Philip Burke Antiques

...mirrors. After his retirement in 1776 his business was carried on by his son, Junior. Folwell, John: Philadelphia master cabinet-maker of the Chippendale school (fl. 1775)5 whose works, according to Hornor, 'are unsurpassed in historic appeal and artistic significance'. Just before the Revolu¬tion, Folwell solicited subscriptions for his proposed book of American furniture draw¬ings, titled The Gentleman and Cabinet-maker's Assistant. In consequence, he is sometimes called 'the Chippendale of America'.

Frothingham, Benjamin:

Foremost cabinet-maker of Charlestown, Mass. (fl. 1756, d. 1809), Several soberly elegant pieces, such as a block-front chest of drawers and a reverse serpentine desk, still bear his label. Son of a Boston cabinet-maker, Benjamin became a major of artillery in the Revolution and counted his commander-in-chief, General Washington, as a friend.

Gaines, John:

gifted cabinet-maker of Ipswich, Mass. (fl. 1724, d. 1743), earlier of Portsmouth, N.H. He may have originated the Queen Anne chair variants which com¬bine the solid splat with the earlier caned Flemish and banister-back chairs. His son, George, a major in the Revolution, also became a well-known cabinet-maker.

Gillingham, James:

skilful cabinet¬maker of Philadelphia (b. 1735, d. 1791). Several of his Gothic Chippendale chairs, with distinctive, trefoil-pierced slats, have been identified.

Goddard, John:

the originator, perhaps together with his brother-in-law, John Town-send, of block-front and shell-carved cabinet furniture. Widely reckoned the foremost Rhode Island furniture-maker of his day (b, 1723/4), d. 1785). Apprenticed to Job Townsend, of Newport, whose daughter he married. His sons, Stephen and Thomas Goddard, became first-class cabinet-makers. (See Townsend, John.)

Gostelowe, Jonathan:

outstanding Phila¬delphia cabinet-maker (b. 1744, d. 1806). His mahogany furniture in late Chippendale patterns is unsurpassed. He designed several patterns of his own, among them 'imposing serpentine and fluted-corner chests of drawers'.

Harland, Thomas:

sometimes called the ablest Connecticut clockmaker of his day (fl. 1773, d. 1807). A number of his workmen became well-known clockmakers on their own, including William Cleveland, grand¬father of the twenty-second President of the United States, Grover Cleveland.

Hopkins, Gerrard:

Baltimore cabinet¬maker (fl. 1767-93), trained in Philadelphia. Especially remembered for his furniture in the Chippendale manner. Son of another furniture craftsman, Samuel.

Hosmer, Joseph:

Concord, Mass., cabinet-maker (fl. 1775). He learned his trade from an American Frenchman, Robert Rosier. He produced skilful and distinctive works, often in cherry or other New England woods. In 1775 his house, barn, and shop were burned by the British. Later that year, as a lieutenant of Minute-men, Hosmer became an historical figure. Shouting 'Will you let them burn the town down?' he led the attack on Concord bridge, in which the British suffered their first defeat in the American Revolution.

Lannuier, Charles Honore:

New York cabinet-maker (fl. 1780-1819). Perhaps trained in France, he produced elegant, often elaborate, furniture, and is especially remem¬bered for his work in the Directory style. His pieces are often attributed to Phyfe.

Lemon, William:

master cabinet-maker of Salem, Mass. (fl. 1796). Of peerlessly refined skill, he is noted for his superb furni¬ture in the Hepplewhite manner.

Mclntire, Samuel:

famous architect, woodwork designer and carver of Salem, Mass. (b. 1757, d. 1811). A superior crafts¬man, he is by some students considered the leading American furniture-carver, especially of Sheraton ornament in the Adam (classical) manner. There has been hot controversy as to whether or not he was a cabinet-maker. There is no documentary proof that he was. His son, Samuel, also did furniture-carving.

Moore, Robert:

brother of Thomas and William, all cabinet-makers of prominence in pre-Revolutionary Baltimore (fl. 1769).

Nash, Thomas:

Prevoius Page.

Next Page....