William Hampton reputedly founded his company in the 1830s, and was joined in the business by his sons George and William in 1869 when they operated from premises at 8 Pall Mall, creating Hampton & Sons. Advertising as 'cabinet makers, upholsterers, bed & mattress makers, carpet warehousemen, retailers and antique dealers', by the end of the century the company had acquired other notable firms like James Coulson & Co., Goodall, Lamb, and Heighway, and Robson & Sons, Ltd.
Hampton & Sons were themselves bought by Waring & Gillow, but continued to trade under the same name. They specialised in furnishing ships, institutions, and hotels. Notable establishments included the Cunard liners Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary as clients, as well as the new Royal Yacht Britannia in 1952. In London they furnished the iconic Dorchester and May Fair Hotels, while farther afield they decorated the palaces of Prince Nizam of Hyderabad and the Maharaja of Kashmir.
We are delighted to present this fine chippendale style mahogany desk by Hampton & Sons, made in the late 19th Century, richly carved with flower and foliate scrolls, in our forthcoming Five Centuries auction taking place in Edinburgh on 22 & 23 February.
douglas.girton@lyonandturnbull.com