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Nielsen, F. C. (1893-1916)

Nielsen, F.C.; Nielsen, C.F.; Neilson, C. 

London; cabinet maker & joiner (fl.1893-1916)

F.C. Nielsen was engaged by the designer C. F. A. Voysey from about 1900, with his estimated prices shown on Voysey’s designs from 1901. On a trade card of c. 1902 (illus. Livingstone, Donnelly & Parry (2016), p. 165), Nielsen described himself as an ‘Art Cabinet Maker, and Architectural Joiner’, ‘Speciality – French Interiors’. The card also noted that he had been awarded a Diploma at the National Workmen’s Exhibition of British Skilled Industries in 1893. The address on this trade card, 9 Union Mews, Wells Street, W. was annotated to 56 Davies Mews, Davies Street, London.

Nielsen's name was sometimes spelt Neilson and the initials shown as C. or C.F. in the catalogues and indexes of the Arts & Crafts Exhibitions, London, 1893-1916. Taking into account the regular errors in these publications and lack of genealogical details available, the following information is currently presumed to all be by the same maker.

1893 - a rosewood table, designed by G.T. Irwin and made by C. Neilson (Graham & Biddle), (cat. no. 194). Probably F.C. Neilson.

1903 - designs by C.F.A. Voysey including an armchair (cat. no. 105), chair (cat. no. 394x), dining room at Birkenhead (cat. no. 394bb. & 394ee.) and an inlaid workbox (cat. no. 394jj.). This catalogue records this maker as C.F. Nielsen.

1910 -  designs by C.F.A. Voysey and made by F.C. Nielsen included a folding table, price £9 9s (cat. no. 359), music stand, price £3 3s (cat. no. 382), armchair, price £4 4s (cat. no. 425). F.C. Neilson exhibited a bookcase made by – Petersen, price £28 (cat. no. 365). The index shows his address as 24 Cleveland Mews, Howland Street, SW [W].

1916 – designs by C.F.A. Voysey and made by F.C. Nielsen included an oak music stand also made by Jacko, price £2 10s (cat.283), a clock case, price £10 10s (cat. no. 300). The index shows his address as 5 Mornington Street, NW. 

Livingstone, Donnelly & Parry (2016) illus. various Voysey designed furniture possibly, probably or firmly attributed to Nielsen: carving table probably by Nielsen (pl. 207), armchairs probably by Nielsen (pl. 201), two oak armchairs with rush seats (pls. 248 & 251), clock (pl. 206), writing desk (pl. 234), table (pl. 275), sideboard (pl. 276), work box (pl. 206). In the collection of the V&A is a circular oak table, c. 1903.

Image
Made by Nielsen
Copyright (Attribution/Credit)
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Circular oak table designed by Voysey, designed 1903; made 1905-1906. [W.19-1981] © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O11159/table-c-f-a/

The Geffrye Museum has an ebony, ivory and copper alloy clock in their collection. A chair, table, clock and sideboard all probably made by Nielsen for Voysey’s commission for the Essex & Suffolk Equitable Insurance Society, Capel House, London, in 1906-07 is  illus. Livingstone, Donnelly & Parry (2016), pls 274-276 & 278) and a sideboard for Miss Charlotte McKay is illus. Livingstone, Donnelly & Parry (2016), pl. 281).

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