John Linnell (cabinet maker)
Encyclopedia
John Linnell was an 18th-century cabinet-maker and designer.
There is speculation that in the last years of his life John Linnell entered a partnership with his relative Thomas Tatham (1763–1817). However the evidence is not conclusive. Thomas Tatham went on to be a partner at one of London's fashionable cabinetmaking and upholstery business owith George Elward, Edward Bailey and Richard Saunders. They were principal cabinet-makers to George IV and this firm worked at Carlton House and Buckingham Palace.
Thomas Tatham and his brother Charles Heathcote Tatham
were trained in drawing and design by John Linnell. Linnell introduced C. H. Tatham to Henry Holland who later funded his educational trip to Rome. In 1796 when C. H. Tatham learned of Linnell's death, he was in Rome and wrote to Henry Holland, who had his home in Sloane Ave, Knightsbridge - that he was deeply upset by John Linnell's death. Upon his return to London he compiled a selection of 355 of John Linnell's drawings and designs, which his brother Thomas Tatham had inherited. These drawings now survive at the V&A.
' Chinese Bedroom at Badminton House.
John Linnell was also commissioned by Nathaniel Curzon
, 1st Baron Scarsdale at Kedleston
Hall, Derbyshire. Linnell delivered furniture from c.1760
Another important patron was the banker Robert Child. Osterley Park House
, Middlesex remains very much as it did in the 18th C when John Linnell supplied furniture for the Childs. Robert Adam
was the architect there.
of George III. Several designs were submitted for this important commission. It is thought that the architect Robert Adam
also submitted designs. It was the King's architect William Chambers
, who produced the final design.
Biography
Linnell was in charge of one of London's largest cabinet-makers firms of the 18th century with many important and prominent patrons. The Linnell firm was created in 1730 by William Linnell (c.1703–63), and was inherited by his son John Linnell in 1763. The firm moved from 8 Long Acre in St. Martin's Lane, London to 28 Berkeley Square in 1750. From 1763 to his death John Linnell continued to develop the business his father had established and his reputation grew. However, due to his unconventional lifestyle, he left no heir to his trade and the fate of the firm after his death is uncertain.There is speculation that in the last years of his life John Linnell entered a partnership with his relative Thomas Tatham (1763–1817). However the evidence is not conclusive. Thomas Tatham went on to be a partner at one of London's fashionable cabinetmaking and upholstery business owith George Elward, Edward Bailey and Richard Saunders. They were principal cabinet-makers to George IV and this firm worked at Carlton House and Buckingham Palace.
Thomas Tatham and his brother Charles Heathcote Tatham
Charles Heathcote Tatham
Charles Heathcote Tatham , was an English architect of the early nineteenth century.-Early life:...
were trained in drawing and design by John Linnell. Linnell introduced C. H. Tatham to Henry Holland who later funded his educational trip to Rome. In 1796 when C. H. Tatham learned of Linnell's death, he was in Rome and wrote to Henry Holland, who had his home in Sloane Ave, Knightsbridge - that he was deeply upset by John Linnell's death. Upon his return to London he compiled a selection of 355 of John Linnell's drawings and designs, which his brother Thomas Tatham had inherited. These drawings now survive at the V&A.
Patrons
One of John Linnell's first jobs as a designer in father's firm was for a suite of furniture for Charles Somerset, 4th Duke of BeaufortCharles Somerset, 4th Duke of Beaufort
Charles Noel Somerset, 4th Duke of Beaufort was the younger son of Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort, and his second wife, Rachel Noel. Because his brother had no issue, on 24 February 1746, on his brother's death, he succeeded him and became 4th Duke of Beaufort, the 12th Lord Herbert, and the...
' Chinese Bedroom at Badminton House.
John Linnell was also commissioned by Nathaniel Curzon
Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Baron Scarsdale
Sir Nathaniel Curzon, 5th Baronet, of Kedleston, created 1st Baron Scarsdale was an English Tory politician and peer....
, 1st Baron Scarsdale at Kedleston
Kedleston
Kedleston is a village and civil parish in the Amber Valley district of Derbyshire. It lies to the north-west of Derby, and nearby places include Quarndon, Weston Underwood, Mugginton, and Kirk Langley.-History:...
Hall, Derbyshire. Linnell delivered furniture from c.1760
Another important patron was the banker Robert Child. Osterley Park House
Osterley Park
Osterley Park is a mansion set in a large park of the same name. It is in the London Borough of Hounslow, part of the western suburbs of London. When the house was built it was surrounded by rural countryside. It was one of a group of large houses close to London which served as country retreats...
, Middlesex remains very much as it did in the 18th C when John Linnell supplied furniture for the Childs. Robert Adam
Robert Adam
Robert Adam was a Scottish neoclassical architect, interior designer and furniture designer. He was the son of William Adam , Scotland's foremost architect of the time, and trained under him...
was the architect there.
Design for the State Coach of George III
John Linnell submitted designs for the State CoachGold State Coach
The Gold State Coach is an enclosed, eight horse-drawn carriage used by the British Royal Family. It was built in the London workshops of Samuel Butler in 1762 and has been used at the coronation of every British monarch since George IV...
of George III. Several designs were submitted for this important commission. It is thought that the architect Robert Adam
Robert Adam
Robert Adam was a Scottish neoclassical architect, interior designer and furniture designer. He was the son of William Adam , Scotland's foremost architect of the time, and trained under him...
also submitted designs. It was the King's architect William Chambers
William Chambers
William Chambers may refer to:*William Chambers , 18th century Scottish architect*William Chambers *William Lee Chambers, judge*William Chambers , illegitimate son of the above...
, who produced the final design.