A virtual tour of Collier Webb’s operations.
Design
Collier Webb
Urchin Door Pull in antique bronze.
This is part of the Shell Door Knob Collection. Also available as a smaller version, a door knob and a cupboard version.
Image courtesy of: Collier Webb
Collier Webb is a company steeped in rich history. The British family owned business has been at the forefront of manufacturing brass, bronze, aluminum, and silver castings for close to 40 years. Every single piece is made at the foundry on England’s South Coast. Founded by the late Cedric Collier, casting was a hobby that eventually pushed Collier to begin producing brass mounts and handles for local antique dealers.
Webb started humbly, working in an ancient barn; however, soon he was joined by his son Geoff. The next ten years presented a lot of opportunity for the company to grow and for their reputation to skyrocket. Quickly, Collier Webb became one of the top cast decorative makers in England. In order to “keep it all in the family,” Shield, Cedric’s daughter, joined to managed the office and growing number of accounts.
Geoff Collier, the founder’s son, and his daughter, Danielle.
Image courtesy of: Collier WebbÂ
By the time that Cedric decided to retire, the company’s sales had grown so much that a larger facility was needed. With Geoff in charge of over 40 employees, the operations were moved; and the latest CNC machinery was acquired so that additional products could be manufactured. These new digs and machinery allowed for future growth.
Thanks to Cedric and Geoff’s expertise in perfecting the traditional techniques of lost wax and sand casting, Cedric Webb gradually increased its offerings to over 800 unique items. The company notes that with the vast knowledge they have amassed over the past forty years, there is virtually nothing that their experience cannot produce in bronze, steel, or brass.
A light fixture from a collaboration with the London-based interior designers, Pro Bianco. The client requested a comprehensive collection of bespoke lighting for a residential home in Dubai. At completion, fourteen bespoke designs totaling 187 pieces were created for this project. Each design required different techniques, materials, and finishes.
Image courtesy of: Collier Webb
Unique to Collier Webb is the seamless combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology. These attributes enable the company to create their line of furniture, lighting and hardware. In addition, they offer bespoke designs for clients at their request.
Once the design is perfected, the moulding is made. The foundry employs two types of casting; sand casting is used for larger and less complex items that do not have much detailing since this is the fastest and most financially efficient method. On the other extreme, lost wax casting is the ideal process for casting intricate and finely-detailed items. Collier Webb is proficient in both!
Moon Snail cupboard knob in antique brass.
Image courtesy of: Modern Luxury Manhattan
In 2011, Andrew Webb joined the company; and thus, Collier Webb was officially born. Webb trained at Sotheby’s and was already a well-known interior designer. Along with Geoff, the pair opened Collier Webb Gallery on London’s Fulham Road. In 2018, a new showroom opened on Pimlico Road, the center of London’s luxury design district. The showroom was designed to ensure that clients seeking bespoke collaborations would be able to have an ideal place for consultations.
The following year, a second London showroom opened at the Design Center in Chelsea Harbour…the pinnacle of Europe’s largest design arena. This additional space, along with the 8,000-square-foot 2017 addition at the foundry enabled the operation to grow and become substantially more international.
About their work, the company says, “Its products are handmade and you can feel it when you see and touch them. The quality is outstanding. For my son’s bedroom, he has a wall of cabinetry and we used a different shell-shaped knob on every door, all in a beautiful warm nickel finish too.”
