part of a set with four armchairs, two chairs (W.79 to W.81-1917), giltwood, with upholstery covered in tapestry, French 1850-1880. 76/1154

Settee, French early 19th century, part of a set with W.79-1917.

The Henry L. Florence Bequest

This suite was bequeathed to the Museum by Henry L. Florence, of Prince's Gate, SW7, as part of a collection of 31 piece of furniture (primarily English or French, but with some Asian pieces (W.55-1917 to W.85-1917). See Registered File 16/1351 on Nominal File MA/1/F792/2. There appears to be no earlier history of these tables, although they are of high quality.Henry Louis Florence VD (1843-1916) was an architect and members of the RIBA, serving as Vice-President from 1897 to 1899. He was a Fellow of the Geological Society and a Past Master of the Haberdashers' Company. He served in the Rifle Volunteers from 1871 to 1892 and retired with the rank of Lt. Col. As a young man he had studied in France. He began to practice in 1871, at first in partnership with Lewis Henry Isaacs (1830-1908). Florence designed many public buildings and hotels, mainly in London, and was responsible for the restoration of the Hall at Grays Inn. He was a collector who made monetary bequests to the National Gallery, the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum, in addition to bequeathing many items to the latter museum. He had houses at 9 Princes Gate, South Kensington an at 16 Royal Crescent, Bath, and an office at No. 3 Verulam Buildings, Grays Inn.

This settee and chairs from the set, W.80&A-1917 and W.81-1917, all came from the First Floor front room in the Princes Gate house (presumably the Drawing Room) but nothing further is recorded about them.

On loan to Cliffe Castle Museum.

W.81-1917