table with a shaped top and brass crescent shaped handles and an inlaid escutcheon plate. Stood on fiv...
Sycamore, Holly
Edward Barnsley, An Arts & Crafts Oak Two-Tier Circular Coffee or Side Table
By Edward Barnsley
Located in London, GB
Edward Barnsley. A rare handmade Arts & Crafts oak two tier circular coffee or side table. Stamped 'Barnsley' underneath in two places.
Oak
Sold
H 53 in W 33.5 in D 17 in
Edward Barnsley, An Arts & Crafts Cotswold School Handmade Walnut Dressing Table
By Edward Barnsley
Located in London, GB
Edward Barnsley. An Arts & Crafts Cotswold School handmade walnut dressing table, with through tenon joints and exposed dovetail details to the sides, stood on sledge style feet.
Walnut