BPI manages sale of Mark Wilkinson OBE’s personal workshop
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
BPI, asset disposal specialists, were honoured to manage the sale of the personal workshop of Mark Wilkinson OBE, one of Britain’s most respected furniture designers and craftsmen.
The online auction comprised over 100 lots and offered a rare opportunity to acquire machinery and tools from a workshop shaped by decades of craftsmanship.
Mark Wilkinson was widely recognised as a visionary designer and master craftsman. He launched his first kitchen design in 1977, helping to pioneer the English country kitchen. He later co-founded Smallbone of Devizes and, in 1981, established Mark Wilkinson Furniture. Following the sale of the business in 2009, he remained closely involved as
Group Creative Director until his death. In 2010, he was awarded an OBE for services to the furniture industry and charity.
The workshop included a rare, restored Wadkin RU woodturning lathe alongside a carefully selected range of Wadkin and Paoloni machinery, specialist woodworking equipment, traditional hand tools, furniture and woodturning supplies.
Each item reflected a commitment to precision, longevity and performance.
The sale was managed by Richard Travis, Industrial Specialist at BPI, who worked closely with the Wilkinson family to ensure the process was handled with sensitivity and care. The focus was on presenting the workshop accurately and respectfully while reaching professional woodworkers, furniture makers and collectors worldwide.
The auction generated strong national and international interest, reflecting both the quality of the machinery and the significance of its provenance. The sale demonstrates how asset disposal can be delivered with professionalism, discretion and empathy, ensuring that Mark Wilkinson OBE’s tools continue their story around the world.
To watch a video case study of the sale, visit https://hubs.li/Q046k54W0 and for more information on BPI, see www.bpiauctions.com.
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