Firescreen
William Freeman (1784 - 1877)
Category
Furniture
Date
1815 - 1825
Materials
Gilt deal, brass and textile
Measurements
140 x 41 cm; 30 cm (Diameter); 33 cm (Height)
Place of origin
Norwich
Order this imageCollection
Felbrigg, Norfolk
NT 1398423.1
Summary
One of a pair of giltwood pole screens, attributed to William Freeman, Norwich, circa 1820 With a square panel with pleated silk insert held on a brass pole. The base with a turned reeded column carved with leaf scrolls and anthemion's, the circular plinth base with egg and dart edge and carved feet. By repute these pole screens were supplied to Felbrigg by William Freeman circa 1820. Three generations of the Freeman family, Jeremiah and several Williams, worked at various addresses in Norwich from the late 18th century, their paper label gives the impression that they were also in London but are listed as having premises in London (Lane) and Swan Lane. They describe themselves as 'Carvers, Gilders & Looking Glass Manufacturers wholesale and retail' William Freeman is recorded in the ‘Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840’, published by the Furniture History Society, as being made a freeman of Norwich on 24 February 1811, and licensed as a cabinet maker; pieces of his furniture, stenciled with his name, are noted.
Provenance
Part of the Windham Collection. The hall and contents were bequeathed to the National Trust in 1969 by Robert Wyndham Ketton-Cremer (1906-1969)
Makers and roles
William Freeman (1784 - 1877), furniture maker