History

The craft of falconry furniture making has waxed and waned with the fashion of the sport. Up until the mid- to late-1600s falconry was practised by most classes. Once firearms became readily available it fell out of fashion and was pursued by a very few enthusiasts for about 300 years. Furniture would have been made by local craftsmen, saddlers, blacksmiths, glovers etc. Falconry underwent a revival from the 1960s onwards, and by this time everyone had to make their own equipment as there was nobody left to learn from. This led to a number of professional makers, most of whom came and went as they were mostly not able to make a living. About ten years ago people started to import equipment from abroad, mostly Pakistan, which has seriously impacted UK makers.

 

Techniques

• Glove making
• Fine leatherwork
• Metalwork

 

Local forms

 

 

Sub-crafts

• making braided jesses and leashes
• hood making
• wooden block making (falcon perches).

 

Issues affecting the viability of the craft

• Most makers are self-taught amateurs. Even professionals, of which there are few full time, are largely self-taught.
• Many makers have succumbed to outsourcing production to Pakistan or China and selling mail order from home.
• Imported furniture is often poor in quality and design, but many falconers know no difference.

 

Support organisations

 

 

Craftspeople currently known

• Ben Long
• Chris Payne
• Steve Halsall
• Kevin McMillan
• Martin Jones – has reduced his business, stopped producing a full range online and just markets specific items to a high-end London retail trade.

 

Other information

Some falcon owners make their own furniture, generally simple things like jesses. A much smaller proportion make gloves and hoods regularly, although quite a few will have a go once or twice and then give up.

 

References