Knowles, Richard

London; cabinet maker (1783–93)

In 1783 at 8 Gt Earl St, Seven Dials where he took out insurance cover for £400 of which half was for utensils and stock. From 1789 at 27 Tottenham Ct Rd. [GL, Sun MS vol. 317, p. 82]. A mahogany secretaire bookcase, c.1785-90, has an inscription in ink in a prospect drawer which itemises the cost of the hardware and that Richard Knowles was paid £11-11s (illus. Gilbert (1996), figs 559-560, sold Christie’s, 5 Dec 1985, lot 181).

Source: DEFM; Gilbert, Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture 1700-1840 (1996).