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Elsley, Thomas & Co. (1882-1916)

Elsley, Thomas & Co.

London; manufacturer of metalwork (fl.1882-1916)

London Post Office Directories listed Thomas Elsley, art metal worker, patent lock makers and wholesale ironmonger, at 32 & 38 Great Portland Street, 19 Little Portland Street and 30 Great Titchfield Street in 1882; 32 Great Portland Street, 26 Little Portland Street & 26 Great Titchfield Street in 1891 and Thomas Elsley & Co., cabinet ironfounders & lock makers, at 20, 22, 26, 28 & 30 Great Titchfield Street (1902).  

The firm produced much of C. F. A. Voysey’s metalwork at its foundry. A photograph of their wares dated c.1900 and a slightly later Elsley catalogue showing Voysey’s designs for furniture work etc., is illus. Livingstone, Donnelly & Parry (2016), pls.294, 296 & 363. James Morton (son of Alexander Morton, textile manufacturer) on his marriage and setting up home in 1901 bought fire irons made by Elsley’s.

Elsley’s metalwork was included in various Arts & Crafts Exhibitions, London, 1890-1916:

1890 – litany desk for Grantham Church, designed by Reginald T. Blomfield with wood work and carving by W. Aumonier and W. Aumonier Jun., featured brasswork by Elsley (415)

1896 – fender of steel, brass, and aluminium designed by A.H. Skipworth and executed by Thos. Elsley & Co. (295); park gates, part of, wrought iron, designed by Reginald Blomfield and executed by Thomas Elsley and assistants (482), 

1899 – two cabinet hinges, designed by C.F.A. Voysey and executed by F. Elsley (479) 

1903 – electric reflector pendant, designed by W.B. MacDougall and executed by Thos. Elsley Ltd (465); wrought iron candlestick designed by Christopher Dean (481); brass lamp for electric light, price £24 10s, designed by Walter Cave and executed by W. Kuhlman, L. Summerland and J. Webb (500)

1910 – pair of wrought-iron fire-dogs and fender executed by Thomas Roles (549)

1916 – memorial panel for Khartoum Cathedral, designed by Robert S. Weir, model executed under the direction of Laurence Turner and cast by T. Elsley, Ltd (273) 

The index of these Exhibition catalogues listed Elsley's address as 28 Great Titchfield Street (1910 & 1916)

Sources: Arts & Crafts Exhibition catalogues, 1888-1916; Livingstone, Donnelly & Parry, C F A Voysey Arts & Crafts Designer (2016).