Cigar humidor
William Gittins (c.1855 - c.1915)
Category
Furniture
Date
1908
Materials
Oak, brass
Measurements
65 x 37 x 37 cm
Place of origin
Erddig
Order this imageCollection
Erddig, Wrexham
NT 1147006
Summary
A small oak humidor or cigar cabinet, made by William Gittins (c.1855-c.1915) at Erddig, and given to Philip Yorke by his wife and children at Christmas 1908. The top stepped and hinged and above panelled sides with brass carry handles, the front with a sing drawer with drop handle. On four tapering square-section legs headed by shaped spandrels. -- William Gittins (c.1855-c.1915) is believed to have started working at Erddig sometime in the 1870s as estate carpenter. In 1904, he married as his second wife Martha Louisa Harvey (b. 1871) who had been in service as Housemaid at Erddig since 1902. In 1906, William Gittins was working at Erddig 6-days a week, earning 5s 4d a day.
Provenance
Made by William Gittins (c.1855-c.1915), joiner at Erddig at Christmas 1908, and given to Philip Yorke (1849-1922) by his wife and children. Thence by descent, and given by Phillip Yorke III (1905-1978) along with the estate, house and contents to the National Trust in 1973.
Marks and inscriptions
Base of drawer: [Typed] Detail List of Oak in Cigar Cabinet. Legs & Framing, out of Hafod-y-Bwch old staircase. Side Panel --- out of an old piece of furniture taken from Erddig Estate- Office. Small Brackets, out of an old drawer in the Erthig Attic. The Lid ----- out of an old panel from an Oak Room at Plas Gronow Hall. [Ink] Made by William Gittins XMAS 1908 & give to Ph: Yorke by his wife & children.
Makers and roles
William Gittins (c.1855 - c.1915), maker