William Vile ( 1700 – September 1767) was an English cabinetmaker.

Biography

Vile was one of the best

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

cabinetmaker A cabinet is a case or cupboard with shelves and/or drawers for storing or displaying items. Some cabinets are stand alone while others are built in to a wall or are attached to it like a medicine cabinet. Cabinets are typically made of wood (s ...

s of the Early Georgian Period (1745 – 1780) only overshadowed by

Thomas Chippendale Thomas Chippendale (1718–1779) was a cabinet-maker in London, designing furniture in the mid-Georgian, English Rococo, and Neoclassical styles. In 1754 he published a book of his designs in a trade catalogue titled ''The Gentleman and Ca ...

of the Late Georgian Period (1750 – 1830). Vilé was amongst a handful of London based cabinetmakers such as William Bradshaw, John Cobb, and

John Gumley John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second ...

. Their standard of craftsmanship has been virtually unchallenged until the late 20th Century

British Craft Revival British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies. ** Britishness, the British identity and common culture * British English, ...

with makers such as

John Makepeace John Makepeace OBE FCSD (born John Makepeace Smith; 6 July 1939) is a British furniture designer and maker. Makepeace was born in Solihull, Warwickshire Warwickshire (; abbreviated Warks) is a county in the West Midlands region of England. ...

and his lesser known apprentice Andrew Whateley demonstrating unrivalled craftsmanship. William Vile went into partnership with John Cobb in 1750 until he retired in 1765, operating from premises at the corner of

St Martin's Lane St Martin's Lane is a street in the City of Westminster, which runs from the church of St Martin-in-the-Fields, after which it is named, near Trafalgar Square northwards to Long Acre. At its northern end, it becomes Monmouth Street. St Martin ...

(No. 72) and

Long Acre Long Acre is a street in the City of Westminster in central London. It runs from St Martin's Lane, at its western end, to Drury Lane in the east. The street was completed in the early 17th century and was once known for its coach-makers, and l ...

, London. They were ''Cabinet-makers and Upholsterers to His Majesty'' (

George III George III (George William Frederick; 4 June 173829 January 1820) was King of Great Britain and of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of the two kingdoms on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Br ...

) from 1761 to April 1764, based mainly on the superb quality of Vile's cabinet work and the individuality of his designs. The partners were not known as great innovators, but their standard of craftsmanship was seldom equalled. One outstanding piece was a jewel cabinet of mahogany, inlaid with ivory and various woods and exquisitely carved, made for Queen Charlotte in 1761.William Vile
''Britannica Online'' Following Vile's retirement, the Royal Warrant was awarded to two of their employees William France and John Bradburne.

References

External links

*
Royal Collection 1 (retrieved 20/10/2013)

Royal Collection 2 (retrieved 20/10/2013)

Pair of pier tables & looking glasses (retrieved 20/10/2013)

Commode (retrieved 20/10/2013)

Breakfront Library Bookcase (retrieved 20/10/2013)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vilé, William 1700 births 1767 deaths English furniture designers British furniture makers

Biography

References

Further reading

External links