The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, is delighted to announce that the Gratus Bench, designed and made by Joseph Robinson, has been awarded the prestigious Christopher Claxton Stevens Prize.
The Christopher Claxton Stevens Prize, presented annually to the most outstanding piece awarded a Bespoke Guild Mark in the preceding 12 months, was awarded to Joseph by the Rt Hon the Lord Mayor, Alderman Alastair King DL, and Debbie Johnson, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, at the Installation Dinner held at Mansion House, London, on Monday 12 April 2025.
The Gratus Bench, sculpted from quarter-sawn Bog Oak, is a testament to Joseph’s mastery of natural materials and organic form. Its most distinctive feature – a continuous laminated structure of one hundred Bog Oak veneers forming the backrest, arms, and legs – is delicately finished with hand-worked bronze detailing. The bench is designed to bring moments of stillness to transitional spaces, with a name derived from the Latin ‘gratus’, meaning grace and gratitude.
The Bespoke Guild Mark recognises excellence in design, materials, craftsmanship and function for one-off or limited-edition pieces. Since its inception in 1958, it has represented the highest accolade for designer-makers in the UK.
Joseph, a graduate of Robinson House Studio and now based in St Leonards-on-Sea, is known for drawing inspiration from the natural world, with a focus on artistic function and storytelling through form and material. His designs reflect a deep sensitivity to texture, structure, and the quiet intelligence of nature.
Commenting on his win, Joseph said: “Winning the Christopher Claxton Stevens Award for my first project is an incredible milestone – I’m proud of the recognition and excited for what’s ahead.”
Daniel Hopwood, chairman of the Bespoke Guild Mark committee, said: “The Gratus Bench is a poetic design that encourages the user to pause and appreciate. Joseph’s understanding of material and form is remarkable, and the result is a piece that balances elegance with meaning. A truly worthy recipient of this year’s Claxton Stevens Prize.”
