John J Hodgson

The Master Miniaturist

john, Sue and daughters at show

John’s Last Show 2021

Welcome from Sue.

For those new customers not knowing Johns work, he visited stately homes and private homes to photograph, measure and draw the pieces before being able to duplicate them in miniature. At the Kensington festival in May, I was able to display some of his wooden pieces and also to show pictures of some very elaborate items in our own collection. I showed tiny very delicate pieces of fretwork all hand-cut, every detail worked out to perfection to create the furniture and the room settings. Over forty years of work.

I also showed the photograph of his miniature easel where he painted his miniature paintings.

We continue with all your orders, at the same time showing a couple of earlier pieces re-created, ie. a table plat introduced some years ago by John. It is a French style table with leather top, hand painted black lacquer, gilt detail and three opening drawers on one side with three faux drawers on the other. We have painted a Louis XV style side chair to match with leather upholstery.

Another item not seen for a while is the rectangular gilt mirror, ideal over a table as a pier mirror.

We are exhibiting for the spring and summer shows, you can keep up to date on our exhibitions by visiting our news page.

We will be at Miniatura at Stoneleigh NAEC, Coventry on the 16th and 17th March 2024 for their spring show and also 

The Kensington Dollshouse festival on the 17th and 18th May 2024 for their summer show at the Kensington Town Hall.

Please come along and say hello.  It is exciting for me to exhibit with my daughter Ruthie and we are looking forward to meeting with new and existing customers”

On the website you will see different painted colour ways, and many different fabrics. We are not able to show every different combination, so let us know your requests and if we can help you design the look you want in your miniature collection, Please e mail sue@johnjhodgson.com with any queries. We look forward to hearing from you  – Sue 

Hever Castle Commission

In 1990, John was commissioned by Hever Castle in Kent, to produce a miniature exhibition. A very early Mediaeval house was made by John, becoming the first out of a series of three large houses and several room settings. These were built to depict the history of the architecture, furniture, costume and lifestyle of the times – from early Mediaeval, Elizabethan, Restoration Stuart, Georgian to the Victorian era.

For one man to attempt to make these huge models, together with their furniture, John had to diversify and develop his casting skills. Using moulds made from his hand-carved original pieces, he was able to cast items in metal and resin.

The long gallery of the Elizabethan house, has highly carved panelled walls and a wonderful honeysuckle design on a half-barrelled ceiling. This is just one example of the great care and attention to detail involved in making these models. You will see examples of John’s wonderful carving in various houses throughout the collection.

In contrast to this, most of the furniture in the Hever Collection is hand-carved in wood, using either mahogany or walnut.

John spent almost ten years working to create the exhibition which was opened by Dame Judi Dench, who is herself, a miniature enthusiast.

Steve Putnam.

Hever Castle Miniature Tour
by Steve Putnam Design.

Please note that our miniature furniture pieces are collectors pieces not toys for children.