Edward Gardiner (1880–1958) was a British craftsman and chairmaker closely associated with the Arts and Crafts movement and the revival of traditional English country furniture. A key collaborator of architect Ernest Gimson, Gardiner trained at the Cotswold workshops and became known for his exceptional skill in making rush-seated chairs using traditional methods. After Gimson’s death in 1919, Gardiner continued the workshop’s legacy, producing chairs of remarkable structural integrity and simplicity. His work emphasised honest construction, hand-shaped components, and the use of native timbers such as ash and oak. Gardiner’s chairs, often bearing his distinctive maker’s stamp, are celebrated for their refined rusticity and enduring utility. Working later in partnership with Neville Neal, Gardiner helped preserve and pass on the craft of English chairmaking at a time when such skills were increasingly rare. His legacy remains deeply rooted in the values of craftsmanship, function, and respect for tradition.
