There are some things you have, and you just know their rightful home is really elsewhere. Until recently, we were the proud custodians of this very large, heavy, beautiful oak library table with carved detail. It was designed by Gordon Russell and made in his workshop in Broadway in 1928 for the library at Cheltenham’s Ladies’ College.

Photo: Gordon Russell library table in the Study Room at 48 Park Row

In the 1980s, our founder, Ken Stradling, was Chair of the Vivat Trust and he purchased this table at Clifton Auction House for one of their projects. In the end, the project did not go ahead and Ken kept the desk, and it came here to 48 Park Row.

The Trustees and staff of the Stradling Collection all loved this desk and used it all the time for meetings, workshops and displays but the table stayed covered for protection and, as a consequence, suffered from under-exposure.

Until now.

Photo@ Gordon Russell library table getting ready for its journey back to Broadway in WorcestershireAbout a month ago we contacted the Gordon Russell Design Museum and offered them the desk. The reply was very enthusiastic ‘yes’ as the director of the museum visited us a few years ago and had loved the table. So last week our table took a journey back home to Broadway in Worcestershire – here it is wrapped and ready for carriage:

The table is now fully visible to visitors and is doing a great job displaying books and catalogues. We are delighted that the table found its way back to the Gordon Russell Design Museum, where it can be admired by visitors and continue to be part of its legacy.

Photo: Gordon Russell library table at the Gordon Russell Design Museum in Broadway, Worcestershire

If you happen to visit our friends at the Gordon Russell Design Museum do please look out for the table: we believe it even has a label citing us as its previous owners.

We couldn’t be more pleased that such a beautiful piece of furniture and such a fine example of craftsmanship has better exposure and a proper context.