Seminar: The Early Eighteenth Century Furniture Trade
Join us on Zoom this Wednesday the 10th of November from 4.00pm to 7.30pm (GMT), when three scholars will consider various aspects of British furniture making during the early eighteenth century
A scarlet and gilt-japanned secretaire cabinet (c.1730), attributed to Giles Grendey. Recently sold to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Image: Thomas Coulborn and Sons
Furniture for London Merchants, Adriana Turpin
Adriana will consider the lives and output of some of the most prominent furniture makers of this vibrant and prosperous period, including Giles Grendey and John Channon. She will look in particular at how makers developed their trade practices to allow for efficiency in manufacture to meet the demands of the burgeoning London furniture trade and its voracious consumers.
Fantasy and Exuberance: English rococo furniture makers as craftsmen and designers, Professor Jeremy Howard
In this lecture Professor Howard re-examines the relationships between craftsmen and designers in England during the age of the rococo and analyses the sources and influences (French, Oriental and Gothic) which underlay that astonishingly eclectic and exuberant style.
The talk will explore the virtuoso carvings and exuberant designs of Matthias Lock and Thomas Johnson; the seminal designs and productions of Chippendale and his workshop; the early work of the Linnell workshop; the Francophile interiors at Chesterfield House and Norfolk House, which provided a backdrop to rococo furniture in England; the contribution of foreign craftsmen such as Pierre Langlois; and the unbridled fantasy of Luke Lightfoot's carved chinoiserie decorations at Claydon House.
Exploring seventeenth and eighteenth century furniture making, David Wheeler
In his presentation, David Wheeler will examine pieces from the Royal Collection Trust to explain their making, materials and techniques. He will consider pieces by well known makers such as Gerrit Jensen, Benjamin Goodison and William Vile. Drawing on the wealth of material in the Royal Collection, he will cover topics such as carving and gilding, veneers and marquetry, with the aim of better understanding the complexities and inventiveness of British furniture making at this time.
BIFMO is grateful for the support of the Foyle Foundation and the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art
You can get further information and book tickets on the FHS Website or on Eventbrite
If you have any queries, please email: bifmo@furniturehistorysociety.org.
The image in the title is a detail taken from a card table by Giles Grendey's workshop, c.1735-40 [Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Accession number 37.114]. Made available by a Creative Commons CCO .1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.