Alfred Bucknell, the son of a a village blacksmith began working for Ernest Gimson in about 1903. A smithy was established at Sapperton of which Bucknell became foreman. The larger decorative pieces produced included candlesticks, wall scones, fireirons and firedogs in brass and steel. He made many of the more complicated pieces himself; Edward Barnsley wrote of him 'Alfred was a craftsman of completely outstanding stkill.... It is quite impossible to full appreciate his unique achievements'.