This listing here is for a very collectable 1960s wooden cheese board or chopping board. It is a lovely board for a mid-century kitchen and would look good on a dining table to pop serving dishes on - or just as a decorative item to display on it. You won't be disappointed with it.
This board was produced by Wynncraft and the tiles were designed by Alan Wallwork. They are abstract designs inspired by autumn coloured flower heads. They reflect designs by Kenneth Clark and Ann Wynne Reeves (please also see my board by Ann listed in my shop). These tile and vintage kitchen boards are very collectable especially in such lovely condition.
I have taken lots of images for your inspection.
These vintage chopping boards are very hard to source now - and this is reflected in my asking price (especially when it is in such fabulous condition).
Dimensions: The length of the board is 18 inches and the width is 7 3/4 inches. The height is just under an 1 inch. The tile is a standard 6 inches square one. Being made from a thick slab of heavy teak wood - it has a good bit of weight to it - unpacked it is 1.5 kg.
It is in perfect condition with a nice glossy surface. I don't think that it has ever been used - as there are no cutlery marks on the tiles and the teak board section is damage free - no chips or stains to the wood. I think that this has been hung on a wall as a display item - as there is an old hanging mechanism on the back as photographed - this can be easily removed or used to hang your board.
BIOGRAPHY: Alan was born in Watford, Hertfordshire in 1931. He was initially interested in film design, but after national service he opted to study art, and in 1954 he went to Newland Park teacher training college at Chalfont St Peter in Buckinghamshire. There he discovered well-equipped pottery studios but no teacher, so he began a course of self-tuition in clay, using Bernard Leach's "A Potter’s Book".
In 1955 Alan studied at Goldsmiths College, under the avant-garde potters Kenneth Clark (husband of Ann Wynn Reeves) and Gordon Baldwin. He then established a communal studio of artists in Forest Hill, London. It offered a workshop space and gallery - where artists were able to display and sell their works. In 1960 (joined by fellow Goldsmith's student Bernard Rooke) he moved to larger premises in Greenwich.
Soon, Alan’s functional designs and exuberant tiles were being shown at the Design Centre, Heal’s department store and the Craft Potters Association in Soho. He also produced adventurous individual pieces. These were coil-built, made on a wheel, hand-pinched or constructed from clay slabs.
Needing to expand tile production, Alan found an old chapel at Marnhull, near Sturminster Newton in Dorset, and moved there in 1965. In 1984 he moved to above Lyme Regis.
Alan moved to the foothills of the Pyrenees in France. Here, in addition to his work, he enjoyed the sun and lucky him ! copious amounts of wine! However, increasingly troubled by ill health, he spent the larger part of his last years back in Dorset, finally at Bere Regis where he passed away in 2019.
UK postage will be have to sent with Parcelforce24 (sadly a little more expensive option but certainly a safer one). This will be applied at checkout to your order.