John Davenport Miniatures

The art of making miniature items of reproduction antique furniture is one that combines the skills of woodwork, marquetry and woodfinishing. Above all, however, it requires patience and care, since the finest techniques must be used at all times to achieve items that reflect the craftsmanship of the original.

The interest of John Davenport for the miniature pieces of furniture began in 1970, not so much as a cabinet maker but to restore furniture to a good condition and to become a collector.

Unfortunately, because of the prices set by the shops and at exhibitions, he abandoned all hope of enjoying that day. He decided that the solution was to make them himself.

He read documents at Museums about small pieces of furniture but decided that the solution was to make them something like one twelfth the size and create a new world of collectors of his small models. Nowadays they journey all countries to the exhibitions.

It was after about two years that he abandoned cabinet making and concentrated on his new activities.

Today, John’s small pieces have sold all over the world. He works the most of his time to order. Each of his pieces is signed and dated. They are photographed and the buyers are offered a guarantee of the quality of the special pieces.

His great pleasure rests however to create the same imagination with a new challenge.

The recipe of John’s success is his love of the work, well-done without hurrying, always using matured wood of high quality and dried for many years.