James Lamb, founder of one of the most successful late nineteenth-century regional British cabinetmakers, commissioned work from a number of notable designers, such as Bruce Talbert and Alfred Waterhouse, the designer of Manchester Town Hall. The quality of the firm's work was consistently high, and won for the firm prizes at the several International Exhibitions in which they participated. Lamb's main market however, was the new middle-classes living in and around Manchester, People whose aspirations were satisfied by well-made, modish furniture, which showed off a variety of materials in striking and elegant designs. This suite was made for the Tabbush family, originally from the Middle East, who settled in Manchester and whose money came from the textile industry. Unusually, until it was acquired by The Fine Art Society, it still belonged to the daughter of Lamb's patrons for whom the suite was made at the time of their marriage in the 1880s.
Works
- Cabinet, c. 1875
- Suite of Furniture (cabinet, centre table, sofa, pair of side chairs, pair of archchairs, nursing chair, armchairs, card tabble), 1880s.
References
The Fine Art Society Story. Part I. London: The Fine Art Society, 2001. Catalogue numbers 85a-g, 86.
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Last modified 23 February 2008