Ponsonby, Thomas

London; carver, gilder and glass grinder (fl. 1794–1848)

Recorded by Heal at 33 Poultney Street, Golden Square in 1794. At 17 Piccadilly from 1802–19, and then moved to Regent Street where the number was 1 from 1820–27 and no. 32 from 1827.

From 1806 he advertised himself as an English and French plate glass warehouse and in 1825 as ‘British plate glass warehouse and carver & gilder to His Majesty, and T.R.H. the Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Augusta & Princess Sophia of Gloucester’.

By 1835 the business was trading as T. Ponsonby & Son. The firm used labels to identify some of their manufactures, and items noted include a pier glass in a Queen Anne style, and a small gilt octagonal top table with a painted top, c. 1800, which was at Syon House, Brentford. He was also employed by the Duke of Northumberland at Alnwick where his label survives on several looking glasses (illus. Gilbert (1996), figs. 736-737).

Ponsonby’s claims to royal patronage are amply documented. In 1807 a chimney glass was supplied for ‘Her Majesty's Chinese Drawing Room at Frogmore’ which had an enriched gilt frame and cost £170 5s.

From 1838 considerable work was undertaken at Buckingham Palace, which included composition mouldings and tablets to picture frames, many new large gilt picture frames, console pier tables and other work. In total the sums were substantial and in December 1839 an account for £1,492 7s 1½d was submitted.

Other patrons included Chandos Leigh Esq. who bought frames in 1815–16, costing £29 12s and the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry who used his services in 1820 in connection with the furnishing of Wynyard Hall, Co. Durham. Ponsonby was recorded in the Lord Chamberlain’s accounts 1846-48 at Regent’s Circus, Piccadilly.

Sources: DEFM; Joy, ‘The Royal Victorian Furniture-Makers, 1837-87’, The Burlington Magazine (November 1969); Gilbert, Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture 1700-1840 (1996).