Inlaid Revolving Bookcase awarded Bespoke Guild Mark

Hugo Egleston has been awarded a prestigious Bespoke Guild Mark for his Inlaid Revolving Bookcase, making it the 479th piece in history to have been bestowed with the accolade.

The Bespoke Guild Mark, awarded by The Furniture Makers’ Company, is the ultimate honour for designer-makers, recognising excellence in design, materials, craftsmanship and function for exquisite pieces of furniture made as single items or a limited run of up to 12. It is awarded to beautifully crafted pieces of bespoke furniture and, since its launch in 1958, has been the apex of distinctions for UK designer-makers.

Intended to be placed in a room by a reading chair, the Inlaid Revolving Bookcase has a sandwich construction that allows books to be placed equally around the piece. The dimensions are carefully worked out to take most types of books, but also so that the scalloped and curved faces and edges of the bookcase harmonise with the circular base. The inlay and reeding are used to emphasise this as well as to add texture and interest. Made from English walnut, the bookcase’s beautiful veneers and solid lippings are carefully chosen to enhance the design.

Commenting on the award, Hugo said: “I am very pleased to have received a Bespoke Guild Mark for the Inlaid Walnut Revolving bookcase. It is very encouraging and affirming to myself, and to all my clients, to have all the flair, time and skill that goes into such pieces recognised in this way.” 

Daniel Hopwood, Bespoke Guild Mark chairman, said: “Hugo’s Inlaid Revolving Bookcase is an exemplary design and well worthy of a Bespoke Guild Mark. Made from exquisite English walnut, with a lot of the making carried out by hand, the construction and execution of the piece is extremely well considered. The size of the bookcase was ideal – it can store a lot of books while retaining its identity as a piece of furniture and not just a bookcase. There are some fantastic details and subtleties to the design that bring all the elements together congruously.”

Pieces awarded a Bespoke Guild Mark are recognisably items of quality and distinction, and to substantiate and promote this accolade, Bespoke Guild Mark holders receive a certificate of authentication, PR opportunities, permission to use the Bespoke Guild Mark branding in communication materials and automatic consideration for the annual Claxton Stevens Prize – a £1,000 prize awarded to the best Bespoke Guild Mark awarded piece of the year.

In addition to celebrating the creativity, skilled craftsmanship and technical ability of Britain’s established designer-makers who win an award, the Bespoke Guild Mark provides invaluable expertise and insight to unsuccessful applicants to further improve their craft for the future.