Alexandra Alevizatos Kirtley
Survival of the Fittest: The Lloyd Family’s Furniture Legacy

American Furniture 2002

Full Article
Contents
  • Figure 1
    Figure 1

    Wye House, Talbot County, Maryland, ca. 1787. (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 2
    Figure 2

    Circa 1896 photograph showing (left to right) Elizabeth Phoebe Key Howard, Charles Howard Lloyd, Joanna Leigh Lloyd, and Mary Lloyd Howard Lloyd.

  • Figure 3
    Figure 3

    Charles Willson Peale, The Edward Lloyd Family, Maryland, 1771. Oil on canvas. 48" x 57 1/2". (Courtesy, Winterthur Museum.)

  • Figure 4
    Figure 4

    Benjamin West, Richard Bennett Lloyd, London, ca. 1773. Oil on canvas. 36" x 28". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 5
    Figure 5

    Charles Willson Peale, The Family of John Cadwalader, Philadelphia, 1771. Oil on canvas. 51 1/2" x 41 1/4". (Courtesy, Philadelphia Museum of Art.)

  • Figure 6
    Figure 6

    Upholstered armchair, England, ca. 1760. Walnut with beech. H. 37 3/4", W. 28 1/4", D. 23". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 7
    Figure 7

    Tall clock case, probably Easton, Maryland, ca. 1790. Walnut with tulip poplar, yellow pine, and oak. H. 91", W. 19", D. 10". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.) The movement is by Daniel Quare and Stephen Horseman of London and dates about 1715.

  • Figure 8
    Figure 8

    Salver by Jacob Marsh, London, 1754. Silver. H. 3 1/2", Diam. 28". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 9
    Figure 9

    Detail of the engraving on the salver illustrated in fig. 8.

  • Figure 10
    Figure 10

    Bread basket by John Wirgman, London, 1754. Silver. H. 12 1/2", L. 13 1/2". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 11
    Figure 11

    Platter, Chinese export for the British market, 1755–1760. Porcelain. 18" x 15". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 12
    Figure 12

    Cannon, England, ca. 1720. Bronze, iron, steel, and wood. L. 26". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 13
    Figure 13

    Coat-of-arms of the Lloyd family, England, ca. 1785. Watercolor on paper. 12 3/4" x 15 3/4". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 14
    Figure 14

    Coat-of-arms of the Lloyd family, England, ca. 1785. Watercolor on paper. 9 3/4" x 7 1/2". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 15
    Figure 15

    Side chair attributed to the shop of Benjamin Randolph, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ca. 1769. Mahogany with white cedar. H. 36 3/4", W. 21 3/4" (seat), D. 17 7/8" (seat). (Chipstone Foundation; photo, Hans Lorenz.)

  • Figure 16
    Figure 16

    Circa 1935 photograph showing part of the Wye House estate. The house, gardens, and greenhouse are oriented on a north-south axis.

  • Figure 17
    Figure 17

    Pier glasses, London, ca. 1755. Woods not identified. Left: H. 104" (not including appliqué), W. 41 1/2". Right: H. 104" (not including appliqué), W. 56 3/4". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 18
    Figure 18

    Detail of the appliqué and guilloche on the left pier glass illustrated in fig. 17.

  • Figure 19
    Figure 19

    “Moldings for Tabernacle Frames” illustrated on pl. 78 of Batty and Thomas Langley’s The Builder’s Jewell, or Youth’s Instructor (1741). (Courtesy, Winterthur Museum Library: Printed Book and Periodical Collection.)

  • Figure 20
    Figure 20

    Bedstead with foot posts dating 1755–1770. The mahogany posts are probably British, although similar examples were made in Philadelphia. The bed that the posts came from probably had a carved or molded cornice and elaborate curtains.

  • Figure 21
    Figure 21

    Design for a “Canopy Bed” with gothic posts illustrated on plate 30 in the first edition of Thomas Chippendale’s The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director (1754). (Courtesy, Winterthur Library: Printed Book and Periodical Collection.)

  • Figure 22
    Figure 22

    Chase-Lloyd House, Annapolis, Maryland, ca. 1773. Architect William Buckland was responsible for the interior and exterior design. He had previously worked on Mt. Airy, the home of Elizabeth Tayloe’s parents in Richmond County, Virginia.

  • Figure 23
    Figure 23

    “French chair,” London, ca. 1772. Beech with oak. H. 34 1/2", W. (seat) 24", D. 20" (seat). (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 24
    Figure 24

    Bureau bookcase, London, 1750– 1760. Mahogany with cedrella, oak, and an unidentified conifer. H. 101", W. 47", D. 24". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.) The gilding is modern.

  • Figure 25
    Figure 25

    Bookstand, London, 1750–1760. Mahogany. H. 29", W. 24", D. 19". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 26
    Figure 26

    Detail showing one of the doors in the principal first floor room of the Chase-Lloyd House. The carving is attributed to Thomas Hall.

  • Figure 27
    Figure 27

    Design for a “Desk and Bookcase” illustrated on plate 78 in the first edition of Thomas Chippendale’s The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director (1754). (Courtesy, Winterthur Museum Library: Printed Book and Periodical Collection.) This plate also illustrates leaves bound with ribbon as an optional frieze ornament on the left side. This motif, which occurs on the pier glasses ordered by Edward Lloyd III, was extremely popular in British furniture and architectural carving.

  • Figure 28
    Figure 28

    Desk-and-bookcase, Annapolis, John Shaw (active 1771–1819), 1797. Mahogany and light wood inlays with yellow pine and tulip poplar. H. 98 1/2", W. 41 1/4", D. 23 1/2". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.) The design of the pediment is based on plate 57 of Thomas Sheraton’s The Cabinetmaker and Upholsterer’s Drawing Book (1793).

  • Figure 29
    Figure 29

    Detail of the pediment of the desk-and-bookcase illustrated in fig. 28. (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 30
    Figure 30

    Card table, London, ca. 1772. Mahogany, satinwood and mahogany veneer, ebony and other unidentified inlays with beech and an unidentified soft wood. H. 29 1/2", W. 35 3/4", D. 16 3/4". This table is one of a pair remaining in Wye House. (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 31
    Figure 31

    Shaving table, probably Annapolis, Maryland, ca. 1777. Mahogany with tulip poplar and yellow pine. H. 29 1/4", W. 19 3/4", D. 19 3/4". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 32
    Figure 32

    Writing table, probably Annapolis, Maryland, ca. 1773. Mahogany with tulip poplar and yellow pine. H. 33", W. 36", D. 17 1/2". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 33
    Figure 33

    Desk, Eastern Shore or Annapolis vicinity of Maryland, 1765–1780. Walnut with yellow pine. H. 38", W. 35 1/2", D. 18 1/2". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 34
    Figure 34

    Side chair, England, ca. 1792. Mahogany with beech. H. 35 1/2", W. 21", D. 19". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.) During the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, Baltimore chair makers produced their own version of this splat design. Imported chairs like those ordered by Edward Lloyd IV probably influenced local production.

  • Figure 35
    Figure 35

    Side chair by Potthast Bros., Baltimore, Maryland, ca. 1917. Mahogany. H. 40", W. 24", D. 19". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 36
    Figure 36

    Armchair, England, ca. 1795, modified by J. W. Berry & Sons of Baltimore, Maryland, ca. 1920. Mahogany. H. 37 1/2", W. 22", D. 20". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 37
    Figure 37

    Silver and glass plateau by William Pitts and Joseph Preedy with alabaster figures, London, 1792–1793. (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.) The three sections shown here are 52" long. With the two missing sections in place, the plateau measures 89 1/2".

  • Figure 38
    Figure 38

    Chest of drawers, England, ca. 1790. Mahogany and light wood inlay with oak and an unidentified soft wood. H. 35", W. 37", D. 22". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 39
    Figure 39

    John and Josiah Boydell, Richard III Act V Scene II, London ca. 1792. Etching and engraving on wove paper. Frame dimensions: 22 1/2" x 30 1/2". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 40
    Figure 40

    Detail of the back of the print illustrated in fig. 39. The inscription indicates that the print was part of a shipment to Edward Lloyd IV.

  • Figure 41
    Figure 41

    Balls for lawn bowling, England, 1785–1800. (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 42
    Figure 42

    View of the graveyard at Wye. (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 43
    Figure 43

    View of the graveyard at Wye. (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 44
    Figure 44

    Greenhouse at Wye, Talbot County, Maryland, 1740s and 1786. (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 45
    Figure 45

    Billiard table by John Shaw, Annapolis, Maryland, ca. 1800. Mahogany and light and dark inlays with tulip poplar and yellow pine. H. 38", L. 139 1/2", W. 72 3/4". (Courtesy, Winterthur Museum.)

  • Figure 46
    Figure 46

    Jonathan Fairbanks after Charles Willson Peale, The Edward Lloyd Family, 1959. Oil on canvas. 43 3/4" x 52". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 47
    Figure 47

    John Beale Bordley (1800–1882), Governor Edward Lloyd V, Maryland, 1828. Oil on canvas. 28 3/4" x 23 3/4". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 48
    Figure 48

    Secretary, Baltimore, Maryland, 1790–1800. Mahogany and light and dark wood inlays with yellow pine, tulip poplar, and white pine. H. 43", W. 42", D. 22". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 49
    Figure 49

    Clothes press, probably by James Martin, Baltimore, Maryland, 1797. Mahogany with tulip poplar and white pine. H. 82 1//2", W. 53 3/4", D. 24". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 50
    Figure 50

    Card table, Baltimore, Maryland, 1790–1800. Mahogany and light and dark wood inlays with white pine, oak, and yellow pine. H. 31 1/2", W. 42 1/2" D. 21" (closed). (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 51
    Figure 51

    Card table, Baltimore Maryland, 1790–1800. Mahogany and light and dark wood inlays with white pine, oak, and tulip poplar. H. 29 1/2", W. 36", D. 18" (closed). (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.) One of the inlay woods is Botany Bay oak, an exotic from Australia.

  • Figure 52
    Figure 52

    Armchair attributed to William Singleton (active 1790–1803), Baltimore, Maryland, ca. 1800. Mahogany and light wood inlays with tulip poplar, ash, and maple. H. 38", W. 21", D. 19". (Courtesy, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.)

  • Figure 53
    Figure 53

    Card table with decoration attributed to John and Hugh Finley, Baltimore, Maryland, 1808–1815. Tulip poplar with oak, white pine, and maple. H. 28 3/4", W. 36", D. 18". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 54
    Figure 54

    Cornice by John and Hugh Finley, Baltimore, Maryland, 1828. Tulip poplar. H. 8", L. 59". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.) The festoon is missing.

  • Figure 55
    Figure 55

    End of a three-part dining table attributed to Edward Priestley (active 1801–1837), Baltimore, Maryland, ca. 1812. Mahogany with tulip poplar and oak. H. 28 1/2", W. 56 3/4", L. 164" (with all sections assembled). (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 56
    Figure 56

    Sofa attributed to Edward Priestley, Baltimore, Maryland, ca. 1812. Mahogany with tulip poplar. H. 35", W. 96", D. 24 1/4". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 57
    Figure 57

    Card table attributed to Edward Priestley, Baltimore, Maryland, ca. 1812. Mahogany with white pine, tulip poplar, oak, and beech. H. 28 3/4", W. 36", D. 17 1/2". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 58
    Figure 58

    Circa 1915 photograph showing a sideboard attributed to Edward Priestley, Baltimore, Maryland, 1810–1815. (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 59
    Figure 59

    Pair of knife vases, England, ca. 1800. Mahogany with oak and an unidentified conifer. H. 29", Diam. 12 1/2". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 60
    Figure 60

    Writing table attributed to Edward Priestley, Baltimore, Maryland, 1810–1815. Mahogany with tulip poplar and white pine; blue baize writing surface. H. 36", W. 36", D. 17 3/4". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 61
    Figure 61

    Section of handrailing by Edward Priestley, Baltimore, Maryland, 1826. Mahogany. (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 62
    Figure 62

    Chamber table, Baltimore, Maryland, ca. 1825. Mahogany with cedrella, white pine, and tulip poplar. H. 33", W. 26", D. 22". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 63
    Figure 63

    Mantle clock, France, 1810–1820. Bronze, brass, steel, glass, enamel, and silk. H. 14 1/2", W. 11", D. 4 3/4". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 64
    Figure 64

    Chest of drawers, Baltimore, Maryland, 1795–1810. Mahogany with tulip poplar and white pine. H. 39 1/4", W. 39 1/2", D. 21 1/4". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.) This chest is one of four that remain in Wye House.

  • Figure 65
    Figure 65

    Sideboard table and liquor case by Edward Priestley, Baltimore, Maryland, 1827. Sideboard table: Mahogany with tulip poplar and white pine; Pennsylvania clouded limestone. H. 42 3/4", W. 62", D. 26 3/4". Liquor case: Mahogany with tulip poplar and white pine. H. 20 1/4", W. 26 1/2", D. 17 1/2". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.) Carved heads like those on the table are illustrated on plate 57 of Thomas Hope’s Household Furniture and Interior Decoration (1807).

  • Figure 66
    Figure 66

    Wardrobe, Baltimore, Maryland, 1825–1835. Mahogany with white pine and tulip poplar. H. 82", W. 54", D. 23 1/2". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 67
    Figure 67

    Wardrobe, Baltimore, Maryland, ca. 1825. Mahogany with white pine and tulip poplar. H. 80", W. 80", D. 20". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 68
    Figure 68

    Wardrobe, Baltimore, Maryland, 1835–1845. Mahogany and rosewood inlay with white pine and tulip poplar. H. 86 3/4", W. 57", D. 21 1/2". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 69
    Figure 69

    Wardrobe, Baltimore, Maryland, 1835–1845. Mahogany with white pine, tulip poplar, and white cedar. H. 84 1/2", W. 66 1/4", D. 21". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 70
    Figure 70

    Armoire, probably New Orleans, Louisiana, ca. 1825. Mahogany with cypress, tulip poplar, and white pine. H. 90 1/2", W. 56 1/2", D. 21 3/4". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 71
    Figure 71

    Side chair, possibly by Tweed & Bonnell, New York, 1835–1840. Mahogany. H. 34", W. 18 1/2", D. 18 1/2". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 72
    Figure 72

    Sideboard table, Baltimore, Maryland, 1825–1835. Mahogany with tulip poplar, oak, and white pine; marble. H. 40", W. 56", D. 24 3/4". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 73
    Figure 73

    Rocking chair, probably Talbot County, Maryland, 1830–1840. Maple with oak. H. 46", W. 28 1/2", D. 33". (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 74
    Figure 74

    View of the north side of Wye House. (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

  • Figure 75
    Figure 75

    Detail of the left arm of the rocking chair illustrated in fig. 73.

  • Figure 76
    Figure 76

    Detail of the right arm of the rocking chair illustrated in fig. 73.

  • Figure 77
    Figure 77

    Bedroom suite, Hart, Ware & Co., probably Baltimore, ca. 1855. (Photo, Gavin Ashworth.) Hart, Ware & Co. maintained warehouses in Philadelphia from 1852 to 1854 and in Baltimore from 1855 to 1859. The suite has painted decoration in imitation of mother-of-pearl.