Wizardry in Wood 2004 was a unique exhibition held by the Worshipful Company of Turners of London to celebrate their 400th anniversary.

“The City”, London's financial district, is governed by the ancient Corporation of the City of London, headed by the Lord Mayor and two Sheriffs.  They are elected annually by the members of the 107 Livery Companies, most of which sprang from medieval guilds: tradesmen and craftsmen such as Fishmongers, Goldsmiths, Brewers, Barbers, who joined together to protect their livelihood and their fellows.  Many ancient Livery Companies still foster - and sometimes regulate - their Craft, and together with new Companies such as information Technologists, World Traders, Water Conservators, they support the City and raise over £40 million annually for charity.

In 1295 there was, in the City of London, a Turners’ Guild of craftsmen who turned on a lathe everyday necessities: goblets, platters, chairs, stools, measures.  Like other guilds, they controlled the trade in their wares in the City, with power to search for and destroy any turned item of inadequate standard, eg a vessel for measurement which either did not contain the stated amount, or lacked the mark of a Guild member.

In 1604 King James 1 of England (VI of Scotland) granted the Turners’ Guild a Charter of Incorporation, and in June 2004, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of their official existence, the Worshipful Company of Turners of London staged an exhibition, Wizardry in Wood 2004 , in the Hall of the Worshipful Company of Pewterers.

No longer do members of the Turners' Company prowl through the narrow alleys of the City of London on the lookout for inaccurate turned measures to smash.  Many of the members have little or no connection with turning, but all share a desire to promote their craft.  The Company founded and supports the Register of Professional Turners, whose members' work has been approved by a Company assessor.  It donates lathes to schools and colleges, awards bursaries and prizes, supports relevant charities, mounts competitions and exhibitions.

Wizardry in Wood 2004 was a wide-ranging exhibition of turning such as has never before been seen in Great Britain.  “A revelation!” said an amazed visitor, “I had no idea turning was so beautiful.  There’s a chess set I really want – I could use it as well as look at it.”   “A rare treat,” said another, stroking the bowl she had just bought from Bert Marsh, one of Britain’s top woodturners, “just feel this – it’s so smooth you’d think it was made of glass.  And it’s so fine you can see the light shine through it.”

The scope of the Wizardry in Wood 2004 exhibition was as comprehensive as impressive.  The history of the craft was shown through early toys and pieces of treen (small turned objects), belonging to and displayed by Stuart King, turner and historian of the craft; and by demonstrations on a pole lathe and modern lathes used for plain and ornamental work.  Stuart was present, demonstrating on a lathe made by him to a drawing of Leonardo da Vinci.  We believe that this was the first time a working lathe had been made from the drawing.  Stuart commented that placed upside down, the lathe resembled his design for a helicopter!  The resultant lathe certainly looked primitive and unwieldy, but it worked; Stuart producing in the middle of Pewterers' Hall some small bowls - and piles of shavings.  

Turn to Next Page