Antony and Simon Robinson are internationally recognised as the leading exponents in hand forging stainless steel.
Both public and private commissions are undertaken, from small bespoke artifacts such as cutlery, lighting and furniture to large scale works including entrances, sculpture and architectural metalwork.
Although specialising in stainless steel they also work in mild steel, Cor-Ten, copper, and bronze; providing design solutions to areas of architecture, interiors and open spaces, working closely with the client, architect and contractor.
Their work has its foundations in aesthetics and proportion, as well as proven engineering principles, the form always being complimentary with its function.
Location: Dudmaston Hall, Shropshire.
Description: Commissioned by Sir George and Lady Labouchere to commemorate their Ruby Wedding anniversary in 1983.
Dimensions: w. 3m, ht. 2.8m
Materials: Mild Steel, flame metallized, graphite finish, applied gold leaf.
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: The Great Hall, Winchester Castle.
Description: These innovative forged stainless steel gates and transom grilles were the winning design to commemorate the Royal Wedding of 1981. Made 1981 - 82 they are the first of their kind in the world. They exploit both the strength of the material and the versatility of the electric arc welding process. This work is considered a watershed in 20th Century forgework. In effect the design incorporates two sets of gates and grilles which link the 13th Century hall with the 20th Century Crown Court and Gallery.
Dimensions: w. 2.4m ht. 6m x2
Materials: Stainless Steel
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private collection
Description: Exhibited in the garden of the V & A Museum, "Towards a New Iron Age" in 1981. Designed and made by Antony Robinson. Glass by George Elliot.
Dimensions: ht. 3m
Materials: Mild steel, blown glass.
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private European client.
Description: Designed by Antony Robinson and made by Peter Crownshaw 1998.
Dimensions: ht. 1.5m x 50m
Materials: Stainless steel.
Copyright: © J. Hughes - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private European client.
Description: Unique stainless gates on a curved plan using remote control electro - hydraulic operation. Designed and made 1998 by Antony and Simon Robinson.
Dimensions: w. 6m ht. 3.5m
Materials: Stainless steel forged bar, angle section, woven mesh, raised sheetwork.
Copyright: © J. Hughes - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private European client.
Description: One of two peacock newel posts of a balustrade where the tail forms the handrail. Incorporates lighting.
Dimensions: ht. 3m
Materials: Stainless steel.
Copyright: © J. Hughes - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Swan Theatre, Stratford on Avon.
Description: Commissioned with the two wind vanes for the refurbishment of the Swan Theatre. The doorpulls are of hollow formed stainless sheet. Designed and made by Antony Robinson in 1986 he received the Civic Award for these works.
Dimensions: ht. 0.8m
Materials: Stainless steel.
Copyright: © Antony Robinson. - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Myddle, Shropshire.
Description: Commissioned by a private client as a birthday present for his wife. There are two water jets which emit from the mouths.
Dimensions: w. 2m ht. 2m
Materials: Stainless steel.
Copyright: © Simon Robinson. - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Staines. Middlesex.
Description: One of two swan archways at the entrance to a Thames side park. Each truss is of tapering triangular section curving in two planes. The brief included working with the children of Kingscroft County Junior school to design eight images of the town's history which were translated into stainless plaques fixed to each truss. Designed and made by Simon Robinson 200
Dimensions: w. 4m ht. 7m
Materials: Stainless Steel.
Copyright: © Simon Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private European client.
Description: This gate symbolises the triumph of the spirit. Made in 1996.
Dimensions: ht. 2m
Materials: Stainless steel.
Copyright: © J. Hughes - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private European client
Description: Designed and made by Antony Robinson with one arm for ease of access.
Dimensions: 2m
Materials: Stainless steel.
Copyright: © J. Hughes - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private European client.
Description: Designed by Antony Robinson to the client's request in 1998.
Dimensions: N / a
Materials: Stone, iroko, copper cladding, coloured glass, stainless steel.
Copyright: © J. Hughes - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private collection
Description: The original 1983 forged mild steel bowl from which a collection of unique and individually designed stainless steel vessels and dishes continues to grow.
Dimensions: 0.3m
Materials: Mild steel
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private European client.
Description: Stainless steel forged bar and angle section.
Dimensions: ht. 1.85m
Materials: Stainless steel.
Copyright: © J.Hughes - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private European client.
Description: Unique stair winder construction without supporting structure made possible by the use of stainless steel. Designed by Antony Robinson and made by Simon and Antony.
Dimensions: N / a.
Materials: Stainless steel.
Copyright: © J.Hughes - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private collection
Description: Made by Radovan Spicak from forging small offcuts of mild steel and welded to produce a double curved form. Designed by Antony Robinson.
Dimensions: w. 0.4m
Materials: Mild steel.
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private collection.
Description: Very much inspired by the Art Nouveau style this piece comes in two sections, one of mild steel the other of stainless steel, both interlock to form the overall candlestick. Designed and made by Antony.
Dimensions: ht. 0.35m
Materials: Stainless and mild steel.
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private collection.
Description: Inspired by plant forms using forged stainless sheet and scrap mild steel base. Designed and made by Simon Robinson.
Dimensions: ht. 0.85m
Materials: Stainless and mild steel.
Copyright: © Simon Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private collection.
Description: Forged from one piece of stainless steel plate. One of a series of vessels exploiting the use of partially cut plate.Designed and made by Simon Robinson.
Dimensions: 0.60m x 0.35m
Materials: Stainless steel.
Copyright: © Simon Robinson. - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private European client.
Description: Interior security door screen employing self closing and electronic locking. Designed by Antony and made by Simon Robinson 1999.
Dimensions: N / a
Materials: Stainless steel.
Copyright: © J.Hughes - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private American client.
Description: Example from a commissioned 48 piece cutlery set comprising 8 each off, knives, forks, dessert spoons, soup spoons, butter knives and teaspoons. Each piece individually forged, polished, signed and dated. Designed by Antony and made by Antony and Simon.
Dimensions: N / a.
Materials: Stainless steel.
Copyright: © Antony Robinson. - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private European client.
Description: Utilising coal / log effect gas fire grate. Lamp glass by Killian Schurmann.
Dimensions: ht. 2m approx.
Materials: Stainless steel.
Copyright: © J.Hughes - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private European client.
Description: Utilising coal / log effect gas fire grate. Glass panels by Killian Schurmann.
Dimensions: ht. 1.5m approx.
Materials: Stainless steel.
Copyright: © J.Hughes - All Rights Reserved.
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Location: Private collection
Description: Forged bowl (1st view)
Dimensions: 500mm Ln
Materials: Stainless steel
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
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Location:
Description: Forged bowl (2nd view)
Dimensions:
Materials:
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private collection
Description: Forged bowl (1st view)
Dimensions: 500mm Ln
Materials: Stainless steel
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private collection
Description: Forged bowl (2nd view)
Dimensions: 500mm Ln
Materials: Stainless steel
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private collection
Description: Forged bowl (Front view)
Dimensions: 400mm Ln
Materials: Stainless steel
Copyright: © Simon Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private collection
Description: Forged bowl (Back view)
Dimensions: 400mm Ln
Materials: Stainless steel
Copyright: © Simon Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private collection
Description: View from above
Dimensions: 600mm
Materials: Stainless steel
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location:
Description: Side view
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Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Switzerland, Private coll.
Description:
Dimensions: 500mm
Materials: Stainless and mild steel
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private colln.
Description: Forged sheet
Dimensions: 350mm x 350mm
Materials: Stainless steel
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private colln.
Description:
Dimensions: 450mm
Materials: Stainless steel
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private colln.
Description:
Dimensions: 550mm
Materials: Mild steel
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location:
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Copyright: © A & S Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
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Copyright: © A & S Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: St. Peter's Church, Wem, Shropshire.
Description: Representing two arms of the fallen who gave their lives in war, reaching to heaven. 1986.
Dimensions: ht. 2.5m
Materials: Mild steel, galvanized, graphite finish, polycarbonate.
Copyright: © Antony Robinson. - All Rights Reserved.
Location: St. Olaves & St. Saviours school, London.
Description: Altar crucifix representing the Holy Trinity using stainless steel hollow section. Commissioned for the new chapel at St. Olaves & St. Saviours School, Elephant & Castle, London, inaugurated by previous Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey.
Dimensions: ht. 0.50m
Materials: Stainless steel.
Copyright: © Simon Robinson. - All Rights Reserved.
Location: St. Olaves & St. Saviours school, London.
Description: One of two altar candlestands for the new chapel at St. Olaves & St. Saviours school, continuing the theme of the Trinity.
Dimensions: ht. 0.25m
Materials: Stainless steel.
Copyright: © Simon Robinson. - All Rights Reserved.
Location: For Sale.
Description: This collaborative work was designed by Antony Robinson for the Sagrada Familia Exhibition, Barcelona in 2003. The glass bowl was designed and made by Killian Schurmann, Dublin, stainless steel by Antony Robinson, hand carved stone plinth by Anthony Kleinberg, Llanelli, S.Wales, co - ordinated by John Hughes.
Dimensions: ht. 1.2m approx.
Materials: Stainless steel, glass, stone, leather.
Copyright: © J.Hughes. - All Rights Reserved.
Location: St. Andrews Church, Stanton, Shropshire.
Description: Designed and made by Simon Robinson in 1983 for the vicar of the church, sadly deceased. The corpus forged from a single piece of stainless steel sheet became the starting point for a series of corpuses using this technique.
Dimensions: ht. 1.3m
Materials: Stainless steel, oak, white sandstone.
Copyright: © Simon Robinson. - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Friedrichshafen, Germany.
Description: Stainless steel angle section and raised sheetwork, shown in the "Querschnitt" Exhibition, Friedrichshafen, Germany in 1997. Subsequently bought by the town by public subscriptions.
Dimensions: ht. 4.4m
Materials: Stainless steel.
Copyright: © Antony Robinson. - All Rights Reserved.
Location: St. Margaret's Church, Uxbridge, Middlesex.
Description: Forged mild steel life size crucifix representing the Passion of Christ. Commissioned by St. Margaret's Church, Uxbridge in 1986. Designed and made by Antony Robinson. Note: A copy of this crucifix was made for an exhibition in Neckarwestheim, Germany, which subsequently went missing. If anyone knows the whereabouts of this copy please contact Antony or Simon.
Dimensions: ht. 1.85m
Materials: Mild steel
Copyright: © Antony Robinson. - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Tewkesbury Abbey, Worcestershire.
Description: This expressive and moving figure is placed opposite the site of the former Lady Chapel. Designed and made by Antony.
Dimensions: ht. 2.5m
Materials: Stainless steel and scrap mlid steel.
Copyright: © Antony Robinson. - All Rights Reserved.
Location: St. Lawrence, Church Stretton, Shropshire.
Description: A simple exterior cross using pierced channel section.
Dimensions: ht. 4.5m
Materials: Mils steel, galvanized, graphite finish.
Copyright: © Antony Robinson. - All Rights Reserved.
Location: St. Margaret's, Uxbridge, Middlesex.
Description: Symbolising the new fire of Easter and the light of Christ.
Dimensions: ht. 1.5m
Materials: Mild steel.
Copyright: © Antony Robinson. - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private collection.
Description: One of an ongoing development of figures inspired by the Winged Victory of Samothrace, The Louvre, Paris. Designed and made by Antony in 1983.
Dimensions: ht. 0.60m
Materials: Stainless steel.
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Graf Zeppelinhaus, Friedrichshafen, Germany.
Description: This sculpture was inspired by Mahler's 2nd symphony. It symbolises the resurrection of the body at the end of time united with the soul for all eternity and has proven to be a comfort to many bereaved people.
Dimensions: ht. 9m
Materials: Stainless steel.
Copyright: © Antony Robinson. - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Thames House, Millbank, London.
Description: This three dimensional sculpture of the heraldic crest made in 1994 can be seen in the foyer of MI5, Millbank, London.
Dimensions: ht. 1.7m
Materials: Stainless steel
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: For sale. Price £24,000.00
Description: Designed in 2003 for the exhibition of lace in Agde, France.
Dimensions: ht. 1.5m
Materials: Stainless steel.
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private collection.
Description: Forged angle and I beam section bird designed by Antony and made by Radovan Spicak in 1991.
Dimensions: 5m wingspan
Materials: Mild steel, polychromatic finish.
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private collection .
Description: Stainless steel maquette in forged angle section and bar. The full sized sculpture (3m x 3m) was made by smithing teams over 3 days at the International Festival of the Sea masterclass by Antony Robinson.
Dimensions: 0.65m x 0.65m
Materials: Stainless steel.
Copyright: © Antony Robinson. - All Rights Reserved.
Location: For Sale. Price £20,000.00
Description: Titled "If only it were true", this piece was exhibited in Agde, France which has strong traditional links with the mermaid myths.
Dimensions: ht. 1.3m
Materials: Stainless steel.
Copyright: © Antony Robinson. - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Ironmasters House, Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
Description: Commissioned by a firm of accountants for the company foyer it symbolises financial growth.
Dimensions: ht. 2m
Materials: Stainless and mild steel.
Copyright: © Simon Robinson. - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Unknown!
Description: This Cor-ten sculpture titled "Creation" was exhibited at Coalbrookdale Museum, Shropshire in 1987 and was subsequently exhibited in Neckarwestheim, Germany. This sculpture 'went missing' at the German exhibition which bearing in mind the size, is extraordinary, along with a forged crucifix. If either of these pieces are known please contact Antony or Simon.
Dimensions: ht. 5.5m
Materials: Cor-ten
Copyright: © Antony Robinson. - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Exterior
Description: A truly innovative concept, these gates were designed for Kerry Packer's residence in Australia, but was never used. They were to be made in stainless steel and COR-TEN steel and to swing on one bearing and drive mechanism. The COR-TEN cantilevered base to each leaf supports the entire vertical section without any other attachment points. The gates to be operated by remote control.
Dimensions: 6m span
Materials: Stainless steel and COR-TEN steel
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: N/A
Description: The Mystic Gate was conceived as a spiritually symbolic work: The gateway to the life after death.
Dimensions: ht. 1.5m
Materials: Mild steel
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: N/A
Description: Designed for a public records office and research building, the screens symbolize modern methods of storage and retrieval of information.
Dimensions: Approx. 3.2 metre span
Materials: Mild steel
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private collection
Description: Forged from round bar mild steel, the Lindau gate was first shown at the Lindau Exhibition, Germany in 1980. Together with three companion designs of different characteristics, it symbolizes the basic structures of matter in the atom and the basic structure of man, the skeleton.
Dimensions: ht. 2m
Materials: Mild steel
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Ipswich Bus Station
Description: The Longship Screen at Ipswich bus station was made in mild steel plate, bar and rectangular hollow sections. Symbolizing both contemporary Suffolk and its colourful histroy, the mask at the centre, in stainless steel, is modeled on the bronze helmet found in the Sutton Hoo Treasure and now seen in the British Museum.
Dimensions: w. 2.5m ht. 2.1m
Materials: Mild steel, Stainless steel
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Canterbury
Description: A guide to the form. Water; falls and runs over sculpture
Dimensions: 4m approx.
Materials: Stainless Steel Tube-Sheet-Links
Copyright: © Anthony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: N /a.
Description: Unused gate design for a garden terrace representing the germination of a seed.
Dimensions: w. 1.2m ht. 2m
Materials: Stainless steel.
Copyright: © Antony Robinson. - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Interior.
Description: Competition entry for the entrance from the metalwork to musical instrument galleries in the V & A Museum, London.
Dimensions: 3m x 3m approx.
Materials: stainless steel , bronze, mild steel.
Copyright: © Antony Robinson. - All Rights Reserved.
Location: N / a.
Description: Unused gate design for motor museum entrance.
Dimensions: w. 6m
Materials: Stainless steel.
Copyright: © Antony Robinson - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Ironbridge, Shropshire
Description: Design for traffic roundabout sculpture in Ironbridge, representing the resurgence of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums.The idea was dropped in favour of planting a tree.
Dimensions: ht. 4m
Materials: Cor-ten and stainless steel.
Copyright: © Antony Robinson. - All Rights Reserved.
Location: Private collection.
Description: Small sculpture of a couple coming together in a loving embrace.
Dimensions: ht.0.5m
Materials: Stainless steel.
Copyright: © Antony Robinson. - All Rights Reserved.
Antony started forging stainless steel in the late 1960's and has become the world's leading exponent in this field.
Using 304 grade (steel / nickel / chromium) for a great amount of work inside and out and 316 grade (steel / nickle / chromium / molybdenum) for areas where greater strength or corrosion resistance is required.
This material has the advantages of strength, endurance and no maintenance. Its ability to pick up the surrounding colours unifies the work to its environment.
All exterior work is pickled, passivated and electro polished and all interior work is hand polished.
Although specialising in stainless steel they also use mild steel, Cor-Ten, copper and bronze according to the client's brief.
Each commission is designed with both the client's personal taste and the specific site in mind.
Major factors in the design are proportion and good engineering principles, combined with movement and longevity.
Throughout the whole design process, they work closely with the client, architect or contractor.
There is really no limit to what can be designed and made. Generally work falls into architecture and sculpture, but also cutlery, jewellery, ecclesiastical and building design, providing design solutions to most areas of our living space.
This may not always be possible, but occasionally places are available.
Acquired 'The Fire Imp", the first piece of contemporary metalwork for the Metalwork Gallery. Subsequently acquired for the gallery the "Flame" firebasket.
Large heraldic crest in Thames House foyer.
Commissioned the first forged stainless steel gates of their kind in the world for the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana...
Commissioned two large swan archways to the refurbished Memorial Park, Staines.
Commissioned Ruby Wedding gates for Dudmaston Hall utilising only a ground level pivot for the hinges. Lady Labouchere, relative of Abraham Darby of Coalbrookedale, also commissioned a sculpture using wrought iron from the Blists Hill rolling mill.
Commissioned large crucifix, altar candlesticks and paschal candlestand.
Born 1935 in Reading, Berkshire Antony comes from a long line of artisans, which include a master carpenter, a fellow blacksmith and a prosperous 19th Century builder whose elegant Thames side homes are still highly sought after.
He spent his formative years in Australia where his family emigrated when he was 13. At the age of 25 he returned to England and worked at a forging company in Midgham, Berkshire, while working here under his inventor employer, Antony started developing new ideas in metal, exploring contemporary forms and producing steel sculptures. During this time there was no new design in English metalwork and so Antony immediately drew up three contemporary gate designs which were a complete break from traditional metalwork.
The early 1970's saw him teaching forging techniques at Chelsea College of Art.
In 1975 the V&A Museum took permanent loan of his "Fire Imp" wall sculpture.
Marian Campbell, V&A Senior Curator Metalwork, Silver and Jewellery Collection declares, " The 'Fire Imp' as you know, I have always greatly admired, and felt that, quite apart form its aesthetic appeal, it is truly a historic piece, in that it marks the beginning of the 'Renaissance' in blacksmithing in this country".
Antony won a prestigious commission to make the Royal Wedding commemorative gates at the Great Hall, Winchester in 1981. These became a watershed in 20th Century stainless steel forging and was the first piece of its kind in the world.
He was awarded the Silver Medal immediately by the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, the first person to do so without first obtaining the Bronze.
Throughout the 80's and 90's there were a number of high profile works when in 1995 work started on a commission from a private European client. This entailed a vast amount of work from door-handles to the front gates and has been described as unique in late 20th Century metalwork and on a par with Horta and Gaudi. This work lasting nearly seven years.
In 2003 Antony and Simon were awarded the Tonypandy Cup by the W.C.B for this outstanding work.
Born 1962 in Reading, Berkshire it was almost inevitable that Simon would inherit the artistic talents of his father and grandfather before him.
His early interests were in painting and modeling, but from the age of 6 he found himself in his father's forge making small sculptures of his own, and having his first forging experience aged 7.
The love of metal gave him an interest not only in pure art, but also metal structures, bridges, buildings and themepark rides, monumental sculptures in themselves.
From art college Simon took an apprenticeship under his father and after a visit in 1984 from Alfred Habermann (one of the world's leading smiths) Simon was invited to work in his studio in Czechoslovakia. This was the equivalent of the European journeyman and from there worked extensively with Hermann Gradinger in Germany. Simon returned to Czechoslovakia in 1986 to be the first smith from the West to demonstrate at the Hafaiston Symposium winning first prize for his piece. He was later to demonstrate there with his Father in 1989, just as the 'Velvet Revolution' started.
Simon set up his own business in 1987 making largely ecclesiastical pieces, including St. Mary - le - Bow in Cheapside for whom Simon sculpted a 5ft figure of Christ in cruciform with a pair of large altar candlestands.
In 1995 Simon collaborated with his father on a vast European stainless steel project for a private client including gates, balustrades, balconies, fireplaces, grilles, lights, door-handles, etc. taking nearly seven years to complete.
Simon also won with his father the Tonypandy Cup in 2003 for most outstanding work.
Simon and his father today still collaborate on each commission.
La Forge Robinson, Le Pont, Caligny, 61100, France
Tel. +33 (0) 233 961716 / 02 33 96 17 16
Fax. +44 (0) 1939 250806
Email. info@forgerobinson.com