An outstanding mahogany cabinet designed by G M Ellwood for J S Henry Circa 1900

This line drawing for this cabinet is illustrated inBritish Furniture by Pauline Agius and it was exhibited at the Dublin Museum 1906

J.S. Henry were wholesale manufacturers in Old Street, London, of light, ornamental furniture from about 1880, and Art Nouveau pieces of mahogany and satinwood with decorative inlays in the 1890s. Their beautiful pieces were retailed through a Paris agent at the 1900 Centennial Exhibition, where they won two silver medals. At the Arts & Crafts Exhibition Society in 1903 the company showed designs by George Walton and W.A.S. Benson. G.M. Ellwood was their most prolific designer, and although they used designs by C.F.A. Voysey, E.G. Punnett and W.J. Neatby, few designers were named.

J S Henry of London were one of the top cabinet makers of the early 1900 ́s. Henry specialised in “Art Furniture “and was regularly featured in The Studio Magazine and other design periodicals of the time. The company also designed and furnished complete house interiors for mansion houses and public buildings similarly to the well-known London Company Liberty and Co. J S Henry ceased trading about 1910 and were particularly active in the period 1890-1909 producing a wide range of Art Nouveau/Arts and Crafts furniture.

GEORGE MONTAGUE ELLWOOD 1875-1955

George Montague Ellwood Artist, Designer and Interior Decorator was born in 1875 and educated at Holloway Art School and later studied in Paris, Berlin, Dresden and Vienna and at Camden School of Art from 1916 to 1924. In 1897 he won the gold medal for his furniture designs at the National Competition, South Kensington.

He was one of the founding members of the 'Guild of Art Craftsmen', Ellwood's designs for J S Henry were exhibited at the 1900 Paris Exhibition and won a silver medal, one of two the firm were awarded. He exhibited at a number of venues between 1899 and 1915, including four times at the Royal Academy. Ellwood also designed for Bath Cabinetmakers and the Bristol based firm of Trapnell and Gane. He later traded as Ellwood and Sledmere (late with J.S. Henry Ltd) at 53 Mortimer Street, London.

He designed posters for the London Underground Group between 1912 and 1914 now displayed at The Transport Museum. He became editor of Drawing and Design Journal and in later years continuing his life's work he wrote several knowledgeable books on drawing and design and also advertising.