Beautiful Victorian leather armchair by the renowned company Cornelius V Smith of London, Circa 1890. The deep buttoned back and lovely shaped arms above a soft loose cushion. Standing on tapering mahogany legs terminating in the original brass and brown china castors. With makers stamp ‘C.V.S.’ on back leg.

Smith, Cornelius V.

London; wholesale cabinet maker, upholsterer and frame maker (fl.1885-1891)

Cornelius Smith was born in 1847 in Mile End, his father, George, a wine merchant.

By 1885 it was recorded with showrooms and an upholstery workshop in Marshall’s Yard, Henry Street, Hampstead Road and a frame making workshop in Charles Place, Drummond Street.  When the lease on the Marshall Yard workshop expired in 1886 he moved to larger premises at 64 Osnaburgh Street. London.

Smith advertised in The Furniture Gazette from  1 March 1886-1 March 1889, with some advertisements illustrated. One such article, published on 15 April 1891, described Smith as ‘the well known upholstering manufacturer and art furniture maker. He built up a reputation of which any man might be proud, and his business is one of the largest in the trade.

Smith’s specialised in stuffed-over chairs & couches, made with the use of every contemporary devise and of comfort, convenience and elegance.

By 1891 Smith permanently employed over 150 at his works, which operated entirely on a wholesale basis. The census of that year described him as a widower and manufacturing upholsterer, aged 44, living at 18 Highbury Gove, Islington. He was still there in 1901 and died in Islington in 1917.

Size 24 x 26 x 35 inches tall (61 x 66 x 90 cm tall)

Price £1550

Stock no. 6290