Henshaw, William

‘The Cabinet & Chair’, South side of St Paul's Churchyard, London; cabinet maker (fl.1754–73)

A member of the Joiners’ Company.

His trade card indicates that he made and sold ‘all Sorts of Glass, Chair and Cabinet Work’. The card is framed in the Rococo manner with figures of Chinamen and engravings of a ribbon-back chair and cabinet on stand in the Chippendale style. Patronage was invited from ‘Gentlemen, Merchants and Others’. Card illus. Furniture History (2015), p. 243.

In 1754 Henshaw subscribed to Chippendale's Director. He took out licences to employ non-freemen in 1757–58 and 1770–72. These licences covered the employment of three or four men only on a short-term basis.

He apprenticed Richard Brocas in 1759 at a premium of £31 10s and William Goldsmith at £10 10s. In 1761 John White was also taken as app. at a premium of £40.

By 1763 his premises in St Paul's Churchyard had been numbered 18 and by 1770 he had taken a partner, Henry Kettle, who was to continue the business alone after c. 1773.

Sources: DEFM; Wood, ‘Tied Up In Knots: Three Centuries of the Ribbon-Back Chair’, Furniture History (2015).