Miniature or real?
Renown miniaturists Mulvany & Rogers reveal why their latest project inspired by Leighton House is an artwork in its own right.
"Leighton House has been a project three years in the making, from initial design inception to adding the final detail of the famous peacock only a few days ago"
Kevin Mulvany and Susie Rogers have been making miniatures for over thirty years and are among the foremost makers in the world working today. Their models are held in museums and private collections internationally and they have pieces on every continent excepting the poles! Miniatures include Ham House, Brighton Pavilion, Spencer House, several versions of Versailles, Hampton Court and a part of Hogwarts.
Their latest, spectacular model is one-twelfth scale miniature of Leighton House and its richly decorated interiors, commissioned by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Khalid Al Thani. Keep reading to find out behind-the-scenes insights from the renown makers as they recount the joys and challenges of working on this special commission.
The Leighton House miniature is on display at Leighton House from 15 to 20 July only. Book your tickets!
Interior and exterior views of the Leighton House miniature. Image Jaron James.
Did you know...?
- All the exterior bricks are hand-scored and painted.
- The tiles are hand-painted on card and glazed to resemble ceramic.
- The roof tiles are individually hand-cut and painted.
- The mosaic floors are hand-drawn onto gesso and then painted and scored with a steel point. (We gave up counting how many squares there are after finishing the first threshold.)
- The window glass is antique Victorian glass.
- The individually laid floor-boards are cut from a Victorian cupboard shelf.
- The dome is double-gilded with nearly 10,000 miniature gold-leaf squares.
- The lighting including the Arab Hall copper and brass chandelier is custom made and the wiring runs through the walls and floors as in a full-scale building.
- All the pictures are hand-painted original oils with handmade gilt frames
- The stair carpet has been needlepointed on 56 count silk gauze, as have the rugs.
Stellar team
Kevin Mulvany is the architect and draughtsman. He translates the physical full-size building into complex scale drawings and from them, he goes on to construct the wooden carcasse. Susie Rogers is the specialist painter, carver and gilder replicating everything from ceramic glazes to stone, wood and marble. Exceptional model maker, Stephen Best has collaborated with Susie and Kevin on this special commission.
"We are self-taught and have learned as we’ve gone along. This approach has led us to be flexible in our methods and we are happy to embrace all aspects of making, from traditional wood-working techniques, carving, gesso-ing and gilding to modern brass etchings and polymer plaster casting. Everything and anything is pressed into the service of the final presentation and atmosphere.
Worldwide craft
Mulvany & Rogers collaborates with an exceptional community of jewellers, artists, silversmiths, engineers, furniture makers, metalworkers, needlepoint artisans, embroiderers, and many other skilled craftspeople. By recreating some of the world's most beautiful objects for display within model interiors, these talented artisans have produced extraordinary miniature works of art—each one a unique masterpiece that showcases the highest levels of craftsmanship, creativity, and attention to detail.
Some of the specially commissioned furnishings and objects are:
- Flaming June, Dante’s Dream, At the Reading Desk and others - Dmitri Pavlenski (Russia)
- Corinna of Tanagra and other pictures - Johannes Landsman (Canada)
- Ebony tables - Sergio Macedo Netto (Brazil)
- Staircase seat - Geoff Wonnacott (UK)
- Bronze statuary - Neil Carter (UK)
- Stair runner - Catherine Gerard (France)
- Rugs - Francine Coyone (France)
- Peacock - Kerri Pajutee (USA)
- Cushions and 17thc chair - Raf Tiozzo (Italy)
- Porcelain vases - Henny Staring Egberts (Netherlands)
- Porcelain chargers - Lee Cheliss Wessel (USA)
- Staircase seat - Geoff Wonnacott (UK)
- Bronze statuary - Neil Carter (UK)
- Stair runner Catherine Gerard (France)
- Rugs - Francine Coyone (France)
- Peacock - Kerri Pajutee (USA)
- Cushions and 17thc chair - Raf Tiozzo (Italy)
- Porcelain vases - Henny Staring Egberts (Netherlands)
- Porcelain chargers - Lee Cheliss Wessel (USA)
When making a scale version, we aim to recreate the essence of the interior space. For us a palpable atmosphere is the difference between a straightforward model and a miniature and it is something we strive for in every part of our buildings. We were very lucky in the case of Leighton House because of course, it has a very special atmosphere; our challenge was to do it justice!
Painstakingly recreated objects and artworks. Image Jaron James.