Muntzer, Frederick & George (1900-1940)
Muntzer, Frederick & George
London; builders, decorators, valuers and upholsterers, furniture makers (fl.1900-40)
Frederick Muntzer snr. was recorded him as a paper hanger (aged 35), living at 23 Milner Street with his wife & son Frederick jnr. (aged 9) in the 1861 census. He was then described as a draftsman when Frederick jnr. married Mary Blanche Reekes, the daughter of John Reekes, paper hanger, on 24 February 1876. Frederick & Mary’s sons, George Frederick (b.1876-d.1942) & Thomas (b.1881-?) followed into the family business of builders, decorators and upholsterers.
Frederick jnr. was a draughtsman (aged 30) living at 13 Ellingham Road, St Paul’s, Hammersmith in 1881 and a designer decorator at same address in 1891. By 1911 he was described as a decorative artist (aged 60) living in Farncombe, Godalming, Surrey. The firm of Frederick Muntzer was listed at 16 Dover Street, W & 9 Walton Street, SW3 as upholsterers and decorators 1900-1905.
Probably the Muntzers best known work was carried out for the architect/designer, C. F. A. Voysey. They executed some interior woodwork for him, including that at Garden Corner, Chelsea Embankment, a house which was remodelled for the businessman and MP, Emslie Horniman, in 1906-07. George Muntzer was also listed as maker of a large upholstered armchair, which was exhibited at the Arts & Crafts Exhibition Society Exhibition, 1903 (North Gallery, recess no. 12, 394.m. price £12 12s). The armchair to a Voysey design dated 4 December 1902, which specified Austrian oak and plain coverings.
About 1906-07 Voysey designed Littleholme, Guildford, for George Muntzer, who's short-lived sibling, Thomas, was one of Voysey’s pupils. By 1911 Frederick jnr. was living nearby in Farncombe, Godalming, Surrey, later recorded with the address of Raglan, Farncombe. He died in 1936 with probate granted to George. The 1911 census recorded George Muntzer, decorative artist (aged 34) living with his wife, Kathleen, at Littleholme; Voysey was also in residence with them at this date. George died in 1942 in Surrey.
The firm continued to make furniture for Voysey as late as 1940. Another client was Edwin Lutyens. Lutyens’ daughter, Mary, recorded that George Muntzer undertook all his upholstery work; this was probably during the period of 1915-25. In the early 1920s Princess Marie Louise, cousin of King George V and childhood friend of Queen Mary, and Lutyens formed a committee to build a doll's house for the Queen.

Lutyens designed Queen Mary's doll's house in the full Palladian style. It was commissioned by Princess Marie Louise for Queen Mary, 1921-4 [RCIN 231999]. Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2023

Doll's house parlour, 1921-4 [RCIN 231999]. Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2023

Doll's house bedroom, 1921-4 [RCIN 231999]. Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2023
George Muntzer, Lutyen's principal upholsterer, held the office of honorary decorator for this project and possibly supplied some of the upholstered furniture. The house was shown at the British Empire Exhibition 1924, and is now displayed at Windsor Castle.
Muntzer & Son was listed at 25 Dover Street, W & 9 Walton Street, SW3 as upholsterers and valuers in directories 1930-41.
Sources: Lutyens, Mary, Edwin Lutyens (1980); Hussey, The Life of Sir Edwin Lutyens (1984); Livingstone, Donnelly & Parry, C F A Voysey Arts & Crafts Designer (2016).
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