Lavenham Guildhall

Presentation Models

This model of the Lavenham Guildhall produced by Mudlen End Studio is a large presentation model.

In common with a number of other large models produced by Mudlen End Studio, this one has no markings on the underside.

The group of 4 smaller pictures in the grid below show other shots of this example of the Lavenham Guildhall made by Mudlen End Studio.

The Guildhall is a large imposing mediaeval building located on the main market square in Lavenham, Suffolk. The building's original function was as the meeting hall of the Guild of Corpus Christi (body of Christ). It is now owned and conserved by the National Trust and is open to visitors.

As you can see from the picture that I took of the Guildhall (May, 2009), the external finish is rather different to the strong contrasting black & white finish suggested by the model. In fact I believe this changed as part of the conservation and restoration work carried out by the National Trust, where the external faces were given what is believed to be a more representative colour wash, removing the contrasting black on the exposed wood. My memory of the building in my youth when I lived in the area is of the building having a much greater contrasting external finish with the wood being picked out in black, as so many others are in the town and surrounding area. Other older photographs available on the internet seem to reinforce my memory and explain why the model is also finished in this contrasting effect.

Another point to note is the apparent scale of the model compared to the actual building. The Guildhall building is not very different in frontage size to the Swan Hotel in the same town, also modelled by Mudlen, and yet The Swan model is about 50% longer than the Guildhall model. However, the Guildhall model in fact represents only part of the building - the two storey section at the far end in the photo shown above, now housing the shop and tea room, is absent on the model.

Notes

The model bears no markings on the underside to formally identify it as the work of Mudlen End Studio. For a time I became convinced that it might in fact have been modelled by a different pottery, and removed it from the site. However, recent discussions with another knowledgeable collector who has access to another example, has led us to the conclusion that it is indeed a Mudlen End model.

If you have an example of the Guildhall model, especially if it has any markings, please contact me.

The model is difficult to find [Scarce], and as far as I am aware, is not available in other colour variations.

Refer to the Mudlen End Home page for a definition of the availability categories used on this site.