Jarvis, J. W. and M. (1871-1900)
Jarvis, J. W. and M.; Jarvis, Matthew
City Road & Curtain Road, London; furniture makers, upholsterers and patentees (fl.1871-1900)
The 1871 Post Office Directory lists this firm at 12 Old Street Road, described as cabinet makers and billiard & bagatelle table makers.
The Furniture Gazette, 16 May 1874 announced they were about to take the premises at 2 & 3 Wood Street, Old Street, because they were extending their business.
By 1882 J. W. & M. Jarvis was listed at 60 City Road where they remained for at least four years [The Furniture Gazette: Classified List of the Furniture, Upholstery and Allied Trades, 1886].
J. W. & M. Jarvis were the probable makers of the gothic oak chairs and couches designed by E. W. Pugin for the Granville Hotel, Ramsgate, c.1869-70.
The Furniture Gazette, 25 October 1879, published an article on the firm’s new ‘automatic’ revolving bookstand, described as being capable of holding 180-200 books. It was included in their extensive display along with sideboards, tables, chairs, cabinets and overmantels at the 2nd Furniture Trades Exhibition, Agricultural Hall, 1882. Specially noted was an American walnut writing table with a stationery well and cupboard [The Furniture Gazette, 13 May 1882].
The partnership was dissolved in March 1884 [The Furniture Gazette, 22 March 1884]. Matthew Jarvis set up his own business in Curtain Road and participated in the Furniture Trades Exhibition, Agricultural Hall, London, 1884, where he displayed Austrian bentwood chairs [The Furniture Gazette, 10 & 17 May 1884].
A bill (above) dated c.1900 for M. Jarvis, cabinet maker and upholsterer at 62 Great Eastern Street, for an oak table (price £2 13s), is included in the Graham Gadd Archive (NMS). This document illustrates Jarvis's patent open sesame table.
Sources: Shutler, ‘Identifying Edward Welby Pugin’s Furniture for the Granville Hotel: some observations and a theory’, The Decorative Arts Society 1850 to the Present (2018); Graham Gadd Archive (NMS).
Material
Ornamentation/Design
Style