Marc Fish’s Vortex table awarded Christopher Claxton Stevens Prize for Excellence

The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, has awarded bespoke furniture maker Marc Fish the prestigious Christopher Claxton Stevens Prize – the ultimate accolade for designer-makers – for his striking Vortex dining table.

The Claxton Stevens Prize is presented annually to the most outstanding design awarded a Bespoke Guild Mark by the Company, which recognises excellence in design, materials, craftsmanship and function for exquisite pieces of furniture.

This year four extraordinary pieces were considered for the Claxton Stevens Prize, but Marc’s whirlpool-inspired table was chosen by the judging panel.

The table was crafted using Marc’s signature technique of combining laminated veneers with resin, which was then hand-carved and polished. The base was made with 2,000 individual veneers, hand placed and dyed with squid ink, and reinforced carbon fibre, while the top utilised 130kg of resin.

When the table is viewed from above, the resin distorts the veneers underneath, and resembles an image of sand dunes. The top of the table is similar to an optical illusion as it looks as if it dips in the middle, but is actually flat.

Marc was presented the prize by the Lord Mayor of London Alderman Peter Estlin at the Installation Dinner of The Furniture Makers’ Company’s new Master, Dids Macdonald OBE, on Tuesday 14 May at Mansion House in London.

Dids Macdonald OBE, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, said: “Through his ground-breaking challenges to traditionalism, Marc produces pieces that are not only remarkable in their originality but push boundaries of expression. He fuses fine craftsmanship into unique and elegantly produced furniture that makes him stand out from the rest. The Vortex table is one of the finest pieces he has produced and a more than worthy recipient of the coveted Claxton Stevens Prize.”

Commenting on the award, Marc Fish said: “I am honoured to be the recipient of this year’s Claxton Stevens Prize for the best Bespoke Guild Mark of 2019. The Vortex table was an exciting piece to work on as it allowed us to push boundaries and experiment with techniques, and it’s great to see that kind of work being recognised. There are so many new techniques to discover and a lot we can learn as we keep making and designing.”

Christopher Claxton Stevens, sponsor of the prize, said: “The judging panel all agreed that Mark’s sheer bravado and inventiveness in design and execution made his table stand out from the other entries. It was attractive in form and proportion, the top appearing to ‘pour’ inwards towards the centre when in fact it was actually flat and functional. Marc boldly experimented with new materials which worked out really successfully.”