| Biographical Display |
See Sovereign Woodworkers Limited Papers comprising an research article (unpublished) by Ron Lambert 2007.
Sovereign Woodworkers Limited was established in Gonville in 1949 by Austin Brasell, Arnold Arnie Burling and Wyn Hart. The company had its origins in Brasell’s home workshop. He had developed a woodturning hobby to produce inlaid and laminated wooden souvenir ware which he marketed mainly in NZ cities. One of his most successful products was his 12-inch “Sovereign” ruler inset with 18 samples of native timbers. The company was at its peak in the 1960s but the 1980s saw a drop in demand. In 1992 the firm was placed in receivership after a potential joint venture with an investor fell through. In 1995-6 the Gonville factory was purchased by New Zealand Timber Arts and continued to produce laminated woodware for the souvenir market. The company moved its operation to Bulls in 2000, ending its 50-year association with Gonville.
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