Shapland & Petter

British

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Founded in the late 19th century in Barnstaple, Devon, Shapland & Petter earned a lasting reputation for producing high-quality furniture that blended traditional craftsmanship with industrial innovation. Established by cabinetmaker Henry Shapland and business-savvy partner Henry Petter, the firm became known for its refined interpretation of the Arts and Crafts style, offering elegant yet functional designs that reached a broad national and international market.

After a devastating fire in 1888 destroyed their original Raleigh Cabinet Works, the company relocated to a new factory at Bridge Wharf on the River Taw, where it grew to become one of the largest employers in Devon. While Shapland & Petter embraced Arts and Crafts aesthetics—particularly in their use of stylized motifs, fine joinery, and decorative inlay—they also integrated modern machinery into their production, setting them apart from more purist contemporaries.

Their wide range of furniture included sideboards, cabinets, and bedroom suites, characterized by clean lines, quality materials, and attention to detail. The company also played a role in wartime production during World War I, manufacturing items such as ammunition boxes and aircraft parts.

Though operations ceased in 2016, Shapland & Petter’s legacy endures through surviving furniture and exhibits in the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, representing a key chapter in Britain’s decorative arts and industrial design history.