Tools Of A Master Craftsman: Mark Wilkinson OBE’s Personal Workshop Sold At Auction

Asset disposal specialists BPI Asset Advisory were appointed to manage the sale of the personal workshop of renowned British furniture designer and craftsman Mark Wilkinson OBE.

The online auction featured more than 100 lots, presenting buyers with a rare chance to acquire machinery and tools from a workshop shaped by decades of craftsmanship and innovation.

Widely regarded as a pioneer of modern British kitchen design, Wilkinson launched his first kitchen range in 1977, helping to popularise the English country kitchen style. He later co-founded Smallbone of Devizes and, in 1981, established Mark Wilkinson Furniture. After selling the business in 2009, he continued to play an active role as Group Creative Director. In 2010, he was awarded an OBE for services to the furniture industry and charitable causes.

The workshop sale included a rare restored Wadkin RU woodturning lathe alongside a carefully curated selection of machinery from Wadkin and Paoloni, as well as specialist woodworking equipment, traditional hand tools, furniture and woodturning supplies. Each lot reflected the precision, durability and craftsmanship associated with Wilkinson’s work.

The auction was led by Richard Travis, Industrial Specialist at BPI, who worked closely with the Wilkinson family to ensure the sale was conducted with care and respect. Particular attention was given to accurately presenting the workshop and reaching professional woodworkers, furniture makers and collectors worldwide.

The auction attracted strong national and international interest, reflecting both the quality of the equipment and the historic significance of its provenance. The sale demonstrated how specialist asset disposal can be delivered with professionalism and sensitivity, allowing the tools of Mark Wilkinson OBE to continue their working life in workshops around the world.

To see more from the sale and gain further insight into how the auction was managed, watch the full case study video from BPI Asset Advisory. The video highlights key lots from Mark Wilkinson OBE’s personal workshop and shares behind-the-scenes detail on how the specialist sale was brought to market.