Maitland Smith, currently a division of Heritage Home Group, was founded in 1979 by a well-known London antique dealer and designer. Originally located in Hong Kong to reproduce 18th-century furniture and accessories such as Chippendale mahogany dining chairs and other finely carved and hand-crafted pieces. Use of unique materials i.e. bronze, brass, porcelain, coromandel, wrought iron, leather, shagreen, lacquer, and eggshell required sourcing efforts throughout Southeast Asia. In 1981 their home base shifted from Hong Kong to the Philippines where they built their own manufacturing operation. This change allowed for a broader product offering, greater freedom of creativity to their designers, and better control over their product resulting in higher quality pieces. They were able to add more modern designs to their offerings and additional unique materials such as stone mosaic, rattan, coconut shell, faux tortoise shell, mother of pearl and many other unusual mediums. Each one of their hand-made pieces is a work of art.