THE family of a talented woodcarver Maxie Lane are seeking to restore some of his forgotten work.

They are hoping for someone to help revive some of his creations from around 50 years ago that have been in storage for some 20 years.

Maxie, a renowned woodcarver, artist and author, led an unconventional life which unfolded in various corners of Hampshire for many decades.

Among his creations is what is believed to be the largest Elm sculpture table in existence - ‘The Last Supper Table’ is on display at Furzey Gardens in the New Forest.

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However, Maxie's artistic heritage extends wider. Tucked away in the depths of Maxie's granddaughter Lisa Lane's yard at Ludgershall for 20 years, lie another set of his elm wood creations from the 1970s ripe for restoration. Among them, another immense table, and a collection of chairs, including one sculpted from a hollowed-out tree trunk. The other half to Maxie's tree trunk chair was featured in the Furzey Gardens 'Beautiful Borders’ as part of the BBC’s Gardeners World Spring Fair.

For Lisa, these pieces are more than impressive furniture they are artifacts of a bygone era, akin to discovering a classic vintage car deserted in an old barn.

She said: “The pieces deserve to be appreciated and valued again."

Lisa noted that there are several examples of his work for sale online, in particular a distinctive centre table valued at £16,500.

Charlie Wallrock, owner of Lymington-based Wick Antiques and owner of 30 Maxie pieces, said: “My passion for the unusual is why my stock is so eclectic, maybe eccentric and why I love Maxie Lane's work. He was a maverick and loved the mighty English Elm and when our stock of Elm was decimated by Dutch Elm disease, Maxie set about making furniture in the solid. When on form his work was fabulous and that's why all his pieces in my possession have been looked after and waxed with care to ensure a golden patina; what's not to love?”

Maxie's family are only too aware of how easy it is for former artwork to be lost to obscurity. Lisa reminisces about a time when her mother owned several of his pieces, only to have them spirited away for an exhibition, never to return. When expressing how both eccentric and committed Maxie was, Lisa's mother said: “Maxie was a man who knew how to have a good time, he was a talented author publishing two books and was adored by his grandchildren”.

She recalled how Maxie would spend hours buffing and polishing woodwork, carving pieces and then travelling from pub to pub sell them. 

SEE ALSO: Unorthodox artist Maxie dies aged 104

However, despite the family's determination, their journey has hit an impasse, sparking a plea for assistance. The family seek to enlist the expertise of a skilled craftsman to assist in the reconditioning of the pieces, alongside any social media buffs to promote Maxie's creations. 

The family is seeking pro bono assistance in exchange for exposure. His pieces being too large for their homes, the family aim to eventually place them up for sale, recognising the intrinsic value of these pieces and their potential significance to art enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Maxie who lived in Andover died in 2014 aged 104. At the time his children told the Advertiser: “Maxie was a flawed diamond with many facets – artist, author, sculptor, a fun-loving hellraiser, bar-room brawler, prisoner, Army deserter, animal and nature lover, doting grandad and family man, totally unconventional and anti-establishment."