Find out more about our remarkable collection of over 3000 reverse-carved moulds which we use to make many of our frames. Dating back to c1760, it is regarded by Tate as of 'National importance to the history of frame making in Britain'.
Operating from Bloomsbury, in the heart of London's literary and artistic community from 1837, the area where many innovators were to flourish including The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, founded in Gower Street in 1848, William Morris's Firm, established in Queen Square in 1865 and the first female successful interior design business which Agnes and Rhoda Garrett ran from their home in Gower Street from 1875.
The historically important 'Bloomsbury Collection' is an exquisite collection of quintessentially English period carved moulds used to decorate and embellish frames and furniture. It is considered the only company of its type to have continuously traded since 1837.
The Binning family established their framing company in 1837. It would later become known as the 'Bloomsbury Frameworks'.
The collection of fine reverse-carved moulds, at the heart of the company, was continuously added to over time to create an extensive and culturally significant library. It includes beautiful running patterns, scrolls, crests, swags, armorials and figures, with some dating back to c1760.
Time honoured techniques, craftsmanship and expertise were passed from father to son, spanning three centuries. The unique skills, acquired over generations to create exceptional frames, became synonymous with the company. The last family owner was Peter Binning (1936-2005).
The company passed to Joseph McCarthy in 2005.
Joseph McCarthy worked closely with Peter Binning, for many years, exchanging ideas and sharing a passion for detail and design. Following Peter's death in 2005, the firm was incorporated into Joseph McCarthy (Mirror & Frame Makers). This move ensured the Bloomsbury Collection was kept together in line with the family's wishes and would continue to be inspirational in creating exquisite frames.
The collection is housed at our Tunbridge Wells showroom and workshops where we select the individual patterns needed to create the authentic decoration on our ornamented frames. In this way we continue to offer unlimited options for decoration and embellishment in our bespoke designs and always welcome the opportunity to create new and innovative designs for our clients.
The Bloomsbury collection is the only unbroken large-scale collection of its kind, and is viewed by Tate as of 'of extraordinary cultural significance' and of 'National importance to the history of frame making in Britain'.
We worked closely with Tate on the re-framing of Constable's 'Salisbury Cathedral' (1831) using authentic period carvings from our collection. We are honoured to continue this legacy and enjoy collaborations with a number of national institutions which include Tate, The National Trust, Sir John Soane's Museum and The Wallace Collection to restore and reproduce frames for their artworks.
The Bloomsbury Collection is a fundamental part of many of our designs.
We pride ourselves on the personalised nature of our work and the extent of the archive means that we can offer our clients unlimited options to customise existing styles or create a completely bespoke mirror design.
Whether you are looking for a showstopping overmantel mirror or an elegant lacework mirror for a bathroom you can be assured of the authentic heritage and traditional craftsmanship that underlines every piece we produce.
Knowing the criteria that influences good mirror design makes all the difference.
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