Mathews & Company

Mathews & Company produces and manufactures functional artistic furniture and accessories. Every item Mathews & Company creates is of the highest quality. Mathews & Company set the standard for craftsmanship in their shop and for the master craftsmen themselves. They are also committed to environmentally sound manufacturing using recycled and natural materials and processes in their products. The iron in the furniture is produced individually in the true manner of a blacksmith, by hammer and anvil. The copper tops on the tables are made from recycled copper wire that is first melted in a wood fire, rolled into a sheet and hammered by hand over every square inch. This process causes the copper sheet to become brittle. Therefore it must be returned to the fire to be softened. After being reheated, the copper sheet is quickly cooled while being worked. This step may be repeated a number of times depending on the amount of hammering and movement necessary. One of the results of this manufacturing technique is the coloration given to the copper. The black is mottling is caused by the carbon from the fire. Some copper has a more red coloration and bright spots appear when the patina is flashed off during the cooling process. Consequently, each table top is truly unique and one of a kind. When complete, the copper skin is hammered around and attached to a wooden core. The final step is a wax coat finish applied to the table and then polished. Mathews & Company pottery is made in Mexico using a mixture of 3 different clays indigenous to that region. This same clay has been used for centuries to make cooking vessels. All pottery is handmade and the finishes hand applied. As such, there may be slight variations in size and color on each piece.