John Linnell

William Linnell created the Linnell firm in 1730, located in 8 Long Acre in St. Martin’s Lane, London. He was in charge of one of London’s largest cabinet-makers firms of the 18th century, with many important and prominent patrons. In 1750, the firm moved to 28 Berkeley Square. After William’s death in 1763, his son John Linnell inherited the business and continued to develop it, gaining a great reputation. John was in charge of the firm until his death.

One of his first commissions was for a suite of furniture for Charles Somerset, 4th Duke of Beaufort’s Chinese Bedroom at Badminton House. He was also commissioned by Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Baron Scarsdale at Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire, and Robert Child at Osterley Park House, Middlesex. Furthermore, Hugh Percy, 1st Duke of Northumberland and his wife Elizabeth Percy, Duchess of Northumberland were among Linnell’s patrons, and several armchairs attributed to Linnell can be seen at Alnwick Castle. All of these commissions demonstrate Linnell’s skill and success as a furniture designer in the eighteenth century.

Linnell’s finest pieces include marquetry and veneered cabinet furniture, suites of armchairs, console tables, giltwood wall mirrors, pier mirrors and numerous interior furnishing designs including chimney-pieces. He is known for exceptional marquetry, rare exotic woods such as satinwood, rosewood and mahogany in the rococo and neo classical taste.

His contemporaries were Thomas Chippendale, Ince and Mayhew, Thomas Sheraton, Robert Adam, Matthew Boulton