William Ince Cabinet Maker 1737-1804

In this fascinating and painstakingly researched study of the Ince family, Sarah Ingle, herself of this family, vividly brings to life a quintessential English story, with roots stretching far back into rural Worcestershire in the sixteenth century. In this early period, the redoubtable Maude Ince stands out, and over succeeding generations, the fabric of English life unfolds in this splendid account, embracing as varied a crop of individuals as could well be imagined, including wheelwrights, glovers, weavers, glass grinders and cabinet-makers. Not the least of these was William Ince, partner of John Mayhew in one of the most important and influential cabinet-making concerns of the eighteenth century. William Ince's own family and their descendants tell a rich and varied story, reflecting some of the extraordinary changes brought about in England by the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century and the rise of the British Empire in the 19th century, and in this delightfully illustrated book is to be found a unique and invaluable record of a family with connections that eventually stretched as far afield as America, South Africa and India. Sir Hugh Roberts Surveyor Emeritus of The Queen's Works of Art As a passionate admirer of the design and construction of furniture of the 18th century, it was a great privilege to be asked to review the second edition of this absolutely fascinating book. Ince and Mayhew does not roll off the tongue to the average person in the street as Chippendale does, but William Ince was every much as great a cabinet maker and designer as Thomas Chippendale. The quality and design of his work is superb and the firm was patronised by just as many society people as Chippendale was. They even openly followed Chippendale by publishing their own catalogue called The Universal System of Household Furniture. Mayhew was the businessman and Ince was the creative partner and his use of fine inlays and incredible detail were second to none. This sets the firm above many who followed them as they were leaders in this field. Unfortunately, many items from the workshop were never signed, but the fine detailing in their furniture will back the name up. This book provides the reader with a real sense of how life was lived during that great period of English furniture making, when so many of the great cabinet makers of the day worked almost alongside each other around Golden Square. Sarah has put an enormous amount of effort into researching pieces made by the firm and who they were made for, as well as her family history and that of John Mayhew. Like her predecessor, she seems to have inherited his humble and fair-minded characteristic, as she has presented both sides of their story in a fair and equal way. You will now need to read on to find out the full history! Lennox Cato Furniture Specialist Antiques Roadshow