Peter Kuh: Master Furniture Maker and Educator Dies at 74
Peter Kuh, an outstanding furniture maker, craftsman, and educator known for his ability to weave together cultural, artistic, tactile, and personal threads, has died at the age of 74. His friend confirmed his passing, highlighting a life dedicated to creating elegant music stands, intricate jewellery boxes, and timeless custom-made furniture that left a lasting impact on the craft world.
Early Life and Inspiration
Raised in Highland Park, Illinois, in the United States, Peter was the son of Peter Sr, a lawyer from a German-Jewish family, and his mother, Frederica (nee Coerr), a teacher from a southern family. His journey into furniture making began while studying architecture at Kansas University, where his interest in the craft was first sparked, setting the stage for a lifelong passion.
Love and Training
In 1972, Peter met Diana Lewin, a Cambridge economics student working as an au pair for his elder sister at a family home on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Their love flourished, and while Di completed her studies, Peter trained with Charles Webb Furniture in Boston. The couple married on the Vineyard in 1974 and then moved to Vermont, where Peter further honed his skills under the master craftsman Simon Watts, deepening his expertise in fine woodworking.
Move to Devon and Career Growth
When the law forbidding British women from bringing their spouses to the UK was repealed in 1975, Peter and Di moved to Devon, a vibrant hub for creators active in the Devon Guild of Craftsmen. There, Peter trained with the renowned furniture designer-maker Alan Peters before establishing his own workshop. Meanwhile, Di embarked on her research career in epidemiology. In 1979, Peter gained wider recognition by appearing on the BBC children’s series Play School from his workshop at Otterton Mill near Sidmouth, showcasing his craft to a national audience.
Despite small earnings and long hours, Peter’s furniture-making progress was stellar. Articles in Woodworker magazine praised the sculptural quality of his creations, which skillfully combined American traditions with the Arts and Crafts movement. By 1987, his reputation had grown to the point where he began teaching at Ryecotewood, the esteemed furniture-making and craft college in Oxfordshire.
Teaching Legacy and Influence
After relocating with Di and their children to Buckinghamshire, Peter joined the Ryecotewood faculty full time. He led the fine woodworking course, devised and ran the HND course for B-Tech in fine woodworking and design, and introduced generations of students to an exchange programme with Germany. His inspirational work was so profound that, by the 2000s, more than half of the exhibitors at the Society of Designer Craftsmen’s annual Celebration of British Craftsmanship in Cheltenham were his former students, a testament to his enduring influence on the craft community.
Later Years and Health Battle
After leaving Rycotewood, Peter continued to exhibit his work and teach short courses. In 2012, he was elected to membership of the Artworkers Guild, a prestigious recognition of his contributions. His active retirement in Sidmouth included cycling, gig rowing, and travelling, but it was cut short when he was diagnosed with a rare heart cancer in 2021. Brilliantly treated by the NHS, he made a remarkable recovery, granting him a few more precious years. This period included a very happy 50th wedding anniversary celebration with Di, a cherished milestone in his life.
Surviving Family
Peter Kuh is survived by his wife, Diana, and their children, Nick and Ellie, as well as three grandchildren, Finn, Owen, and Martha. His legacy as a master furniture maker and educator continues to inspire those in the craft world and beyond.
