cabinetmaker in st john's clerkenwell, london. by 1766 he had become maitre of the company, but was admonished the very next year for poor attendance.
he is perhaps best remembered for the enthusiasm with which he promoted scarlet lacquer furniture, which became a symbol of opulence and quality. as examples of his different styles, and to explain the attribution of these chairs to his workshop, it is interesting to comepare the figures on the splat of the high-backed chair to those on the vase splats of the more homely, round-backed examples (35b) which are similar to a set at temple newsham, near leeds. both scattered with enhlish-looking orientals, which came to be his trademark in fact the overall effect bears litle resemblance to an oriental scene; perhaps therein lies the charm