Reich, Henry & Sons, Charles

London; cabinet makers, marquetery and buhl cutters (fl. 1861-95)

Henry Reich & Sons were recorded in Post Office Directory 1881 at 57 Castle Street East, Oxford Street as marquetrie and buhl cutters.

The 1861 census recorded Henry (b. 1812 in Prussia) with an extended family living at 8 John Street, Tottenham Court Road. At this date Henry was listed as a cabinet maker.

In 1871 Henry C. A. Reich, was listed as marquetrie cutter living at 57 Castle Street East with his English born wife. Their sons, Charles (aged 30, b. Paris), Henry (aged 27, b. Liverpool, Lancashire) and Cornelius (aged 22) & Louis V. (14) both born in London.

Charles Reich was recorded as the marquetry cutter for the top of an octagonal table, designed and made by Thomas Jacob in 1876 [Furniture Gazette, 14 October 1876]. Mr Reich, not specified which one, also carried out the marquetry work of the vases on the chimney-piece and clockcase suite exhibited by Jackson & Graham at the Paris Universelle Exposition, 1878. The RSA Artisan Report on this exhibition described the Reich family as a 'clever family, who have cut the greater part of the marquetrie in the English section'.    

By 1881 only Henry & Charles were listed at the same address; Henry’s trade being fancy cabinet maker, and Charles’ cutter artisan. Henry died in 1882. The only references after this date were the Post Office Directories, 1891 & 1895, which listed Henry (probably error and it was Charles) at 20a Clipstone Street as marquetrie cutter.