The Guild of Handicraft was a leading British Arts and Crafts workshop founded in 1888 by architect and designer Charles Robert Ashbee. Originally established in East London, the Guild brought together skilled craftsmen working in metal, wood, and other materials, united by a shared belief in the value of handcraftsmanship, community, and the social ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement. The Guild produced a wide range of finely made objects, including silverware, copperwork, furniture, and architectural fittings, often marked by simple forms, honest construction, and subtle decorative detail. In 1902, Ashbee relocated the Guild to Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds in an effort to create a self-sustaining community of workers and artisans. Though the Guild closed in 1907 due to financial pressures, its influence was profound. It played a central role in promoting the dignity of labor and the importance of beauty in everyday objects, leaving a lasting legacy in the history of British design.
