V

V

Vachette, Z., 14 Charles St, Manchester Sq. and 35 Marylebone Lane, London, u and mattress maker (1835). [D]

Vago, Joshua, 12 Oxford St, London, looking-glass and picture frame maker (1835–39). [D]

Vaile, J. P., 32 Warwick St and South St, Worthing, Sussex, cm and u (1823). [D]

Vaisey, Ann, Brittox, Devizes, Wilts., cm and u (1830). [D]

Vaisey, Ann Sadlington, Market Pl., Chippenham, Wilts., u (1830). [D]

Vaisey, John, Brittox, Devizes, Wilts., cm etc. (1822). [D]

Vaisey, Richard, Chippenham, Wilts., cm and u (1822). [D]

Vaizey, John, Devizes, Wilts., cm (1793). [D]

Valentine, T., Bevois St, St Mary's St, Southampton, Hants., carver (1839). [D]

Valentino, Dan., 4 New Inn Yd, Shoreditch, London, bedstead maker (1839). [D]

Valiant (or Vallant), George, Pulham (St Mary), Norfolk, chairmaker (1744–48). Took apps named Barber in 1744 and Lincoln in 1748. [S of G, app. index]

Valinder, John snr, Guildford, Surrey, cm (1796–1835). Recorded at Quarry St in 1796 and High St, 1806–35. [Poll bks]

Vallance, John & Evans, Samuel, address unrecorded, joiners and chairmakers (1823–26). Carried out general jobbing work and supplied some furniture for St James's Palace, Hampton Court, Kensington Palace and for the Houses of Parliament, 1823–26. The Royal accounts for the quarter ending 5 July 1824 list furniture provided for St James's Palace, including a range of deal presses costing £32 8s, two folding deal tables, £3 18s, and a ‘strong framed bedstead fitted complete in press’, £2 9s. The accounts for the quarter ending 5 April 1825 list a ‘rising state canopy’, £16 10s, a ‘Grecian elbow chair’, £6, 2 high square stools’, £7 10s, and a footstool, £1 12s 6d. [PRO, LC11/41–50]

Valliant, George, London, frame maker (1711–20). Named in the receipt book of Samuel Tufnell of Middle Temple, London, who in 1710 bought Langley's, Great Waltham, Essex. An undated entry records payment to Valliant of £6 ‘in full for four black & Gold frames’. On 16 January 1711 he received £1 10s ‘in full for a half length Lackerd frame’; on 8 June c. 1714, £3 ‘in full for a hole length frame’; and on 6 September c. 1714, 10s for packing a picture. [Essex RO, D/DTu 276] He is probably the Valliant, frame maker of London, who charged £31 2s to 1st Duke of Portland for ‘what is Due in London for Equipage, Furniture, workmanship &c. to August 1721’. [Notts. RO, Pw B90]

Valois, Gabriel, St James's, Westminster, London, later USA, repairer of carved work, carver and gilder (1768–73). In London, took app. in September 1768 for £2; and app. named David Lorimer on 19 October 1772 for £2. Recorded in USA newspapers in 1773 as a carver and gilder from Paris, late of London. [PRO, IR 1/25 and 27; A. C. Prime, ‘The Arts and Crafts in Philadelphia, Maryland and South Carolina 1721– 1785. Gleanings from Newspapers’, Walpole Soc., 1929]

Van Dem Helm, —, over against Compton St, by St Ann's Wall, Soho, London, Dutch table maker (1711). Named in contemporary newspapers. [Heal]

Vanderbost (or Vanderhorst), C., 38 Skinner St, Bishopgate, London, u (1826–29). [D]

Vandergucht, Gerard, London, carver, gilder and picture dealer (1754–79). Heal records his trade card, 1761, and reference to him, dated 1779, in W.J. Whitley, Artists and their Friends, 1700–99. Of St George's, Hanover Sq., Vandergucht took app. named William Nicholls in 1762 for £15; and of St George's, Bloomsbury, Francis Patton, son of Thomas, of St Margaret's, Westminster, in 1763, for £31 10s. Subscribed to Chippendale's Director, 1754. [V & A archives]

Vandiso (or Vandiozo), —, address unrecorded, picture frame maker (1685). Supplied picture frames costing £18 and £19 5s to Gorhambury, St Albans, Herts. on 22 May and September 1685. [Herts. RO, Gorhambury accounts bk, XI 22]

Vanerba, Cornelius, London (?), carver (1686). The accounts of Sir William Bruce for Kinfour, dated June 1686, mention money due to Vanerba for work done. See Peter Paull Boyse.

Van Gelden, —, address unrecorded, carver (1790). Recorded in the account book of Sir George Cornewall of Moccas Court, near Hereford, and Stanhope St, London on 5 June 1790 receiving £3 16s 9d. [Herefs. RO, Moccas papers]

Van Haesen, —, Jermyn St, London, cm (1737). Named in contemporary newspapers. [Heal]

Vanhausen, Thomas, London, chair and cm (1739). Notice in London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 24 October 1739, read: ‘To be sold by Hand … all the Genuine Household Goods and Stock in Trade of the ingenious Mr. Thomas Vanhausen, Chair and Cabinet Maker, eminent in his Profession for his many and beautiful designs in the Cabinet Way: consisting of Pictures, large Glass Sconces in carv'd and gilt Frames …’.

Vanhegan, Samuel, 39 Thomas St, Liverpool, chair and cm (1796). [D]

Vanhuissen, Francis, London, cm (1683). Admitted ‘in the place & quantity of Cabinet Maker in ordinary to His Ma^ty’ in 1683. [R. W. Symonds, Furniture Making in 17th and 18th Century England, p. 105]

Van Opstal, Louis, London, carver (1652–d. 1683). With John van der Stein carved the throne and dais in St George's Hall, Windsor. Worked at Versailles and Marly, 1681–83. [Information from G. Jackson-Stops]

Van Ruyven, Samuel, at ‘The George’, south side of St Paul's Churchyard, London, cm (1722–28). Heal records him in contemporary newspapers and insurance co. records.

Vant, Thomas, Coventry St, London, u (1749). [Poll bk]

Varden (or Vardam), Frederick, Clapham, London, cm and u (1776–78). Took out Sun Insurance policies in 1776 for £200 of which utensils, stock and goods accounted for £110; and in 1778 for £500, utensils, stock and goods accounting for £200. [GL, Sun MS vol. 245, p. 512; vol. 262, p. 422]

Vardy (or Vardie), Thomas, London, carver (1751–88). Recorded at Park St, 1762–63. Took apps named John Davis in 1751, John Page in 1756, Aubrey Evans in 1758, John Crake in 1763 and William Farnborough in 1765. Admitted to the Livery of the Joiners’ Co. on 3 October 1753, and as a master in 1788. Subscribed to William Chambers's A Treatise of Civil Architecture, 1769. Brother of John Vardy, the architect, who designed furniture for Lord Spencer at Spencer House, Green Park and Althorp, Northants. The two brothers may have collaborated in designing and making frames. Thomas is named in his brother's will, dated 13 April 1762, which also left £700 for the apprenticeships of his sons, Edward and John, and to the latter all his books on architecture. An app. of Thomas Vardy, named John Clarke, lived with John Vardy snr in order to assist Thomas in his business; and Clarke continued to do so, later living with John jnr. Thomas is named in the accounts for Cobham Hall, Kent on 11 December 1773, receiving £41 9s ‘for the Attic freezes of the chimney pieces at Cobham & two D° for two Doors in Drawing Room’; and £100 for ‘work done in other Freezes of chimney pieces &c.’ On 22 December 1774 Thomas Vardy was paid £250 for carving work at Cobham. Thomas is named in Henry Holland's notebooks, c. 1770 for supplying two marble chimney-pieces for Lord Hillsborough's house near Westerham, Kent, now called Valence, and largely rebuilt in the 19th century. [D; GL, Joiners’ Co. records; H. L. Phillips, Annals of the Worshipful Company of Joiners, 1915; A. Coleridge, Chippendale Furniture, p. 50; Conn., January 1962, p. 12; PRO, C12 49/48, 7 June 1768, PCC 239, Rushworth; D. Stroud, Henry Holland, p. 25; Wills, Looking-Glasses; Colvin; Dictionary of British Architects; V&A archives]

Vardy, Thomas, Green St, London, carver (1774). [Poll bk]

Vargur, John, St David, Exeter, Devon, cm (1803). [Exeter Militia list]

Varguitz, Phillip Butz, Exeter, Devon, cm and victualler (1781). Took out a Sun Insurance policy in 1781 for £200 of which £130 accounted for utensils and stock. [GL, Sun MS vol. 295, p. 310]

Varham, Vincent, Ashford, Kent, upholder (1760). Took app. named Grant in 1760. [S of G, app. index]

Varley, Henry, St Helens, near Prescot, Lancs., cm (1802). [Preston Guild record of burgesses]

Varley, John, Gt Yarmouth and Norwich, cm (1818–42). Polled at Gt Yarmouth, 1818–20, of Norwich in 1826; and listed in directories at Surrey St, Norwich, 1839–42.

Varley, John, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, Yorks., turner and u (1837). [D]

Varley, William, Lancaster, cm (1785–86). [Lancaster freemen rolls]

Varney, Frederick, St Mary Hall Lane, Oxford, printseller, carver and gilder (1830). [D]

Varney, Thomas, High Wycombe, Bucks., chairmaker (b.c. 1806–41). Daughter bapt. in 1834, son in 1837. Aged 35 at the time of the 1841 Census. [PR(bapt.)]

Vastell, Edward, Guildford, Surrey, u (1757). Took app. named Smith in 1757. [S of G, app. index]

Vaughan, —, 53 Regent St, Cheltenham, Glos., cm (1839). [D]

Vaughan, Alexander, Paradise St, Liverpool, cm (1790–96). Trading at no. 31 in 1790, no. 28 in 1794, and no. 32, with warehouse at no. 33, in 1796. [D]

Vaughan, Edward, Coventry St, St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, chairmaker (1715). Took out a Hand in Hand Insurance policy with George Vaughan in November 1715 for £150 on house and workshop. In 1715 Edward Vaughan charged £30 for ‘a chair lined with blue damask with case and poles to it discharged for my Lady Duchess’, probably the Duchess of Montrose. [GL, Hand in Hand MS vol. 15, p. 212; Scottish RO, GD 220/6/19/p. 70] See George and Samuel Vaughan, and Vaughan, Holmes & Griffin, sedan chairmakers of Coventry St.

Vaughan, Edward snr, Lower Castle St, Bristol, cm (1805–12). [D]

Vaughan, Edward jnr, 11 Charles's St, Bristol, cm (1805–07). [D]

Vaughan, Edward, Betrice St, Oswestry, Salop, cm and joiner (1822). [D]

Vaughan, George, London, sedan chairmaker (1728–59). Heal records him in newspapers as Chairmaker to the Prince of Wales in Coventry St, near Haymarket, 1730–47. He was still there in 1749 when H. Purefoy visited him. The V & A archives record from an unspecified, undated source that he displayed goods at 67 New Bond St. Submitted bills to the Prince of Wales, 1728–45 for cleaning, oiling, gilding and repairing sedan chairs; and in 1738 for hiring out mourning chairs. Described as ‘Mr. Vaughan, King's Sedan Chairmaker, making a rich sedan for Princess Royal, against her marriage’, in Read's Weekly Journal or British Gazetteer, 9 June 1733. Notice in General Advertiser, 13 October 1748 stated: ‘Two curious fine Chairs are making by Mr Vaughan, in Coventry-street, which were bespoke by Count Bentinck, and are to be sent over to Holland for their Serene Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Orange.’ Polled at Westminster, 1749. Although at first a Royal chairmaker, Vaughan was later patronized by prominent Whig politicians. He was mentioned in a letter from Sir Robert Walpole to Sir Horace Mann, dated 25 February 1750, as having been dismissed by the Prince of Wales for voting for Lord Trentham: ‘… one of his black caps was sent to tell this Vaughan that the Prince would employ him no more. “I am going to bid another person make His Royal Highness a chair”. “With all my heart”, said the chairmaker, “I don't care what they make him, so they don't make him a throne.”’ [The Purefoy Letters, 1735–53, ed. G. Eland, pp. 108, 358–59; Duchy of Cornwall archives, Royal Household accounts, Prince of Wales, vols. 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 14, 18; Harris & Sons, Old English Furniture, p. 29; V & A archives] Named in the 1746 London account of the Rt Hon. Earl of Stair, with Messrs Campbell & Bruce, bankers. [Scottish RO, GD 135/Box 55/31] John Forrett's account current with the Rt Hon. Earl of Burlington mentions Mr Vaughan, chairmaker of London, on 24 March 1746, receiving £11 18s; and the tradesmen's accounts for March 1759 note payment to him of £2 3s 6d. This may, however, refer to Samuel Vaughan. [Burlington papers, Chatsworth, folio account bk f. 77 and f. 21] He is probably the Vaughan, chairmaker, named in the accounts for Panshanger, Herts., dated 9 May 1749, receiving £6 10s. [Herts. RO, Book D/EP A2] See Edward and Samuel Vaughan; and Vaughan, Holmes & Griffin of Coventry St.

Vaughan, George, Nantwich, Cheshire, chairmaker (1792–1834). Recorded at Hospital St, 1822–34. Married on 5 August 1792. Daughter Elizabeth by wife Sarah bapt. on 26 January 1794. Children by wife Martha bapt.: Margaret on 8 October 1798, Thomas on 1 September 1802, Mary on 24 August 1805, and George on 26 September, 1809. [D; PR (marriage and bapt.)] Probably father of, and confusion with:

Vaughan, George jnr, Nantwich, Cheshire, chairmaker (b.1809?–1850). Married Francis Davies on 24 December 1835. Trading at Hospital St in 1850. [D; PR]

Vaughan, Henry, St John's, Worcester, cm and u (1835–40). [D]

Vaughan, John, Prince's St, Leicester Fields, London, upholder (1760–74). Probably the Vaughan at this address noted by Heal in newspapers in 1760. Polled at Westminster, 1774.

Vaughan, Joseph, near ‘The Red Lion’, Whitechapel Rd, London, cm (1775). Took out a Sun Insurance policy in 1775 for £100 of which £30 accounted for utensils and stock. [GL, Sun MS vol. 245, p. 165]

Vaughan, Mary, 7 All Saints’ St, Bristol, chairmaker (1828–35). [D] Succeeded Robert Vaughan, and succeeded by Thomas Vaughan, at this address.

Vaughan, Robert, All Saints’ St, Bristol, chairmaker (1820–26). Trading at no. 4, 1820–21, and no. 7, 1823–26. [D] Succeeded by Mary, then Thomas Vaughan.

Vaughan, Samuel, London, sedan chairmaker to their Majesties and the Royal Family (1751–72). Recorded at Piccadilly in 1751 and at Coventry St, Piccadilly, 1763–72. [D] Submitted a bill to Lord Monson dated 26 January 1751 for a total of £63 4s 6d. The Monson papers also record payment to S. Vaughan on 30 January 1770 of £2 2s, and to Samuel Vaughan in 1771 of £17 3s ‘for a Sedan Chair 16 × 16 for Miss Monson & Cypher’. [Lincoln RO, Monson 11/9; 10/1/A/3] The Earl of Ancaster paid Sam Vaughan, chairmaker, £50 4s on 14 May 1755; and £22 15s on 14 May 1761 for work done from 1755 to 1 June 1760. [Lincoln RO, 2 ANC 6/7–8] The Sherborne accounts (7th Lord Digby) note under 1763 a payment to ‘Mr Vaughan, Chairmaker £37. 13s.’ The Croome Court accounts record payment on 28 September 1764 of £101 3s 10½d for building a lady's sedan chair, the ‘ornaments as by Mr. Adam's directions’. A bill, dated 1766 in the Nostell Priory papers, is for a lady's sedan chair costing £48 8s. [V & A archives] In Thomas Bridgeman's account of payments made to creditors of Francis, Marquess of Tavistock after the latter's death in 1767, Vaughan is shown as having received £3 15s on 25 March, but items are not specified. [Bedford Office, London] On 19 March 1770 Vaughan charged Sir Gilbert Heathcote, Bart a total of £6 8s 6d for oiling, cleaning and ‘gold lackring all the brass’ on a sedan chair, making ‘new rich white silk curtains’, festooned and with ‘a rich silk fringe’ and white tassels, and painting the poles. [Lincoln RO, 2 ANC 12/D/29] Supplied chairs to Petworth. [Apollo, May 1977, p. 362] See Edward and George Vaughan, and Vaughan, Holmes & Griffin, sedan chairmakers of Coventry St.

Vaughan, Samuel, Broadmead, Bristol, cm, u and furniture broker (1829–40). Trading at no. 4, 1829–34, no. 3, 1835–40, also no. 1 in 1840. [D]

Vaughan, Thomas, Bristol, Windsor and fancy chairmaker (1801–40). Trading at Rosemary St in 1801; Merchant St, 1805–10; 46 Merchant St, 1815–19; and 7 All Saints’ St, 1827 and 1836–40. [D] See Mary and Robert Vaughan.

Vaughan, Thomas, 14 Court, Snowhill, Birmingham, cabinet case maker (1830). [D]

Vaughan, Thomas, 66 Constitution Hill, Birmingham, cm (1835). [D]

Vaughan, William, 20 Porter St, Soho, London, cm (1826–27). [D]

Vaughan, Holmes & Griffin, Whitcomb St, Coventry St, Leicester Fields, London, sedan chairmakers (1774–77). Recorded at no. 1 in 1775. [D] See Edward, George and Samuel Vaughan.

Vaut, Thomas, Coventry St, Westminster, London, u (1749). [Poll bk]

Veal, Edwin, 14 Somerset Buildings, Bath, Som., cm (1833). [D]

Veal, J., Bathwick Hill, Bath, Som., cm (1819). [D]

Veal, William, Bristol, cm, chairmaker and undertaker (1799–1840). Recorded at Baldwin St, 1799–1801; 2 King St, 1820–30; no. 12, 1831–39; and 2 Thomas St in 1840. [D]

Veale, Jarvis, Church Sq., Dartmouth, Devon, cm (1830). [D]

Veary, James, West Wycombe, Bucks., chairmaker (b.c. 1816–41). Aged 25 at the time of the 1841 Census.

Veere, Henricke, Gray's Inn Lane, London, cm (c. 1655–66). [Hogarth Soc., 1911, p. 69]

Velin, John, Shambles, Bradford, Wilts., cm and u (1822–30). [D]

Vellum, Henry, Cripplegate Buildings, London, cm (1835). Damage of premises by fire reported in Gents Mag., September 1835.

Venables, James, Chester, cm (1831). Admitted freeman on 25 April 1831. [Chester freemen rolls]

Venables, John, address unrecorded, upholder (1732–70). Son of John Venables, distiller of Southwark, London. App. to Ambrose Pearman on 6 December 1732, and admitted freeman of the Upholders’ Co. by servitude on 2 May 1770. [GL, Upholders’ Co. records]

Venables, John, 21 Earnest St, Regents Park, London, cm and u (1839). [D]

Venes, Henry, 16 Marshall St, Golden Sq., London, cm and u (1829–39). [D]

Venn, Henry, 6 Dean's Row, Walworth, London, cm and dealer in household goods (1809–11). Took out a Sun Insurance policy on 5 November 1810 for £350, £180 on stock, utensils and goods in trust in his house and workshops; and £120 on workshop behind house, and one nearby in Penton Pl. [D; GL, Sun MS vol. 452, ref. 850392]

Venner, Samuel, 3 Little Queen St, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, cm (1789). Took out a Sun Insurance policy in 1789 for £100 on household goods and clothes in the house of Mr Price, printseller, at above address. [GL, Sun MS vol. 362, p. 478]

Venning, Edward, London, looking-glass maker (1826–39). Trading at 8 Coburg Pl., Old Kent Rd in 1826, 1 Cornbury Pl., Old Kent Rd, 1826–27, and 28 Wigmore St in 1839. [D]

Venning, William, 43 Cleveland St, Fitzroy Sq., London, carver and gilder (1835–39). [D]

Venoe, Charles, Falmouth, Cornwall, cm (1757). Took app. named Pascoe in 1757. [S of G, app. index]

Ventris, William, London, upholder (1704–34). Son of Sir Peyton Ventris, Knight of Ipswich, Suffolk. App. to Edward Rabett on 3 May 1704, and admitted freeman of the Upholders’ Co. by servitude on 7 April 1714. Took apps named William Fox, 1714–31, and John Berrow, 1718–26/27. [GL, Upholders’ Co. records] Documents note that ‘since 1711 Ventris and family loged at Strand in houses of Brothers Brydges of St Clement Danes, woollen drapers’; and c. 1723 that he was ‘now of the Parish of St. Bridgett in the City of London upholdsterer’. [PRO, C11, 240/43] Heal records him in newspapers at Salisbury Ct, Fleet St, 1724–31, and Essex St in 1734. Of Salisbury Ct, served as Collector for the Poor at St Bride's in 1727; and was fined for non-service in one office in 1731. [GL, MS 6561, p. 46]

Verdier (or Verdur), William Francis, 39 Drury Lane, London, cm and u (1821–23). Recorded also at 136 Long Acre in 1823. Took out Sun Insurance policies on 29 November 1821 for £350 including £100 on household goods and musical instruments in his house at 39 Drury Lane; on 9 September 1822 for £500 on nos 39–40; and on 14 May 1823 for £300. [D; GL, Sun MS vol. 493, refs 985710 and 995701; vol. 498, ref. 1005049]

Vere, Joseph, Dale St, Liverpool, chairmaker (1774–47). Trading at no. 126 in 1774 and no. 35 in 1777. [D]

Veree, Joseph, back of 29 Crosshall St, Liverpool, chairmaker (1790). [D]

Verga, John Marie, Macclesfield, Cheshire, carver, gilder and tea dealer (1828–34). Trading at Market St in 1828 and Mill St in 1834. [Goodison, Barometers]

Verhuyck, —, address unrecorded, carver (d. by 1709). Elizabeth Verhuyck claimed £136 in 1709 on behalf of her late husband, for work he had done at Boughton, Northants. and Montagu House, London. [Boughton archives, Executors’ accounts, 1st Duke of Montagu; Beard, Georgian Craftsmen]

Verhyck (or Verrick), James, Piccadilly, London, carver (1749). [Poll bk]

Verlander, Simon, Colchester, Essex, joiner (1727–37). Admitted freeman in 1727, and described as a joiner in 1731. Children bapt. in 1733 and 1737. Lacquered corner cabinet recorded, inscribed on base: ‘Simon Verlander/att Colchester’.

Vermaltte, Charles (?), London, carver (1680?–1682). In 1680(?) a Jean Vermaltte, schoolmaster, arrived from Dieppe with his son, 18, a carver, and sister-in-law, Sichely. They were granted a total of £2 18s Threadneedle St Relief. On 8 March 1681/82, denization was granted to John Vermaltte, his wife, Anna, and a Charles Vermalette, possibly their son. [Hogarth Soc., 1949, p. 185]

Vernal, John, Worcester, cm and u (1796). App. to Robert Crump, cm and u, and admitted freeman on 27 June 1796. [Worcester freemen rolls]

Verney, William, 32 Buross St, Commercial Rd, London, chair and sofa maker (1835). [D]

Vernon, Edward, Long Acre, St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, cm (1709–17). Heal records him in the rate bks, 1709. Trading at ‘The Hen & Chickens’, when he took out a Sun Insurance policy on 10 January 1716/17, on goods and merchandise in his house. [GL, Sun MS vol. 6, p. 120]

Vernon, George, address unrecorded. Stamp recorded on a late George III mahogany piano stool with circular swivelling upholstered seat and four splayed, reeded, tapering legs. [Sotherby's, 9 January 1981, lot 140]

Vernon, Matthew, Ludgate St, London, upholder (1724–34). [Poll bks]

Vernon, Richard, 5 Dean's Pl., Shudehill, Manchester, chairmaker (1813). [D]

Vernon, Thomas, Bishops Waltham, Hants., u (1727). Took out a Sun Insurance policy on 27 March 1727 for £300 on goods and stock. [GL, Sun MS vol. 23, p. 476]

Vernon, Thomas, London, cm (1751). Admitted freeman of Liverpool on 5 September 1751. [Liverpool freemen reg.]

Vernon, Thomas, near Air St, Piccadilly, London, upholder and cm (1776–99). Recorded at 22 Piccadilly in 1779. Named in 1776 regarding a Sun Insurance policy taken out by Robert Kennett, and took out a policy himself in 1778 for £1,200 of which £850 accounted for utensils, stock and goods. Declared bankrupt, Gents Mag., February 1780. Trade card [V & A Print Dept] bears inscription within frame of corn swags, female nudes and foliage scrolls. Card reads: ‘VERNON, near AIR STREET, PICCADILLY, LONDON. UPHOLDER, CABINET MAKER, APPRAISER and AUCTIONEER, where designs of every Article in the above Branches are Executed from the Neatest and Plain to the most superb.’ [D; GL, Sun MS vol. 263, p. 485]

Vernon, Thomas, 5 Prince's St, Leicester Fields, London, upholder and cm (1782–88). Took out Sun Insurance policies in 1782 for £600, £500 accounting for utensils and stock; and on 1 February 1787 for £300 on a house in Bishopsgate, tenanted by Michael Pearson. Declared bankrupt, Leeds Intelligencer, 18 March 1788. [D; poll bk; GL, Sun MS vol. 304, p. 543; vol. 343, p. 55] Possibly T. Virnon.

Verral, —, 99 North St, Brighton, Sussex, u (1805). [D] Possibly Henry or William Verrall of Brighton.

Verall, David, Neckinger Rd, Bermondsey, London, bedstead maker (1839). [D]

Verral(l), George, ‘in the Cliff’, Lewes, Sussex, u, tallow chandler and auctioneer (1762–85). Advertised sale of brandy in Sussex Weekly Advertiser, 27 December 1762; and on 2 December 1771 that he wanted an app. ‘to a country SHOPKEEPER’. Advertised auctions in the same paper, 10 September 1781 and 26 May 1783. Took out Sun Insurance policies in 1779 for £600, including £210 on utensils, stock and goods; and on 25 June 1785 for £200 on utensils and stock. [GL, Sun MS vol. 278, p. 571; vol. 329, p. 543]

Verrall, George jnr, Lewes, Sussex, u and auctioneer (1794). [D]

Verrall, George Henry, 18 High St, Cliff, Lewes, Sussex, u, paper hanger, undertaker and furniture broker (1823–41). [D; poll bks]

Verrall, Henry, Brighton, Sussex, cm, u and furniture broker (1820–41). Recorded at Duke St in 1820; New Rd, 1822–36; no. 29, c. 1822–27; and no. 33 in 1832. Children by Jane Verrall bapt.: Henry Robert on 21 June 1822; William Edward on 17 November 1826; John on 10 April 1829; George James on 23 February 1831; Emma on 2 November 1833; and Elizabeth Catherine on 22 February 1826. [D; E. Sussex RO, PR (bapt.)]

Verrall, William, 9 Nile St, Brighton, Sussex, upholder and tallow chandler (1793–1800). [D]

Verrall, William, Chapel St, Worthing, Sussex, turner and chairmaker (1832–45). [D]

Verrick, James, Piccadilly, London, carver (1749). [Poll bk]

Verscragen, James, Preston, Lancs., cm (1704). Recorded as a leading cm in Preston who on 5 October 1704 was summoned for failing to give town officials the names of his apps. [Preston exhib. cat., Polite Society by Arthur Devis, p. 36]

Verscraggen, John, Preston, Lancs., cm (1702–d. by 1742). Listed in the Preston Guild record of burgesses, 1702 and 1722. Dead by 1742 when his son John was listed.

Versovile, —, London (?). On 20 June 1747 he was paid £1 16s in full ‘for 2 Gilt frames for little Pictures’, supplied to Earl Fitzwalter for Moulsham Hall, Chelmsford, or Schomberg House, Pall Mall, London. [A. C. Edwards, The Accounts of Benjamin Mildmay, Earl Fitzwalter, p. 192]

Vevers (or Verers), Richard, Halegate, Howden, Yorks., joiner and cm (1834). [D]

Vial, —, Hull, Yorks., cm. Worked at Burton Constable Hall, Yorks. [C. Life, vol. CLIX, no. 4118, pp. 1476–78]

Vial(l)(s), Thomas, London, carver, gilder and picture frame maker (1756–d. by 1780). Recorded at Gt Newport St in 1756 and 1763; and polled of Leicester Sq. in 1774. [D] Viall, picture frame makers, Gt Newport St, supplied frames to Longford Castle, Wilts. from 1756. [C. Life, 26 December 1931, p. 717] Thomas Vialls, carver and gilder, submitted two bills for work carried out at Wilton House, Wilts., 1758– 59, totalling £458 9s 3½d, and in 1759, £12 8s. The bills are concerned mainly with carving in the house interiors, but also mention ‘carving a Chimney Glass Frame with Vine Leaves & Grapes’, and ‘carving a bold rich ovale frame for a Plaster Coat of Arms for over the Hall Chimney’. [V & A archives] Two bills from Thomas Vialls survive in the Bedford Office, London. The first, dated December 1760, is for ‘woodwork for the ground glew'd up’, and carving a large crest, probably part of the decoration of Woburn Abbey after Flitcroft's rebuilding for John, 4th Duke of Bedford. In March 1767 Vialls was paid 16 guineas ‘for a picture of Queen Elizabeth’. This may refer to a frame for the Armada portrait of Elizabeth I by George Gower in the Long Gallery at Woburn. From October 1766 to November 1768 Vials, carver and gilder, supplied to Shelburne House, Berkeley Sq., London, ‘Ornaments, Glass and Picture Frames, Gilding Etc.’ costing £71 6s. [Bowood MS] On 1 September 1768 Thomas Vialls received payment from the 3rd Earl of Darnley of Cobham Hall, Kent, for picture frames, including one for Dance's portrait of Lady Darnley. [C. Life, 10 March 1983, p. 570] The private accounts of Richard Hoare of Boreham House, Essex, record payment to Vialls of £2 8s for a picture frame on 23 March 1776. [Essex RO, D/Du 649/2] Dead by 12 March 1780, when ‘The Hon. Gentlemen of the Dilettanti Society's Bill to the Executors of the Late Mr. Viall, Carver’ was presented. Totalling £42 8s, it listed ‘Two Large Burnished Gold Frames, Carved with Antique Eggs, Ribbons and Water Leaf outside, with a Scrolling Fluted Frett, Rich Ornament Tops, with Shield and Palm Branches, For Pictures Painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds’, and included 8s ‘to Self and Three Men to Fix up the Two Pictures over the Chimneys’. [L. Cust, History of the Society of Dilettanti, 1914, p. 222] Succeeded by:

Vials & Co., Leicester Fields, London, carvers and gilders (1784). [D]

Vialon, John, address unrecorded, cm (1803). Subscribed to Sheraton's Cabinet Dictionary, 1803.

Vicarman, Richard, formerly of St James, late of St Giles-in-the-Fields, London, cm and upholder (1761). Discharge from Debtor's Prison reported in London Gazette, 16 June 1761.

Vice, John, Truro, Cornwall, cm and chairmaker (1756–68). Took apps named Hoskins in 1765 and Johns in 1759. [S of G, app. index] Notice in Sherborne Mercury, 23 May 1768, read: ‘John Vice, in Pyder-street, Truro, Begs Leave to acquaint the Public, That they may be supplied with all Sorts of Goods in the Cabinet and Chair Branches, In the neatest Manner, on reasonable Terms: Likewise Looking-Glasses, of various sorts and sizes …’.

Vick, Christopher Wren, 132 North St, Brighton, Sussex, carver, japanner, gilder and ornamental painter (1831–41). Recorded also at 148 North St in 1839. Named in the Windsor Royal Archives on 30 June 1833 providing ‘6 Elbow Chairs —Japanned w. various Chinese devices & twice Varnished’, costing £5 8s; on 14 October 1833 a ‘Cheval Glass in King's Bed Room — regilt in mat & Burnished Gold’, £7; on 31 December 1833, ‘Painting a Sideboard in Imitation Bamboo & 3 times Varnished’, £2 10s; and on 31 December 1834, supplying ‘12 Chairs Japanned Bamboo pattern & China characters in Tablet-backs Twice varnished’, £4 10s. From 30 June 1835 to 30 June 1841 Vick worked at Brighton Pavilion, on 30 June 1836 receiving £1 4s for ‘Painting, graining & twice varnishing two new stools for Chapel’: and on 30 June 1839, charging for ‘Cleaning, regilding, Painting & Ornamenting Chairs, Sofas, Looking Glass frames and Sundry other jobs; throughout the principal suite of Apartment’. He also revarnished a set of forty-eight bamboo chairs at the Pavilion. Carried out jobbing work at Buckingham Palace, charging £7 1s 4½d, which included ‘21 days and 7½ hours’ work painting and running gild lines on tables for Queen's Drawing Room’. [D; Windsor Royal Archives, account bks, 1833–41, V; PRO, LC11/80, 86 and 100; E. T. Joy, English Furniture, 1800–1851, p. 187]

Vickerman, James, Hull, Yorks., cm (1818–39). Trading at 32 New Dock St, 1818–20, and Deighton's Entry, High St, 1838–39. [D]

Vickers, —, Northgate, Blackburn, Lancs., cm (1834). See Wolstenholm & Vickers.

Vickers, J., Cheese Mkt, Oundle, Northants., cm/joiner (1823). [D]

Vickers, Samuel, Sheffield, Yorks., chair turner (1790). [Lincoln poll bk] Possibly:

Vickers, Samuel, Lincoln, chairmaker (1806). Admitted freeman in November 1806. [Lincoln freemen rolls]

Vickers & Rutledge, Conduit St, Hanover Sq., London, upholders, cm and undertakers (c. 1775–80). Trade card states they were ‘Successors to Mr. [Thomas] Bailey at their Manufactory, Conduit Street’, and is framed by two draped gadrooned bedposts and cornice carved with acanthus scrolls centring on a vase, and palmettes at the ends. Card illustrates a Louis XV dressing table and glass, and later Adam-style armchair with oval back filled with a palmette, stuffed seat, serpentine front and turned legs. The chair is similar to satinwood chairs at Kedleston Hall, Derbs. [Heal; C. Musgrave, Adam and Hepplewhite Furniture, p. 128]

Vickerson, Ralph, Pilgrim St, Newcastle, joiner and cm (1782– 1801). [D]

Vickery, J. C., Regent St. Stamp recorded on undated boulle matchbox holder. [V & A archives]

Vidale (or Vidall), Counzs, 6 New Lisle St, Leicester Sq., London, carver and gilder (1809). Took out a Sun Insurance policy on 10 February 1809 for £1,700 including £300 on stock, utensils and goods in trust and in workshop. [D; GL, Sun MS vol. 448, ref. 828310]

Vidale & Paget, 6 New Lisle St, Leicester Sq., London, lookingglass manufacturers, carvers and gilders, wholesale and retail coach glasses etc. (1807). [D]

Vidall, William, 97 Wardour St, London, carver, gilder, picture frame and looking-glass maker (1822–39). Took out a Sun Insurance policy on 17 July 1822 for £500 on his house. [D; GL, Sun MS vol. 493, ref. 993596]

Vidler, Joseph, Salisbury, Wilts., upholder (1805–22). Recorded at High St in 1822, also as a cm. [D]

Viel, John, Bath, Som., cm (1785–95). Took out a Sun Insurance policy on 16 April 1785 for £130 on household goods and £200 on utensils and stock. [GL, Sun MS vol. 328, p. 94] Declared bankrupt with Matthew Viel, Derby Mercury, 15 January 1795.

Viel, Matthew, Borough Walls, Bath, Som., upholder and auctioneer (1805). [D] Probably:

Viel, Matthew, address unrecorded (1803–05). Submitted bills for work carried out at Corsham Court, Wilts. in 1803 charging £34 15s 7d, and in 1805, £397 8s 7d. Items listed include ‘6 Gothic chairs — caned seats & backs’, £9, and ‘to adding & thickening up the Sideboard making new gothic legs and arches’, £6 6s. [V & A archives]

Viels, Messrs. F., Grove St, Bath, Som., cm and auctioneers (1793). [D]

Vierne, John Peter, address unrecorded, cm (1742). Notice in a newspaper of July 1742 reads: ‘John Barrett discharged from his apprenticeship with John Peter Vierne, cabinet maker. He alleged that he had served for two years and had been employed in making picture frames, or work of the like kind, and that his master did not make any cabinet maker's work above one piece in a year, “having none to do”; and that his master was frequently so needy “as not being able to buy wood for his work or provisions for the family”, so that the petitioner “was obliged to live several meals on bread and water”.’ [Winterthur, Delaware, Symonds papers, 75×69.29]

Vigers, John, Camberwell Green, London, cm and u (1839). [D]

Vigers, William, Church St, Lane End, Staffs., cm and u (1828– 35). [D]

Viggan, —, Silver St, Golden Sq., London, cm (1749–51). See Richard Wiggan.

Vigor, M. G., Old Park, Bristol, cm and paper hanger (1814– 17). [D]

Vigor, Matthew, Bristol, cm, undertaker and appraiser (1818–25). Addresses given at 16 and 17 Broad St, 1818–22; no. 17 in 1823; and 2 St John's Bridge, ‘from 16 Broad St.’, 1824–25. Declared bankrupt, Exeter Flying Post, 1 February 1821. [D]

Vigor, William, Bristol, cm, upholder and undertaker (1801–17). Trading at 16 Broad St in 1801, and nos 16 and 17, 1805–17, as William Vigor & Co. in 1805. A drawing in the Bristol Art Gallery of the Mulberry Tree Tavern shows the signboard of ‘W^m. VIGOR CABINET MAKER’. [D]

Vilder, Joseph, Salisbury, Wilts., u and cm (1798). [D]

Vile, Joseph, Roslyn St, Hampstead, London, cm and u (1839). [D]

Vile, William, Castle Lane (later 72 St Martin's Lane), London, cm (c. 1700/05–d. 1767). William Vile was born early in the 18th century, probably in Somerset. A search of local records shows the name of Vile in profusion, but it may always elude us as to which William Vile of the many the cm was. The problem will perhaps only be solved by the chance discovery of revealing documentation. The clues which might have been afforded by his father's will are denied through the destruction of all Vile (and other) wills proved in the Taunton Archdeaconry, in Second World War air-raids on Exeter. 24 were listed in 1912. [E. A. Fry (ed.). Taunton Wills, 1577– 1799, British Record Soc., 1912] It is assumed Vile was born in Somerset as the name is common there (much less so in Dorset) and because Vile in his own will left money to a relative at South Petherton. Its parish registers [Somerset RO, D/P Sea, 2/1/1–5] contain many mentions of various Vile families. There is also a tomb to a Thomas Vile (d. 8 July 1788) near the church entrance at South Petherton.

However, genealogical browsings are not hard evidence, and the first documented appearance of William Vile is on 10 August 1749 when he wrote to George Selwyn. The letter [Castle Howard archives] makes it clear that his ‘Master’ was William Hallett snr. [Furn. Hist., 1975] Vile was supposedly a journeyman in Hallett's employment. We have no evidence of his apprenticeship, but I believe he and Hallett met in the West country, as Hallett came from a prosperous Crewkerne family (which later settled at Little Dunmow, Essex). Vile married a Sarah (surname unknown but almost certainly Strickland) in the late 1730s. A child, William Waldron Vile, was born to them and bapt. at St Paul's, Covent Gdn on 2 June 1740. [PR] Sarah outlived her husband and was paid money by his surviving partner, John Cobb, in 1767–68. [Cobb's bank account, 1767, f. 161, 1768, f. 161, Drummonds Branch, Royal Bank of Scotland] The new partnership turned to William Hallett snr to back them with finance when they set up on their own. The rate bks show that they set up in the New St ward of St Martin-in-the-Fields. [Westminster Ref. Lib., F. 527] They show for 1751 ‘William Vile & Co’. By 1752 they were paying rents of £62, £29, £29 and £30 on 4 premises in Castle Lane. On 5 June 1752 William Hallett had left Newport St, and moved to St Martin's Lane. He took the house next door to ‘William Vile & Co’. On 4 June 1755 Hallett's name is crossed through [ibid., F. 536] and John Cobb took it over, a further indication of Hallett moving into ‘retirement’.

In these early years the firm took as apps Thomas Plaistowe on 23 December 1752 for £60; and John Daniel on 27 February 1753 for £63. In the same years John Cobb was taking apps: James Lewis on 13 June 1752 and as ‘John Cobb Upr’, Martin Freeland, 20 December 1754. Intermeshed activity that led them forward with Hallett's backing. The firm evidence for this is in the bank accounts of Hallett, Vile and Cobb (Drummonds). Vile opened his account in 1758, and Cobb did so in 1759. It might be assumed that as they became successful they started to pay money to the elder Hallett, but some of the entries are for money to Hallett jnr. From 1756 Hallett snr's account shows cash in from Vile and Cobb in amounts of £150 to £300, almost monthly. For example the 1758 account reads:

In 1758 William Hallett jnr received from Vile £100, and on 5 April 1760 his father received ‘Cash from Vile £500’. The 1761 payments are heavier: 3 March, £1,000, 26 June, £350, 10 July, £400, 28 December, £600. In 1763 there was a payment on 7 March from Vile of £1,000, but I have noted no further payments. This accords with Vile's own ‘retirement’ in 1764, and payments out to Hallett & Vile are then only in Cobb's account — for example £500 to Vile on 19 February 1767, and £500 to Hallett 19 November 1768. Money was paid to Mrs Vile by Hallett after her husband's death, in accordance with the terms of his will. Further support for the ‘& Co’ of the title is shown by Samuel Reynolds receiving money for Hallett, and then moving into Vile & Cobb's service.

The furniture that Vile made, in partnership with Cobb, was done between about 1751 and 1764. The large body of furniture attributed to Vile which is of the 1740–50 period must probably be given to his master, Hallett snr or perhaps to Benjamin Goodison or John Boson (d. 1743). It may well be that the carved foliated ovals which appear on some documented Vile furniture (e.g. the breakfront bookcase, 1762, for Queen Charlotte) was a Hallett characteristic. For example a mahogany secretaire cabinet, of which the breakfront upper part was surmounted by a broken pediment, with a centre portion with carved ovals, Vitruvian scroll, the lower part with three doors centred by an oval from the coll. of the Duke of Buckingham at Stowe (Sotheby's, 28 May 1971, lot 53, illus.) — and which relates to similar cabinets at the V & A, and Portsmouth Museums — must be by Hallett, or are very early Vile in a Hallett style. There are also commodes (formerly St Giles's, Dorset, Christie's, 27 March 1952, lot 75, now V & A Museum, W. 74—1962; Coleridge, Chippendale Furniture, pl. 9) and a rosewood one (Christie's, 22 October 1953, lot 101) which have been attributed to Vile on stylistic grounds. The whole problem awaits a documented breakthrough: the large literature on furniture attributed to Vile is useful mainly only for the illustrations (e.g. C. Life, 7 October 1954, pp. 1154–56). Finally to add some further confusion the foliated oval which, as noted, has become almost inseparable from attributions to Vile appears on the sides of a mahogany table press supplied to Holkham by Benjamin Goodison in 1757 (Apollo, February 1964, p. 127, pl. 10). It may be evidence for the use of a specialist carver such as Sefferin Alken supplying them to several makers — I suggested this in 1977 (Burlington, July 1977, p. 485).

Vile's royal service (with his partner Cobb) did not begin until 1761 — (warrant dated January 1761) — and his name first appears in the accounts for the quarter ending Lady Day of that year. [PRO, LC 9/306 No. 29] His involvement with several important pieces still in the royal collections has been told often enough [GCM, pp. 51–56; Derek Shrub, V & A Bulletin, I, No. 4 (October 1965) pp. 26–35; Burlington, July 1977] and the items are listed below. However a careful collation of the surviving archives [PRO, LC 9/306, Nos 29, 30, 54, 71, 75; 9/307, Nos 7, 21, 56, 84; 9/308, Nos 8, 22; 9/ 309, Nos 10, 35, 54; 9/310, Nos 4, 8, 25, 29, 60, 91] and several in the Royal archives at Windsor [Nos 55476, 55496–98] throw up several problems in respect of these celebrated examples of Vile's fine workmanship.

Vile's royal accounts had been variously signed on his behalf by John Bradburne and William France, but seemingly for the last time on 13 December 1764. [PRO, LC 9/214] On 31 May 1763 the Master of the Great Wardrobe appointed William France ‘in the room and place of William Vile and John Cobb discharged’. [PRO, LC 5/57] No reason was given for their discharge when the appointment of France was confirmed on 25 June 1764. In the first quarter of 1763 Vile's account had an entry, ‘deduct £75 for over charge in the Japan Room’ (in the Queen's House) and his bill was reduced from £858 18s to £783 18s. [PRO, LC 9/308] This however could have had little to do with the matter, but perhaps Cobb's known overbearing manner proved too much for George III and his officers. However the St James Chronicle note of Vile's death (below) recorded that he was ‘formerly an Upholder … but had retired’, and this may have been the sole reason for the cessation of the Warrant — a man near 65 years?

We known very little of Vile's private life. His will gives some indication of his style of living, with two houses in ‘town and country’. He was made a Fellow of the Society for Arts and Manufactures in 1758, retaining it until his retirement six years later. Apart from Cobb's continuation of their business, Vile's nephew William Strickland joined with Jenkins ‘late foreman to Cobb’ to set up. Their trade-card [Heal] noted the relationship and employment. The carver and gilder William Beaumont succeeded ‘Mr Vialls’ whom Heal confused, incorrectly, with William Vile. He was Thomas Vials who worked for Adam at Lansdowne House. [A. T. Bolton, The Architecture of Robert and James Adam, II, p. 314]

Vile & Cobb's name first appears in the London directories in 1750, and it is entered until 1765. They are noted at 72 St Martin's Lane, on the corner where it joins Long Acre. Chippendale's premises were near. Most of their bills are headed ‘Messrs Vile & Cobb, Cabbtt Makers, Upholders &c. The Corner of Long Acre’, (variants occasionally put Cobb's name first, and note their services as undertakers). Cobb occupied the premises after Vile's death (1767) until his own in 1778.

The firm's fire insurance record has been first noted for 1752. [GL, Sun MS vol. 95, ref. 129677]: (a) ‘… on their Household Goods, Utensils and Stock in Trade, and Goods in Trust in their now Dwelling houses, being Three Houses, Land together and in & over the Warehouses & Workshops, only Communicating with the Same, part Timber, situate as aforeside, not Exceeding Seventeen Hundred Pounds. On their Glasses therein only, not Exceeding Three Hundred Pounds. On their Stock in their Yard only, belonging to the Said Dwelling … (Total £2,600).’ (b) [GL, Sun MS vol. 111, ref. 147043]: 11 June 1755. Insured for £4,500, Glass £500, Stock in Yard £1,000. Total £6,000 — a further policy in the same vol. is ref. 147142. Cobb took out insurance on his household goods in the house he had ‘over a gateway, leading into the yard of Messrs Vile & Co in St Martin's Lane’ in 1755. [ibid., vol. 110, ref. 147142]

Together with the sculptor (John or Henry) Cheere, Sir William Chambers, James Paine and Ince & Mayhew, Vile & Cobb were directors of the Westminster Fire Office. [E. A. Davies, An Account … of the Westminster Fire Office]

Vile's will [PRO, Prob. 11/932, f. 357] of 24 August 1763, with a codicil of 9 November 1764, was proved on 23 September 1767. Vile had died on 22 August 1767 [St James Chronicle, 22/25 August 1767] He described himself as ‘of the parish of Saint Martin in the Fields, Cabinet Maker and Upholder’. He bequeathed to his wife, Sarah, two houses at Battersea Hill, together with all household effects and the sum of £300. His nephew John Strickland was left his gold watch, and his other nephew William Strickland his wearing apparel. Those in his employ ‘John Bradburn, Samuel Reynolds and William Eversley’ received £20 each. The will continues: ‘whereas for many years past I have been and am now engaged with my Copartner John Cobb in very extensive Branches of Trade and not having lately made any sort of stock to enable me to judge with any certainty of the Totall Value of my Estate and Effects, and I having the greatest opinion of the honour ability and Integrity of William Hallett of Cannons … and of my friend Charles Smith of Portugall Street … Upholder and Cabinet Maker give and bequeath … all my Estate Goods Chattels … upon the Trust and for the purpose herein declared … the trustees being empowered to settle … accounts depending between me and the said John Cobb’.

Vile then left smaller legacies to his niece Sarah Strickland, to William Strickland (who was app. to him in 1762), to ‘James Humphrey and Sarah Humphrey late of South Petherton … Somerset, but now of London, my cousins’, to ‘William Humphrey of Middle Lambrook … Somerset, farmer, my Kinsman’, and to ‘Betty Hulett, wife of William Hulett of Sherborn … Dorset, Brasier’ £100 ‘apiece for the trouble they may have’. The name does appear to be Hulett and not Hallett (a reading which would compound the enigma of the liaison). The codicil stipulated that Bradburn, Reynolds and Eversley were to be ‘my servants at the time of my death’ to receive their £20, implying some, or one, of them had quitted Vile's employment. This may refer to the establishment of an independent establishment by John Bradburne, and to his succeeding to the Royal Warrant. A later marginal addition shows that in 1782 Hallett was deceased — he died in December 1781 — but Sarah Vile was still living.

It is a measure of the rigorous training enjoyed in a good apprenticeship that Vile should rise in a comparatively short time to provide fine furniture to the Royal family, and to noble patrons. He may have owed some of this in both training and financial support to William Hallett snr and to his equally talented but imperious partner, John Cobb.
THE VYNE, Hants. (Anthony Chute). 1752–54: 2 accounts for furniture and furnishings, supplied by Vile & Cobb in 1752– 53, similarly worded — one for £120 16s 4¾d — the other for £121 13s 4¾d. The first for £121 plus starts on 19 May 1752, ‘Due on a bill deliver'd’ 19s, and therefore implies earlier work. The bills include the whole range of furnishing provision; carpeting, festoon curtains, beds, bedding, ‘neat Mahogany Chairs Stuff'd in linnen’; globe lanthorns on Mahogany fluted pillers; bell Lanthorns on brass Armes’; Chamber, Corner and other tables, a ‘Wallnuttree Buerow on Castors’, and even bellows and hearth brooms. In 1754 (2–5 August) Vile also took an inventory of Mr Chute's effects, assisted by the London auctioneer John Prestage. [Hants. RO, 31, M57, 630/1 and (inventory) M57/646]
CANONS ASHBY, Northants. (Revd Edward Dryden) 1753: Honble. Sir John Dryden Bart Bott. of Messrs Vile & Cobb Cab^tt makers & Upholders at the corner of Long Acre

June 29 1753
Recd of the Revd Mr Dryden for Vile & Cobb
Samll Reynolds
[Northants. RO, D(CA) 179]
BADMINTON, Glos. (4th Duke of Beaufort). 13 August 1753: Received £48 10s. [Hoare's Bank vouchers, Badminton]
CLEVELAND HOUSE, 19 St James's Sq., London (2nd Duke of Cleveland). 1753–54: Vile and Cobb supplied lookingglasses. The house was being amended by Daniel Garrett 1746 —; it was demolished 1895. [Survey of London, XXIX, pp. 161–63; accounts at Raby Castle, Durham]
LADY CAROLINE BRIDGES. 1753–55:
6 June 1753.

Received May 3 1755 for self & Co. Wm Vile.

The reference to Cuttwork'd Sides’ is interesting in view of the Holderness and other cabinets below. [Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Leigh receipts, DR 18/5]
BRUTON ST, London (Sir William Proctor). 1754: January-October Supplied furniture to value of £130 14s 5d which included ‘mahog dressing table with folding top & a cabinet at top with doors & drawers with inside glass to draw forwards’, £14 10s. Paid 24 December 1754, less £11 8s abatement. [Norfolk RO, BEA. 305/79] See also 1758–61 below, Langley Hall.
LORD ARCHIBALD HAMILTON. 1754: 20 May (Public Advertiser): ‘Auction. By order of the Executors. On Tuesday the 23rd inst and the following Days, Sunday excepted, All the entire genuine rich Household Furniture, large wardrobe of Linnen and China, of the Rt Hon Lord Archibald Hamilton, Governor of Greenwich Hospital, deceased, at his late House in the Hospital at Greenwich in Kent: collection of rich Genoa Damask and other furnishings, in Red and W-CIs, large Pier and Looking Glasses, Mahogany Tables, Chairs etc likewise his Coach, Chariot and Post-Chaise. Catalogues … At Messrs Vile & Cobb's Cabinet and Upholstery Warehouse, the corner of St Martin's Lane, Long Acre, and at the Place of Sale.’ (Vile & Cobb had presumably supplied much of Lord Archibald's furniture. His pictures were advertised in Public Advertiser, 29 June 1754 — catalogues from Vile & Cobb.)
DUKE OF MONTROSE. 1755: Received £24 17s for unspecified work. [Scottish RO, GD 220/6/1418/53]
HOLKHAM HALL, Norfolk (1st Earl of Leicester)

[Holkham, Weekly Departmental Accounts, ending 3 May 1755]
BRITISH MUSEUM, London. 1756: Received £159 for a cabinet after winning the commission by competitive tender — ‘to see the Cabinet already finished and to deliver in proposals sealed up.’ [Standing Committee Minutes, 5 March 1756, I, p. 70] Minutes, 19 October 1757, II, p. 437: ‘that Mr Vile is desired to attend at next meeting of the Committee with patterns of chairs’; p. 443–9 June 1758: ‘That three dozen Chairs of Virginia walnut-tree be provided by Mr Vile according to the pattern agreed upon with banister-backs, at sixteen shillings each chair’. Minutes, 2 May 1760, III, p. 616: ‘Resolved that Mr Vile's Bill for Furniture amounting to eighty-four Pounds & eighteen shillings be paid’.
BRAXTED PARK, Essex (Peter Du Cane). 1756: 8 May ‘To Cash pd Vile & Cobb for a Mahogany Frame to a Marble Table etc. £4. 15s. 6d.’ [Essex RO, D/DDC/A13, f. 59]
CAME HOUSE, Dorset (Hon. John Damer). 1756–64: One bill is cited in GCM, p. 118. [See also C. Life, 27 February 1953, p. 572.]
SANDON HALL, Staffs. (1st Lord Harrowby)

[Harrowby MS Trust, Sandon, vols 327 (1756); 330 (1762– 64)]
CROOME COURT, Worcs. (6th Earl of Coventry). 1757–72: This was Vile & Cobb's most prestigious contract (apart from work in the Royal palaces) and brought them into contact with Robert Adam. There is an extensive archive (xerox copies, V & A archives, quoted in some detail below). The account opened in May 1757 and continued beyond Vile's death (1767) in Cobb's name. It contained well over 1300 items, and concluded circa July 1772:

[Money received 16 January 1765] (Vile retired in 1764 and the other bills for Croome are in John Cobb's name — Cobb, q.v.).
EDGECOTE, Warks. (Richard Chauncey). 1758: A large bill from ‘a ledger, formerly at Edgecot’ and amounting to £1,215 7s 11½d is noted as ‘Totl. Bill from Messrs Vile & Co.’ [GCM, p. 56]
JERMYN ST, St James's, London. 1758: ‘To be sold, (with or without the furniture) large house on N side of Jermyn St … (new furnished within these seven years). Details from Mr Spencer, Builder … or of Mr Vile, Cabinet-maker.’ [London Chronicle, 9–11 May 1758]
UPPER BROOK ST, London (Sir Charles Hanbury-Williams). 1758: This bill is headed, unusually, in a reverse order from normal, viz. ‘Cobb and Vile, Cabinet-Makers, Upholders etc., The Corner of Long Acre’. It was for £437 19s 6d for furniture supplied between 15 April and 18 December 1758. It was receipted by Cobb. [C. Life, 7 June 1956, pp. 1222–23; Coleridge, Chippendale, p. 28, n. 2, and text of bill, p. 46] On the strength of this commission some furniture made for Admiral Boscawen of Hatchlands, a friend of HanburyWilliams, was attributed to Vile — particularly a mahogany secretaire, now at Tregothnan, Cornwall. [C. Life, 24 May 1956, p. 1115, pl 7]
LONGFORD CASTLE, Wilts. (1st Lord Folkestone). 1760: The patron protested at Vile's high prices — ‘Vile, Cabinet-Maker a bill. N.B. He charged £7.10s. for two girandoles and £1.15. for the 4 nozzles and I am to pay him these prices for all I am to have from him. £17. 5s’ Further payments are made to the partners to 1767 but no details are given in the account book of the actual furniture. [Longford accounts, xerox copy, V & A archives; Coleridge, Chippendale Furniture, p. 28; for attribution of a carved and gilt chest at Longford to Vile see C. Life, 7 October 1954, p. 1156, pl. 8. It should however be noted that this cabinet bears a close resemblance to pl. 20 of Ince and Mayhew's Universal System, 1759–63]
STRAWBERRY HILL, Middlx (Horace Walpole). 1760: Vile provided a bed for the Holbein Chamber with tasselled purple hangings. [Paget Toynbee (ed.), Strawberry Hill Accounts, 1927, p. 122: P. Thornton, Authentic Decor …, 1984, pl. 220]
NORMANTON PARK, Rutland (Sir Gilbert Heathcote) 1760–61: Two 8 p. bills including the provision of all forms of furniture, but seemingly no lavish items, carpets, picture frames, bedding, repairs and cleaning. Vile received £123 2s 5¾d ‘for self & Co.’ on 17 June 1760. William France signed for a second sum of £171 8s 9½d ‘for Messrs Vile & Cobb’ on 4 June 1762. [Lincoln RO, 2 Anc, 12/D/29. Some of the furniture so described is at Grimsthorpe Castle, Lincs.]
SIR LAWRENCE DUNDAS (Work at Moor Park, Herts., 19 Arlington St, London, and Aske Hall, N. Yorks). 1761: May 5. Wm Vile £100. 1762: September 18. Vile & Cobb £200. 1765: January 29. Wm Vile £60. [Drummonds Branch, Royal Bank of Scotland, Dundas account, cited Apollo, September 1967, p. 202] The £360 is part of a much larger account. There is a rough note in Sir Lawrence's hand of expenses for furnishing his three houses — ‘Cobb & Vile about £1500’. This document, undated, and c. 1770 is filed N. Yorks. RO, 2 ZNK, X 1/7/72]
ROYAL PALACES. Vile's name, with his partner's, were included in the Great Wardrobe accounts for the first time in the quarter ending Lady Day, 1761. [PRO, LC 9/306, No. 29] The accounts for the period 1761–65 are filled with details of their work, some examples of which survive in the Royal and other collections.
1761: Medal Coin Cabinets, two, mahogany, originally forming the ends of a ‘Grand Medal Case’ made for George III, the centre part of which is lost. It would seem that they relate to the case referred to in the accounts for October 1761. [Collections: V & A Museum, London; MMA, NY] Described in detail by Derek Shrub, ‘The Vile Problem’, V & A Bulletin, October 1965, pp. 26–35. PRO, LC 9/306 No. 29, includes a payment of £80 in 1761 to Vile for ‘3 Different pieces of work fitted in between the legs of His Majesty's Grand Medal Case with Carved Dooers & ends & a new Subplinth to do on a frame’.
1761: Bureau-Cabinet, mahogany. Made by Vile for Queen Charlotte's Apartments in 1761, (finial crown may be later replacement of original), and it has been suggested that the bowed sides of the lower stage are a modification by John Bradburne in 1767. [G. de Bellaigue, Buckingham Palace, 1968] Invoiced, Lady Day quarter, 1762 [PRO, LC 9/307, No. 21] ‘For an Exceeding fine Mohogony Secretary with drawers & a writing Drawer, a Sett of Shelves at Top with a Crown carv'd at Top & the Side & Back all handsome Cuttwork £71.0.0.’ (Queen's Apartment at St James's). [Royal Collection] The cut-work on this documented cabinet has led to the attribution to Vile of three secretaire cabinets, two of which were made for Robert D'Arcy, 4th Earl of Holderness, Secretary of State 1751–61. These cabinets are described under the appelations, the D'Arcy Cabinet, the Hoffman Cabinet, the B.A.D.A. Cabinet, in The Antique Collector, June 1969, pp. 116–19. The D'Arcy Cabinet was sold Sotheby's, 27 June 1974, lot 23, and secondly, 18 November 1983, lot 60. The Hoffman cabinet is in a private American coll; sold Parke Bernet, NY, 14 April 1969, illus. DEF, I, p. 151, pl. 58; the B.A.D.A. Cabinet, ex coll. Lady Dudley Ward was acquired in 1964 by Noel Terry from Hotspur. It is in the Terry coll. at Fairfax House, York. [C. Life, 5 September 1985, p. 656, illus.]
1761: Jewel Cabinet. Made by Vile in 1761 for Queen Charlotte. Invoiced Quarter ending Christmas Day, 1762. [PRO, LC 9/308] ‘For a very handsome Jewel Cabinet made of many different kinds of fine Woods on a Mahogany frame very richly Carv'd, all the Front Ends & Top inlaid with Ivory in Compartments & neatly Engraved, the Top to lift up & 2 doors in front & 2 drawers under the Doors all lined with fine Black Velvet, with fine Locks & the brass work Gilt. £138.10.0.’ Royal Collection, by descent; purchased by Queen Mary from her nephew, George, Marquess of Cambridge; illus: DEF. I. p. 186, pls 44–45; GCM, pls 62–63. The ‘fine woods’ referred to included veneers of olive, padouk, amboyna, tulip and rosewood. A ‘secret’ top lifts to show Queen Charlotte's coat of arms in ivory.
1761: Paper cases, two of a set of four. Made for George Ill's Library, St James's Palace. [PRO, LC 9/306, No. 29]

Royal Collection: two of four survive. The interior of each originally had eighteen slides and two shelves which have disappeared; illus. H. Clifford Smith, Apollo, May 1935, p. 278, pl. 4.
1762: Writing table. Made for the King's Blue Library, Buckingham House. [PRO, LC 9/307] ‘A very good Mohogony Library Table on Castors, the top covered with leather, and exceeding fine locks made to the King's key. £24. 10s.’ This may relate to one of a pair of mahogany writing tables, Royal Collection; normally Palace of Holyroodhouse, illus. Clifford Smith, op. cit., p. 279, pl. VI. However the account only mentions one table, but Clifford Smith noted its similarity to the one made for Richard Chauncey [1758, Edgecote, above]
1762: Bookcase, mahogany. Made for Queen Charlotte. [PRO, LC 9/308] ‘A very handsome mahogany bookcase with plate Glass Doors (in) the upper part, and wood doors at bottom, a Pedement head with Pilastres and trusses, the whole very handsomely carved to match the Cabinett in the Queen's Bow Closet in St James's. £107.14.0.’ Royal Collection: by descent to George IV; Augusta, Duchess of Cambridge; 1904 to Princess of Wales, later Queen Mary. The locks are marked ‘C & C’; illus. DEF, I, frontis (colour); Burlington, July 1977, p. 483, with detail of left lower door.
1763: Cabinet, mahogany. Altered by Vile for Queen Charlotte in 1763 from an organ-case, probably made c. 1735 by Benjamin Goodison. [PRO, LC 9/310, No. 8] ‘Queen's Dressing Room/Japan Room’. ‘For altering the Organ & upright Harpischord by putting a Mahogany Plynth to the bottom part … the whole ornamented with Ovals of Laurels and other Carved Ornaments & Carved Moldings — two large Vinetree Ornaments on the top Ends to make the front Door and all the Ornaments neatly Carved & Gilt in Burnished Gold. £57.’. Royal Collection; H. Clifford Smith, Buckingham Palace, 1931, p. 78, pl. 69; Coleridge, Chippendale Furniture, pl 15. A set of nine mahogany dwarf-cabinets made to contain organ rolls are attributed to Vile. They have his usual central oval mouldings on the doors. Royal Collection: DEF, II, p. 168, pl. 23; GCM, pl. 67.
1763: Worktable, mahogany, carved fret. For Queen Charlotte at Buckingham House. [PRO, LC 9/308] ‘a neat mahogany work table, with shape legs neatly carved and a scrole on the foot and a leaf on the knee. £9.18.0.’. Royal Collection: illus, Clifford Smith, op. cit., pl. 64; DEF, III, p. 320, pl. 3.
The following is a small selection of items by Vile noted from the PRO, LC accounts, or the Windsor Royal Archives.
[LC 9/307] 1761: ‘For a large Oak Tree Jarendole with two lights gilt £6.6.0. For a Mohogony Stand to serve either for a Tea Kettle Stand or for a high Candle Stand £1.10.0.’ 1762. ‘For making great alterations in 4 large Book Case (sic) taken from the library at St James's, making them Larger by Adding Palesters with Trusses & an entablature at Top with a Pediment to each & a frame with a Vitruvian Scroll between the Top & Bottom part £142.0.0.’ [LC 9/308] 1763: ‘King's Library. For a Moh. Couch Fashion'd Library Stool with one head the Seat made to turn up to ansr as a pr of Steps, the whole on a Sett of Triple Wheel Castors 14.10.0.’
Three references to ‘Cutt work’ [LC 9/309] 1763: ‘Fine moh. 2 flat Table on Casters with a Drawer & Shelf & a Cutt work border on the shelf & a neat Black Standish to Stand in the Drawer to take out occasionally 4.4.0. For a neat Mohogony Bookshelf with Cutt Work sides 1.5.0. (similar entry) 2.10.0.’
Augusta, Princess of Wales [RA Windsor 55476] 1762. 7 August: ‘For altering 2 Doors of Miss Vansittart's Organ by taking out the Pannells & putting in wire instead of them & Green Persian Curtains behind Do. £2.14.0. For a neat Mahogy Bookcase to stand in a recess with Shelves & wire doors to Do at Top & Bottom & Green Lutestring Curtains behind Do. £10.15.0.’

Vile rented a house in 1765 in Sackville St. He had repaired and painted it at the Princess's order in 1763. [RA Windsor, 55496–98]
CHARLES HENRY TALBOT. 9 June 1761: To Vile and Cobb £81. [Hoare's Bank, London, Ledger 64/6]
BLICKLING, Norfolk (3rd Earl of Buckinghamshire). August 1762: Vile & Cobb — cabinet-makers £86. 5s. 9d. [Norfolk RO, MS 17148] The partners served the Duke's needs, 1762–63, through the Great Wardrobe, when he was appointed Ambassador to the Court of Russia at St Petersburg. [PRO, LC 9/307]
WOBURN ABBEY, Beds. (4th Duke of Bedford). Between 1762–64 Vile and Cobb submitted five bills to the Duke for new furniture, repairs to existing furniture and decoration of state rooms at Woburn after the rebuilding by Henry Flitcroft. The chief pieces provided were: June–July 1763: ‘A large double drab sofa on treble-wheeled brass castors with 2 heads and 2 bolsters stuff'd and quilted. £11.10.0.’ This was provided with a canopy with carved cornice, both sofa and canopy upholstered in blue damask; and with bedding complete to make a sofa bed. The total cost of this piece was £86 15s.

January 1764. ‘24 back stool chairs with carved backs and seats, upholstered complete in crimson cofoye [sic], at a total cost of £75.12.0.’ This bill of January 1764 also shows that the firm was responsible for much decoration in the new gallery and that 254 days of gilders’ and painters’ time was expended in the work. All this was in embellishment of the work done by James Whittle & Samuel Norman in 1754 and following years. [Bedford Office, London]
EGREMONT HOUSE, 94 Piccadilly, London (2nd Earl of Egremont). 1762: 10 May ‘For an extra Fine Mahog. Library Table — the Top Cover'd with black leather & 14 Draws & a Door under — with upright Partitions for Books the whole on Strong Casters, £14.10s.’ The full bill was receipted ‘for partner & self’ by John Cobb. [W. Sussex RO, Petworth MS 377, vouchers No. 2, September 1763]
CHATSWORTH, Derbs. (4th Duke of Devonshire). When the 1st Duchess of Northumberland was on her tour in the mid 1760s she remarked on a bed by Vile at Hardwick in cutvelvet. Among the Chatsworth Burlington papers in the green vellum folio, Abstract of Tradesmen's accounts 1756–65 is: f78 ‘Bills paid to 4th January 1764 Mr Vile & Cobb Upholsterers £277.1s.0d.

f88 (1764) Cabinet maker Cobbe 0.4.0.’

[C. Life, 7 February 1974, p. 250]
UPPARK, Sussex (Sir Matthew Featherstonhaugh). 1 January 1765: ‘Pd Mr Vile in full £23.6s.6d.’ [Conn., November 1967, p. 160]
CANNON HALL, Yorks. (John Spencer). 1766: 30 June. ‘Pd Vile and Cobb for a glass for Mr Greene £10.’ [Sheffield City Library, archives dept, MS. 60633–19, vol. 3. Spencer visited Cobb's showroom in 1768] G.B.

Villeneau, Charles, Piccadilly, London, upholder (1748–49). Heal records him in contemporary newspapers at the corner of Duke St in 1748. Polled at Westminster of Portugal St in 1749.

Villeneau, Josias (or Tobias?), Southwark, London, upholder and sworn appraiser (1733–c. 1740). Heal records him in newspapers of 1733 at ‘The Golden Leg’, near St Thomas’ Hospital. Trade card, c. 1740 [Banks Coll., BM] gives address at ‘The Golden Leg’ over against ‘Ye Bull's Head Tavern’, and is annotated by hand: ‘ye stock of ye sale to continue ten Days’.

Vinall, John, High St, Cliff, Lewes, Sussex, cm and u (1832–45). Recorded at no. 48 in 1832; no. 9 in 1839; and as John Vinall jnr in 1837. [D; poll bks]

Vince, C., Salter, 16 Tavistock St, Covent Gdn, London, carver and gilder (1839). [D]

Vince, John, London, carpenter and cm (1805–11). Trading at 17 Artillery St, Bishopsgate St in 1805–07; and John St, Spitalfields in 1809–11. [D]

Vince, William, 2 Gunpowder Alley, Shoe Lane, London, picture frame maker (1812). Took out a Sun Insurance policy on 26 August 1812 for £100 on household goods in the house of a glass cutter, clothes, books and plate. [GL, Sun MS vol. 455, ref. 873480]

Vincent, Edward jnr, St Thomas's, Oxford, cm (1802). [Poll bk]

Vincent, George Matthew (or George Mathyson), King's Lynn, Norfolk, u (1770–d. by 1823). App. to Robinson Crusoe, u, and admitted freeman on servitude, 1770–71. Took out a Sun Insurance policy on 13 December 1774 for £400 of which £360 accounted for utensils and stock. Dead by 1823 when his son, Riches Vincent, u of London, was admitted freeman by birthright, 1822–23. [King's Lynn freemen's calendar; GL, Sun MS vol. 235, ref. 347361]

Vincent, John, Norwich, carver (1745). Son of Clement Vincent, weaver; admitted freeman on 27 July 1745. [Norwich freemen rolls]

Vincent, John Baptiste & Peter, 3 Wardour St, London, bedstead makers (1810). Took out a Sun Insurance policy on 1 November 1810 for £150 on a house at 9, behind 99 Wardour St, in tenure of Blake, cm. [GL, Sun MS vol. 453, ref. 850441]

Vincent, John, Sherborne, Dorset, cm (1830–40). Trading at Half Moon St in 1830 and Long St in 1840. [D]

Vincent, Riches, London, u (1822–26). Son of George Mathyson Vincent, deceased; admitted freeman of King's Lynn, 1822–23. Polled of that city in 1824 and 1826. [King's Lynn freemen's calendar]

Vincent, Thomas, Ivy Lane, Canterbury, Kent, chairmaker (1790–94). [Poll bks]

Vincent, William, St Peter Hungate, Norwich, cm (1806). [Poll bk]

Vincent, William, Downham Market, Norfolk, cm and chairmaker (1822). [D]

Vincent, William, 20 Epworth St, Low Hill, Liverpool, cm (1839). [D]

Viner, Charles, 5 Broad St, Golden Sq., London, u (1835). [D]

Viner, Henry, address unrecorded, cm (1734). Amongst the Brownshill Court MS of the Palling and Carruthers families, (private ownership) are specifications for a chest of drawers, signed by Henry Viner, maker, and dated 1734. [Historical Manuscripts Commission Report, Brownshill Court, 6512, p. 57]

Viner, John, parish of St Stephen, Bristol, picture frame maker (1754). [Poll bk]

Viner, Robert, Clifton, Bristol, cm (1784). [Poll bk]

Viney, Joseph, Thomas St, Bristol, cm, broker and auctioneer (1793–1822). Trading with his son, Joseph Viney jnr, 1807– 22, at 139–140 Thomas St, 1814–22. [D] Stamp of ‘J. VINEY’ recorded on a mahogany commode, c. 1810, with lifting top, on turned legs; in ownership of the family.

Viney, Joseph jnr, Bristol, cm, u, appraiser, auctioneer and undertaker (1807–29). Trading with his father Joseph at Thomas St, 1807–22; alone at nos 139–140 in 1823; no. 140, 1824–28; and 3 Somerset Sq. in 1829. Declared bankrupt, Liverpool Mercury, 20 June 1828. [D]

Vinicomb, —, address unrecorded, cm (1803). Subscribed to Sheraton's Cabinet Dictionary, 1803.

Vining, R., 125 Regent St, London, writing desk and dressing case maker (1829). [D]

Vinsen, W., Gt Magdalen St, Thetford, Norfolk, cm and chairmaker (1822). [D]

Vinson (or Venson), William, 16 Henrietta St, Covent Gdn, London, carver, gilder and frame maker (1803–37). [D]

Vipond, Nicholas, London, u (1742–1802). Addresses given at 87 Bartholomew Close, 1759–75; no. 1, 1778–81; Little Britain in 1786; 67 Little Britain in 1794; and 16 Silver St in 1802. Son of Nicholas Vipond, Gent. of Norwich. App. to J. Hill, merchant tailor, on 23 September 1742, and admitted freeman of the Upholders’ Co. on 7 April 1757. Took app. named Samuel Martin until 1762. Heal records him in newspapers, 1760–74. Declared bankrupt, Gents Mag., January 1773. [D; GL, Upholders’ Co. records]

Virgin, Arthur, London, upholder (1685–86). Named in the accounts of C. Blunt, u, in 1685–86, as ‘Arthur Virgin upholder (for Mr. Lapeare’). [PRO, C/14/164, pt 1] See Francis La Pierre.

Virnon, T., address unrecorded. On 2 May 1784 charged £37 7s for a bed supplied to the Hon. H. Fane. [Lincoln RO, FANE, 7/1] Possibly Thomas Vernon.

Virran, John, address unrecorded, cm (1803). Subscribed to Sheraton's Cabinet Dictionary, 1803.

Virtue, J., 58 Newman St, Oxford St, London, u (1837). [D]

Vittore & Marone, 93 Market St Lane, Manchester, carvers, gilders etc. (1797). [D]

Vittory, I. & V., 93 Market St Lane, Manchester, carvers, gilders, looking-glass makers etc. (1800–02). [D]

Vitty, George Ascough, Manchester, cm, carver and gilder (1815–36). Trading at 122 London Rd, 1815–29; Edward St, Chorlton Row in 1832–33; 1 Russell St in 1834, and no. 2 in 1836. [D]

Vitty, William snr, Bargate, Richmond, Yorks., spinning wheel and reel maker (1823–27). [D]

Vitty, William (jnr?), Newbeggin, Richmond, Yorks., spinning wheel and reel maker (1823–27). [D]

Vivares, —, address unrecorded. On 31 May 1775 charged £2 9s ‘for Gold Frames & glasses’ supplied to Sir Richard Hoare. [Hoare's Bank, London, private accounts]

Vivian, —, address unrecorded, cm (1803). Subscribed to Sheraton's Cabinet Dictionary, 1803.

Vivian, W., Cat St, Plymouth, Devon, carver and turner (1814). [D]

Vizard, Isaac, address unrecorded, upholder (1781–98). Son of Arthur Vizard, victualler of St Giles, Cripplegate, London. App. to Isaac Taylor, upholder of Moorfields, and admitted freeman of the Upholders’ Co. on 7 February 1781. Took apps named Richard Britain, 1790–98, and Thomas Lewis in 1795. [GL, Upholders’ Co. records]

Vizer, Robert, Bristol, cm and timber merchant (1809–12). Trading at 11 Charles St, 1809–10, and 7 Lower Montague St. in 1812. [D]

Vobe, John, South St, London, carver (1774). [Poll bk]

Voble, John, Berwick St, Soho, London, coach and house carver (1763). [D]

Vogue, L., 14 Goodge St, London, picture and looking-glass frame gilder and cleaner. Undated trade card reads: ‘Having made a valuable discovery by which he is enabled to clean & preserve Gilt Picture Frames, Looking Glass Frames etc. without removing — warrants them to stand for many years & bear washing if required & to look as brilliant as when new Gilt. Likewise cleans pictures without removing them from the room or mansion in which they may now be placed.’ [Bodleian Lib., Johnson Coll.; Furn. Hist., 1974]

Voice, John, King's Lynn, Norfolk, cane chairmaker (1717–21). Took apps named Storey in 1717 and Ditchfield in 1721. [S of G, app. index]

Voisey, William, Queen St, St Michael's, Bristol, cm, u and broker (1834–40). [D]

Vokins, John, London, carver, gilder and picture restorer (1820–37). Recorded at 5 Upper Rathbone Pl., Fitzroy Sq. in 1820; 5 John St, Oxford St in 1835; and as J. & W. Vokins at 5 John St in 1837. [D]

Volanteno, J., Fishergate, Doncaster, Yorks., barometer and looking-glass maker (1818). [D]

Vollum, H. jnr, London, cm and u (1835–39). Trading at 9 Cripplegate Buildings in 1835 and 84 Goswell Rd in 1839. [D] Presumably Henry, son of:

Vollum, Henry, London, cm and u (1822–39). Trading at 2 London Wall, 1822–23; 58 Barbican in 1829; and 79 West Side, Goswell Rd, 1835–39. [D]

Vollum (or Volumn), Thomas, High Wycombe, Bucks., chairmaker (1815–27). Daughter bapt. in 1815, 1818, 1824 and 1827. [PR (bapt.)]

Vores, John, Market Hill, Northampton, u (1796). [Poll bk]

Voss, George, 39 St Thomas St, Weymouth, Dorset, cm and u (1840). [D]

Vove, John, at ‘The Sun’, Long Acre, London, victualler and carver (1785). Took out a Sun Insurance policy in 1785 for £600 of which utensils, stock and goods accounted for £240. [GL, Sun MS vol. 236, p. 331]

Vowles, Elizabeth, 53–54 Worcester St, Birmingham, chairmaker (1830). [D]

Voysey, Alexander, Fore St, Exeter, Devon, carver and gilder (1791–96). [Exeter Pocket Journal]

Voysey, William, The College, Exeter, Devon, cm (1837–40). Daughters bapt. at St George's: Eleanor Mary on 11 June 1837; Julia on 14 October 1838; and Mary Ann on 3 May 1840. [PR(bapt.)]

Vulliamy, —, address unrecorded. Signed a torchère, c. 1790, with three-sided base carved with spears centring on ribboned wreaths, on three lion-paw feet; base supports a turned stand, carved with sphinxes, lotus leaves and gadrooning. [Sold by H. Blairman & Sons, 119 Mount St, London] Probably:

Vulliamy, Benjamin L., Messrs & Son, London, clockmakers (1807–16). Messrs Vulliamy & Son of 74 Pall Mall, are named in George IV's accounts repairing clocks and chandeliers, and supplying various stands and plinths including in 1807, ‘An elegant writing stand made of red Saunders wood inlaid with black ebony & gilt mouldings’, costing £21; ‘A very large Bronze Chimera legs with human head & face, a lion's skin on the head forming a sort of cap … finished in the most masterly manner’, at £159. 12s; ‘a pair of black ebony Plinths lined w. green cloth’, £2; and various purplewood stands covered in Genoa velvet. In 1808 the firm charged £31 10s ‘for a very elegant writing Stand made entirely of black ebony of an Antique Egyptian Shape … ornamented in the centre with a Bronze figure of Isis kneeling …’; and in 1809, 20 guineas for ‘3 very elegant writing stands made of Rosewood with black ebony mouldings & gilt mouldings round the troughs for pens, mounted with 3 bronze vases each designed from the Antique for Ink, Sponge & Wafers’. In 1811 they provided ‘a Chinese Moulding in 2 parts made to fit on a Cabinet made by Mr. Tatham’, costing £30. From 1813–16 Benjamin L. Vulliamy carried out work at Carlton House, repairing candelabra and plinths, and supplying stands and bronze tripods for clocks and vases. The Royal accounts on 10 October 1813 list a pair of ‘wainscot circular framed stands with reeded purplewood mouldings, covered with crimson Genoa velvet’, costing £4 4s; and on 5 October 1814, ‘an oval framed wainscot stand for mounted blue china vase with reeded purple wood edge and covered with crimson velvet’, at £1 11s 6d; and ‘four mahogany circular stands with very thick black ebony edges lined with green cloth’, costing £7. [Windsor RA, 25235; 25241; 25246; 25260; 25275; 25277; 25315; 2533; PRO, LC11/15–21]

Vyning, Lyas, Marshall St, London, cm (1784). [Poll bk]

Vyse, George, Ireland and Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs., cm (1830–37). Polled at Newcastle of there in 1830 and 1837; of Ireland in 1832.