THE CANADIAN SOCIETY OF DECORATIVE ARTS
The Canadian Society of Decorative Arts/ Cercle canadien des arts décoratifs was formed, with the generous support of the Macdonald Stewart Foundation, to provide a forum for all those interested in the decorative arts.
The Ontario Arts Council is an Agency of the Government of Ontario
Furniture at Fanningbank: A Story of Survival in PEI
Catherine Hennessey, C.M.
Inventory of Government House
Journal of the House of Assembly, 1835
Appendix C, page 2, RG3s1ss2
Public Archives and Records Office of
Prince Edward Island
It was an ambitious act in 1829 for a colony the size of Prince Edward Island to authorize the appointment of commissioners to negotiate a loan for the purpose of erecting a Government House. Their efforts were successful. By June 1832 a contract was awarded to build the house now called Fanningbank. It remains to this day the pride of Islanders. Up until that time the Lieutenant-Governor had lived in “hired houses and in which there is no furniture of any description.” So wrote Aretas Young, the colony’s sixth Lieutenant-Governor and who was to be the first incumbent in the new house. His letter was no doubt an exaggeration and would be one of many efforts at lobbying for the appropriate furnishings for his new residence. In a further step he appointed five commissioners to direct the purchasing of furnishings for the six public rooms with an approved budget of 1000 pounds.
The social life in this small colonial town centred around the government, the military garrison and the prominent families. Most of these families had strong ties to England and they travelled back and forth. The English mails were awaited with great interest. Lieutenant-Governors played a key role in this arrangement. Most were appointed after an active military or diplomatic career. Young himself moved in circles that would confirm his commitment to gracious living.
Whether the inventory itself was developed by the commissioners or by Young himself we will never know. The commissioners did report that they “unanimously agreed to the inventory of furniture”, but it could be more than a coincidence that Aretas Young just happened to be in London that summer when the furnishings were ordered. Any good furnishing shop could have assisted. The details of the inventory were very up-to-date and reflect a decorative understanding that is surprising. Take for example the fifteen pieces of glazed figured paper for the drawing room or the brussels carpets, or the antique ormolu spout lamp and especially the bell pulls and tassels. All in addition to the well-described pieces of fine furniture. It hardly seems likely that the five commissioners back on Prince Edward Island had such decorative awareness.
It was John Bainbridge Esq., the Colonial Agent in London who placed the order with Thomas and George Seddon, Cabinet Makers and Upholsterers. The third generation of this furniture manufacturing business was one of importance in the London scene and obviously one that was able to provide almost all furnishing amenities. Their grandfather had established his complete cabinet manufacturing business in 1753 on Aldersgate Street, one of the addresses mentioned in Bainbridge’s 1834 invoice to the firm. Their work in the refurnishing of Windsor Castle resulted in their being awarded the Royal Warrant in 1832. The firm petered out in 1868. Its impact on Colonial North America has yet to be studied.
... to read on please subscribe to ORNAMENTVM return to Table of Contents