Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2011.01.02 |
Object Name |
Model, Product |
Features |
Model, product (miniature chair). Salesman sample. Intricately carved wood frame. Front two legs are turned, back two are simple and flared, with "H" support connecting legs. Upholstery on seat and backrest are burgundy with a floral pattern with white leaves. Arms are curved. Carved cross rail. |
Object Story |
Salesman's samples, worked in miniature, were used by sales staff to show different styles and designs to prospective customers. Gibbard furniture of the early 20th century was noticeably conservative in style, compared to contemporary designs. Salesman's samples in the Jacobean Revival style, popular in the early 20th century. Jacobean Revival furniture has straighter, more rectangular lines and heavier use of decorative carvings than the Renaissance Revival styles Salesman's samples such as this miniature chair were a common way to show products in the 19th and 20th centuries. These small scale versions of full sized products were used to show style, material, and other details to manufacturers and retailers. Furthermore, salesmen would travel door to door with these samples to advertise and sell the full sized version to customers. This sample is likely a miniature representation of one of the available chairs for the Gibbard Suite No. 131 'The St. George'. This is based on it's shape and details in the wood. However the upholstery present was not one of the listed options available for this set, which was blue or brown Spanish leather, or blue or taupe mohair. Gibbard Furniture was a company founded by John Gibbard who was born in 1813. Around adulthood he became an apprentice to his Father, who was a carpenter and millwright. In 1836 John Gibbard moved to Napanee where he at one point worked for John Benson installing doors and windows for Benson's store. In 1860 he leased a mill from William Bartels where he made furniture as well as doors, coffins, and more. His business grew throughout his life and managed to overcome the significant challenge of two separate fires. John Gibbard passed away in 1908. Gibbard Furniture remained in the his family until 1940 when it was purchased by Jack McPherson a former Gibbard sale's manager. It remained in the McPherson family until 2009 when the factory was shut down. |
People |
Gibbard, John Benson, John Bartels, William Mcpherson McPherson, Jack |
Subjects |
Salesmen Samples Miniatures Furniture Furniture industry |
Search Terms |
Gibbard's Furniture Gibbards Gibbard Furniture Gibbard |