Christopher Dobson

In 1985 Chris Dobson founded a studio to reconstruct and restore armor and edged weapons. In his professional life since then, he has worked for, in and around museums in the field of arms and armor for over 30 years. In 1995 his academic approach to his craft led to his appointment as Master Armourer to the Royal Armouries, and he was presented to the Queen at the inauguration of his new studio at the Royal Armouries Museum. Chris Dobson is the only Master Armourer in the West to have his title officially recognized. Over the years he has been a regular lecturer at the Wallace Collection, London, and he organized and lectured at the two International Arms and Armour Conferences in Florence (2003) and Vienna/Graz (2005). Chris is available to make bespoke armour and edged weapons for your leading characters, and as an acknowledged expert in the field of arms and armor from the Classical World to the 17th century, he can also provide consultancy for costume and art departments, and is available for TV and radio interview.

From the outset Chris's research encompassed Italian art and history, and he has published books on the art, architecture and history of Florence, and the close links between Italian arms and art. In 2005, he was consultant on the BBC TV program The Battle of San Romano, part of the series The Private Life of a Masterpiece. Florentine art and history are a fundamental part of his work. As an historian, he is unique in the museum world: doing scholarly research and curatorial work for collections, but grounded in the 'hands-on' experience of an artist and Master Craftsman. He is available as a consultant or for interview on Italian art, architecture and history. He speaks Italian fluently.

Chris Dobson is based in Italy.