Whether you are looking for a variation on something from our collection of sports pieces, a classic design,  something contemporary, or a creative solution to an unusual problem or brief, we have the experience and ability to help.

Just a few examples of the many pieces we’ve created over the years appear on the Our Clients and Portfolio page. This gives you an idea of the range and quality of our work – but even if what you want is completely different, chances are we can help.  Once we have an idea what you want, we can start looking at how we would create a beautiful, unique piece for you.

You will be assured of an excellent personal service from Thomas & Peters’ Partners at all times – our customers always come first which is why so many of them come back time and again.

We are always happy to discuss your needs in detail (free of charge) and to give you a full quote with no obligation attached.

What do I do next if I’m considering a commission?

If you are interested in the general idea of a commission and want help looking at options, ideas and costs – then get in touch for a chat. Whatever your starting point, we can guide you through the possibilities. Because a commission is created for you, we can do pretty much anything you like. While this gives you choice, it can sometimes seem like too much choice! We have more than 25 years of experience and produced an extremely wide range of commissions, so let us see what we can do to help. To see some examples of work we have done – and this is just a small selection – please go to our Client & Portfolio section.

If you have an idea what you want – get in touch with us by phone or email to discuss what we would do to make this a reality. There may well be a range of different approaches and techniques we can use to fulfil your requirements. This discussion will help you get a more concrete idea of what your commission might look like, and will also enable us to identify the cost elements and give you a quote. Whether you have experience in commissioning or not, we can make this process manageable and enjoyable.

If you have a detailed brief - we’ll give you the artistic and technical specifications for fulfilling it. along with a full quote. Sometimes we find there are a range of options and considerations relating to a brief, and we will go through these with you to decide what will work best. We are happy to discuss the commission at whatever level of detail suits you. Some clients like to be very involved, others prefer us to take charge. We want our approach to suit you.

To contact us  please phone 01252 545486 or email sales@thomasandpeters.co.uk.

We  work closely with a number of golf clubs – both large and smaller clubs – supplying them with complete golf tournament prize packages, commemorative trophies, captain’s prizes, and retirement gifts. Most of these items come from our exclusive range of handmade bronze trophies, and we also offer a range of silver cups and glassware prizes. If you would like to see our full selection of golf trophies and other sports trophies, and our range of  silver cups and glassware, please go to www.golftrophies.com.

A selection of the clubs we have worked with: The Belfry, East Sussex, Foxhills, Hankley Common, Glen Eagles, Loch Lomond, Muirfield, Montecastillo, Valderrama, La Rochelle, Royal Jersey, Royal Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, Royal Troon, The R.A.C. Golf Club, San Roque, St.Mellion, St.Pierre, Nailcoat Hall, Seignosse, Sunningdale, Wentworth, and Woburn.

Please feel free to contact us to discuss your requirements, by phoning on 01252 545486 or emailing sales@thomasandpeters.co.uk.

Here are a few examples of our commission pieces:

Formby Golf Club – Centenary Trophy

Formby Golf Club's Centenary Trophy - based on their trademark image of a hare

The Hare, cast in foundry bronze, is a reworking of the Formby Golf Club’s trademark image.

The running hare shown here was created on the occasion of the Club’s Centenary in 2010.

Thomas & Peters had long been a supplier of golf trophies to the club and this proved a jumping-off point for the club to decide on a commission piece.

As a foundry-cast piece, The Hare was sculpted by Thomas & Peters’ in-house artist Ellinor Atkinson, and the remainder of the process project managed by our team.

Many of our pieces are created using our Registered Float Bronze cold-casting technique.

This can create a very similar finish at a lower cost.

Scottish Grocer Awards – basket of goods trophy

Scottish Grocer Awards – basket of goods trophy

This original piece was created for The Scottish Grocer Awards,  a major annual event at which the best performers in their sector are recognised.

This intricately-sculpted award was made from scratch by the artist Ellinor Atkinson.

This piece neatly includes the major brands which sponsored the awards.

The casting is beautifully detailed and cast in real bronze.

It was mounted on smooth columns of natural Burlington Blue Lakeland slate.

Swansea FC commission – Ivor Allchurch Sculpture

Swansea FC Commission - Ivor Allchurch

This literally larger-than-life portrait of the Welsh international Ivor Allchurch MBE stands outside the 20,000 capacity Liberty Stadium, home to Swansea FC.

Thomas & Peters worked with Ivor’s widow Esme using a lifetime’s photographs to inspire the artist Michael Field to create this very fine 6ft portrait.

This is a major sculpture which required the highest level of creativity and technical skill.

Our years of project management expertise also played a key role in the success of the project.

Needless to say, it was completed on time and to budget.

We have created major commissions for a wide range of different companies and organisations.

Our commission clients have included Tesco, Ford, the London Evening Standard newspaper, Swansea FC, HM Treasury, the BBC, the Cabinet War Rooms, and the RAF.

Also in our portfolio are The Scottish Grocers Awards, Unysis, Siemens, Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays, Siemens, BMW and Lend Lease.

Tesco -  commissioned  badger trophies used in charitable events

The badger is the logo for Tesco’s major charity fundraising programme which generates major sums  for good causes through sporting events.

These beautifully-detailed creatures were sculpted by Thomas & Peters in-house sculptor Ellinor Atkinson, who works exclusively for us. The badgers’ skis represent a recent event in Switzerland.
The creatures have also appeared at golf events with the ubiquitous pin flag in their little paws.

Community Commission – The Hug

Community commission - "The Hug" sculpture

This outstanding bronze sculpture by Ellinor Atkinson represents a highly successful collaboration between Thomas & Peters and The Wavell School in Farnborough, Hampshire.

To successfully pull off a detailed brief such as the one which came with this commission requires technical and creative skill,  flexibility, constant communication and excellent project management skills. This is exactly what we applied to the job – and our clients were delighted.

This original artwork – which at 36cm high with a footprint of approximately 30cm x 30cm and mounted on a 1m high plinth is a major artwork – is displayed in the school quad and celebrates its 40th anniversary. The piece expresses the school ethos in physical form – the philosophy of embracing all children whether their strengths are academic, practical or sporting.

BBC Broadcasting House Plaque

Commission for BBC - a masterpiece of miniaturisation.

This award was given to those who had participated in the prestigious refurbishment of Broadcasting House in London.
It is a cross section in high relief of the building at the half way stage.

Ellinor Atkinson, our in-house artist, is also a trained architectural model maker so this commission gave her a special opportunity to use her wide range of skills.

This 6 x 5 inch work is a marvel of miniaturisation – the spiral staircase at 4mm diameter demanded the ultimate technical and creative skill.

Cast in resin and sprayed red, the smooth Burlington Blue Lakeland Slate provided the perfect counterpoint for this striking, contemporary piece.

The Scottish Licenced Trade News Awards  – “Corkscrews”

Commission for The Scottish Licenced Trade News Awards

The Scottish Licenced Trade News Awards is a major annual event at which the best venues and individuals of the year receive the utmost praise for their performance.

It is a highly-valued award  in what is a seriously competetive market place,given in the presence of their peers.

The corkscrews are fabricated in a forge, by hand, in stainless steel. The handles, likewise in stainless steel, are turned on a lathe by highly skilled machinists.

All is then polished with the greatest care before being mounted on Burlington Blue Lakeland Slate.

Pictured with real corks to give context to the size of the piece.

RAF commemorative piece

RAF Commemorative Commission

This poignant piece was created by Ellinor Atkinson to a brief given by fellow service men who wished to remember the life of a colleague who was lost in a climbing exercise.

The strongly- clasped hands represent the hand of friendship amongst fellow servicemen, illustrating their professional and personal commitment to each other in extreme circumstances on land and in the air. The RAF insignia in incorporated into the piece’s rockface backdrop.

This work is presented annually at a major service golf event.

We have more than 25 years of creating superb, original trophies, commemorative artworks and architectural pieces for budgets of all sizes. And you may be surprised how reasonable the cost of an original commission may be.

We are always happy to discuss your needs and to give you a full quote.

Please feel free to contact us to discuss your requirements, by phoning on 01252 545486 or emailing sales@thomasandpeters.co.uk.

A family business: Thomas & Peters' Artist Ellinor Atkinson is the daughter of founders Peter & Maria Bellchambers

Over nearly 30 years in the industry, Thomas & Peters have led the field as high class original designers and producers of sporting trophies and commissions.

Our reputation has been established through the outstanding artistic quality of our sculpture and craftsmanship, and our unique, registered methods of production. By combining this with excellence in customer service and a highly responsive approach to the needs of the market, Thomas & Peters has gone  from strength to strength.

The Early Days

Thomas & Peters started life by creating a collection of handmade bronze and silver figurines and trophies. We established the highest standards by using the best quality materials, applying superb creative and technical skills, and making use of a real knowledge of our customers’ needs. Our sporting figurines and golf equipment made to scale – from tiny sports shoes to super-size bronze golf balls – set new market standards.

This in turn led to commissions for works used exclusively by some of the top business names in the UK. Along with this came interest from  individual clients and collectors at home and abroad, bringing sales in 22 countries.

A Family Business

Started by Peter Bellchambers and his wife Maria at their studio in Farnborough, Thomas & Peters has always been a family business. Peter leads the way as Senior Partner, and Maria continues to run the Farnborough studio.

The business was started with little of the necessary technical knowledge, but a huge enthusiasm and commitment, as well as a thorough knowledge of the sporting market which later became very important. As a former  Marketing Director for the then-thriving Dewhurst the butcher, Peter’s existing love of sport had come in useful when he met such athletic luminaries as Seb Coe, Tessa Sanderson, Geoff Capes and many others who were well fed and performed at the Dewhurst Games in Spalding.

In time, Peter and Maria’s daughter Ellinor Atkinson joined the business as in-house artist and now works from the company’s Lincolnshire Studio in Long Sutton. She was followed by her sister Elisabeth Driscoll, who provides marketing and communications support through her London-based company Bellchambers PR Ltd.

From Harrods to Wembley

In the early 1980s our collection consisted of a wide range of hand-made pieces including sports figurines, cats, dogs, and clowns, which we sold directly as well as through premier retailers such as Harrods, Harvey Nicholls, Peter Jones and Selfridges.

During one of the companys regular exhibitions at Earls Court, a woman who sold plaster saints and had connections with the Arsenal Football Club (what a remarkable combination) asked if Thomas & Peters had thought of producing a footballer which, for instance, the FA could use as a presentation piece. We did – and the FA, through Bobby Robson who was then the England Manager, took it as a presentation piece to other football associations as they travelled the world, or to those who came to Wembley.

Making Pieces Fit for Royalty and The Prime Minister

Exhibiting this footballer at a Small Business Bureau event led directly to a commission for presentation pieces for then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The Prime Minister was to be principal speaker at the Small Business Bureau Annual Awards, and Sir Dennis guest of honour at the evening reception.

This was, of course, a big moment in the history of the company. For Sir Dennis we originated a 12 inch golf figure and from there on the golf market became the backbone of our business and in turn led to other markets, in particular the commissions field.

The company was kept on its toes under the constant scrutiny of the top professionals visiting major exhibitions. They were one of 12 companies to be chosen for a visit to their stand by Prince Andrew at the annual Golf Exhibition at The National Exhibition Centre.

Quality, Excellence and Decades of Success

Like many organisations which have continued to thrive over the years, the secret of our success is in making sure we know our customers want. We listen to what they tell us – and respond to it immediately, and as part of our longer term strategy. One thing which has never changed is our complete commitment to customer service – an area in which, as a family business, we can certainly triumph over many larger providers.

Moving With the Times

And we also work hard to keep our prices as low as possible while offering an excellent quality product. We constantly work on improved production efficiencies and communication strategies to keep us ahead of the field. As we attempt to keep pace in the age of the internet, it certainly seems a long time ago that we made contact with out customers through colour adverts in magazines, and appearances trade shows and exhibitions!

From brief to prototype – taking the first step

The process of taking a commission starts with the client’s brief. Detailed discussions take place with the client, to ensure we know exactly what they have in mind. Different people have different starting points – and we can work with you whatever that is.

Our artist will create your piece from clay before it is cast in bronze

Thomas & Peters’ in-house artist Ellinor Atkinson creates all the company’s original artworks and trophies. Her first step following agreement about what is required is to sculpt a miniature prototype of the final piece – a model called a maquette. This piece is normally made in clay and may incorporate other materials.

Throughout the process we negotiate with the customer to ensure they understand everything they need to, and we are always happy to answer questions or explain what is going on if required.

The maquette is an important starting point – it gives the client and artist something they can work with together. Further discussions take place and the maquette can be reworked and changed until the client is ready to sign off a final version.

We now have the piece that will be converted to a full size original, then cast to create the final piece

From little to large – creating the full-size artwork

The artist now moves on to the major task of creating a full-sized piece – an up-scaled model of the signed-off prototype. This is often involves both a feat of engineering, as well as requiring a very special creative approach.

While the artist is working on the full-size sculpture, the client is kept in touch with the process. This allows an opportunity for them to negotiate further adjustments if required.

Ellinor Atkinson with her final sculpture of 'The Hug' commission - this was upscaled from the miniature version (or 'maquette') made at the start of the process

Occasionally there are elements in a commissioned work where model engineering is essential. At this point Thomas & Peters use national Gold Medal winning level model engineers to do their work.

The next step – making a mould of the original sculpture

Once the full-size piece is finished and signed off, the next stage is the painstaking and skilled process of creating a mould. This will then be used to cast the final piece.

At Thomas & Peters we make our moulds out of a synthetic ‘rubber’ made of silicone. The material and the process we use allows for the final reproduction to be extremely detailed and accurate, and the mould to be robust and long-lasting.

Initially a thin coat of liquid  rubber is painted on to the sculpture. This is left to dry, another coat added, and the process repeated. This continues until a mould of between 0.5- 1 inch thick – depending on the requirements for casting the final piece – has been created.

The clay sculpture (in this instance a giant chess piece) will be coated in white silicone rubber to form the mould used to cast the bronze piece

Our method of mould making enables Thomas & Peters’ artisans to preserve all the detail of the original sculpture so the final stays true to it. The flexibility of the silicone also enables easy removal from what’s inside.

A rigid casing is then made to keep the mould stable during casting, by adding a layer of Gypsum or Plaster of Paris of about an inch thick to the rubber mould.

We now have a rubber mould with a removable outer plaster coat. This is now divided into sections so it can be removed and used to cast the final piece.

This is rather like creating a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle – and the final construction ensures the mould can separate in the minimum sufficient number of parts to release the sculpture inside, without damage either to the final casting(s) or the mould.

Making your artwork in beautiful bronze – our unique method

For a hand-cast piece created in our studios, Thomas & Peters will use its own unique, registered method of low-temperature casting.

Registered under the Copyrighted name of Float Bronze, this technique has three important benefits:

Our registered Float Bronze technique can create a bright shiny finish.....

First, the surface of each casting is very nearly 100% pure bronze -  so it polishes up as beautifully as foundry-cast bronze, which is far more expensive due to the processes involved and the high temperatures required. The final item can be finished to the brightest of bronze, which is as shiny as brass, but unlike brass, which is yellow, is a much warmer colour because of the copper content in the bronze alloy.

Secondly, the Float Bronze surface can also be patinated – that is, given a traditional dark finish – again in an incredibly cost-effective way compared to the patinated finish created in a foundry. This finish has been around for thousands of years in and is often seen on monumental bronzes such as the lions in London’s Trafalgar Square. and throughout the sculptural capitals like Italy.

Thirdly, the low temperature specification ensures a long life to the silicone rubber moulds guaranteeing a maximum output of castings from any one mould. This helps keep costs down for clients who want a long run of their commissioned pieces.

....or you can choose the classical dark 'patinated' finish

Float Bronze casting involves floating micro-spherical bronze particles on and into specific liquid resin and tightly controlling the exothermic reaction temperature during the hardening reaction to maintain the lowest effective temperatures.

For monumental work which is to be displayed outside or in busy pedestrian areas inside buildings, lost wax foundry castings may be required.

Thomas & Peters are widely experienced project managers in this area.

A recent example is the Wavell School 40^th Anniversary sculpture commissioned for 2010 and now proudly displayed on a 1m high Finnish granite plinth in the school quad.

The final piece – casting your sculpture

Once we have a mould of the original sculpture, we can cast the final piece.

A paste of nearly 100% pure bronze is painted on to the inside of the rubber mould to form a the sculpture

The mould is opened up, and each section coated with liquid Float Bronze. Each section has to be coated very quickly as the liquid hardens at a fast pace – which puts great pressure on the caster to get on with the job! The sections of the mould must then be put together whilst each of the seam lines are still fluid, so they meld together to create one piece. The coating of Float Bronze is usually about 4mm thick. The plaster of Paris casing is then fitted around the silicone rubber, and tied so that it remains as one solid support.

When the bronze coating has hardened, the hollow casting is then filled with a liquid resin mixed with ground stone. It is this which gives the final piece its heavyweight feel. Any vulnerable part of the casting – for instance the arms and legs of a sculpture of a person – is reinforced inside with steel armatures.

The casting then has to be left to harden over a given period of time, depending on its size and structure. After this the casting is carefully removed from the mould, and trimming or fettling of the seam lines – and making up any minor casting faults which are an inevitable part of the casting process – is done by hand.

The casting then needs to rest for a number of days to ‘cure’ before it can be polished.

The finishing touches – polishing or patinating your piece

Whether you want a shiny bright bronze finish, or a darker patinated surface, the first step is to blast away impurities in the Float Bronze casting surface. This is done using a very fine aluminium oxide powder which is blasted at the figure by hand using a specialist machine. A practised eye and steady hand are required to ensure exactly the right result.

A three-stage polishing process creates a beautiful bright finish

After the surface impurities are removed, three stages of high-speed polishing by hand are required, using a polishing machine which uses mops which revolve at about 3000 rpm. Flax and cotton mops of diminishing hardness are used, each applying polishes of diminishing coarseness, and a final cleaning and waxing to give the brightest metal finish available.

It is at this point at this point that the patination process can begin if it is required.  This is a chemical process, again done by hand, which turns the bright bronze into the traditional dark surface.

A supporting role – mounting your piece on natural materials

All our castings are mounted on green or black Lakeland Slate, unless otherwise required by the customer. Our stone mason, Slate Age (www.slateage.com) has been Thomas & Peters’ supplier since the day we cast our first piece 30 years ago. The stone masons are themselves a small family business, now including a second generation carrying on the good work.

Your piece will be mounted on Lakeland slate or your chosen alternative, and for perpetual trophies a mahogany plinth can be added

Every stone is drilled by hand to receive the fixing studs, which are then cemented in. For perpetual trophies where the customer wishes to award the trophy every year and record the annual winner’s name on it, a 2 inch mahogany base is added, which base is itself a fine piece of craftsmanship, made by hand with beautiful moulded upper edges.

The natural stone base is hand-drilled before your commission is mounted on it

Locating your piece where you want it – safe delivery and installation

A piece such as a trophy or moveable sculpture will be shipped carefully to your chosen address. We pack everything with the greatest of care to ensure maximum protection during transit – even this part of the process is informed by our years of experience!

A large piece, such as a public artwork or outdoor sculpture may need specialist permanent installation. If required we can advise you or project manage this stage.

After delivery – our follow-up service

For Thomas & Peters, the delivery or installation of your commission is not the end of our relationship with the customer. We are always at the end of the phone if you have any questions, comments or need assistance with the piece, for instance if you want to know more about its care. If you are unfortunate enough that any damage occurs to your piece once it is in your possession, chances are that we can fix it and you will never know the difference.

More information

If you would like to discuss any element of the commissioning process – or even make the most tentative of enquiries – please do not hesitate to contact us. Telephone us on 01252 545486 or email sales@thomasandpeters.co.uk