By Thomas & George Seddon
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Very Fine George IV Parcel-Gilt Amboyna Centre Table Attributed to Thomas & George Seddon.
English, Circa 1830.
The table is of finely figured Amboyna with a circular tilt-top above a triform column with parcel-gilt scrolled supports. It is raised on a conforming plinth base with foliate carved feet and concealed castors.
George Seddon was the eighth child of John Seddon of Blakelea, Lancashire. His father apprenticed him to George Clemaphon of Cripplegate to learn cabinet making. He became a master cabinet maker. (He was Master of the Joiner’s Company in 1795).
In the early 1750s he was sufficiently successful to acquire London House, Aldersgate Street. It consisted of extensive workshops, where furniture was made, and showrooms to display the finished products. London House had formerly been a palace of the Bishops of London. The panelled state-rooms were ideal for the display of fashionable furniture; and the chapel and library made convenient workshops. When Seddon married, he converted the garden house and infirmary into the family home. Seddon was the biggest furniture maker of his time. His furniture store covered a two acre site in Aldersgate Street.
His workshop there was described by London visitor Sophie v. La Roche in 1786:
"We drove first to Mr. Seddon's, a cabinet-maker,...He employs four hundred apprentices on any work connected with the making of household furniture—joiners, carvers, gilders...
Category
Early 19th Century English George IV Antique George Martin Tables