William & John Linnell

The Linnells were prominent British cabinetmakers and furniture designers during the 18^th century, with commissions for notable country houses including the Dukes of Beaufort for Badminton House, Sir Robert Child for Osterley Park and the Dukes of Argyll at Inverary Castle.  William Linnell (1703-1763) was a specialist carver, establishing his workshop in Longacre before moving to more fashionable premises at Berkeley Square.  William’s son John joined in 1749; he was one of the first English furniture makers to be educated in design, studying at the Saint Martin’s Lane Academy, which was founded by William Hogarth.

In 1762, he started working closely with Robert Adam, and in 1763 following the death of his father he took over the running of the family firm. These two combining factors pushed his work in a new classical direction, primarily the re-introduction of marquetry into English furniture manufacture.  Linnell’s many and varied works rivalled those of other leading furniture makers such as Thomas Chippendale, Mayhew and Ince and John Cobb for aesthetic beauty and taste.