These four prototype table legs (W.6-2016, W.7-2016, W.8-2016, W.9-2016) relate to another object in the V&A collection, the ‘George’ chest of drawers (W.14-2013), which was purchased through the Design Fund in 2013. As prototypes, they show a clear progression of thought by the maker, Gareth Neal. In his words, they demonstrate his ‘journey to George’. Made in 2006 using cheap timber, each prototype took about a day to make.

With this prototype, the last before he attempted to create a working prototype using a CNC machine, Neal experimented with the width of cut made between planes. Here he used a dimension saw to create a 3mm gap rather than the 5mm gap seen on the other pieces. This is probably the truest representation of the leg (in terms of shape and dimensions) from the piece of furniture Neal used to inspire the design of ‘Anne’. Gareth Neal is a progressive and collaborative East London design and craft studio that harmoniously unites traditional and digital techniques to create uniquely crafted pieces. In 2021 the studio was an International Kogei Award Grand Prize Winner for their SiO2 Twisted Vessel.