 John Solly Henry. This London based wholesale manufacturing company based on Old Street, came to light in the 1880s, specialising in a selection of ornamental, lightweight furniture, but more fundamentally, the new and the unusual. J S Henry came to be known as one of the more advanced supplies, amongst H&J Cooper and Liberty & Co. Gradually the Art Nouveau style of decorative and mahogany pieces were introduced to their production line towards the '90s. 1900 marked the year of their featuring in the Centennial Exhibition, managed by an agent in Paris, consequently securing the company two silver medals to mark their accomplishments; one of which is owed to the craftmanship of G.M Ellwood. The following three years saw the business expand and incorporate familiar designers names whilst exhibiting in the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society in ’03. The likes of G.M Ellwood, C.F.A Voysey, E.G Punnett and W.J Neatby could be recognised. Henry’s collection presented to the market was considered both severe and fanciful, making these statement pieces quite the novelty. It appears very common of their designers to include patterned/floral inlaid designs, with capped tops to the vertically rising structure of the pieces. Researched and written by Tony Geering & Kristy Campbell. |