Cleare, Thomas

‘The Indian Chair’, south side of St Paul's Churchyard, London, cabinet maker (fl.1724) 

His trade label has been recorded on a walnut kneehole writing desk sold at Sotheby's on 26 March 1976, lot 47 (illus. Gilbert (1996), figs 213- 214). The label illustrates an early Georgian chair, with central shaped splat, framed by an ornate carved mirror. The text states that he ‘makes and sells all Sorts of Cabinet Work and Looking Glasses, as Sconces, and Corner Cupboards. Likewise Blinds for Windows of all Sorts, painted on Wier or Canvass and all Sorts of Chairs of the newest and best Fashion, Wholesale or Retail and Reasonable Prices’. A gilt gesso looking glass, c.1725, has Clear’s label on the backboard (illus. Gilbert (1996), fig. 215, sold Bearne’s, 24 Jan 1990, lot 24). He is probably the same person as the Thomas Cleare of the parish of St Giles-in-the-Fields who declared his trade as ‘joyner’ and on 17 March 1724 insured a house on the north side of Holborn, in the parish of St Giles for £150. 

Source: DEFM; Gilbert, Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture 1700-1840 (1996).