Richard Raffan Large Yew Wood Platter

A large yew wood platter hand made by the authority on wood turning, Richard Raffan, circa 1980.

Since the 1970s, Raffan has popularised and mastered the craft of woodturning better than any other in the field. As a teacher, prolific author and craftsperson, he was a part of the 'art turning' movement that saw turned objects move into galleries where they are presented as works of art.

In 1973 Richard was the only woodturner juried into The Craftsman’s Art, a seminal exhibition at the V&A Museum in London that launched the British Crafts Council. This led to his bowls being in many major exhibitions, and him serving on the British Crafts Council Slide Index Selection Panel from 1974 to 1980.

Raffan has created large and valuable works in rare woods, but he has also championed simple utilitarian works created for everyday use.
Supporting Raffan’s advocation that his work should be used is this charming statement on his webite, ‘these plates and dishes were made to be used and will look and feel better for it.’ [1]

Admiringly, he refers to patina on well used wooden items as ‘an indescribable surface that begs for a caress of the hand--that's what I think wood should provide.’[2]

[1] www.richardraffan.com.au/plates-platters/
[2] Turning Wood with Richard Raffan (1985), Taunton Press