Thomas Elfe Cabinetmaker
by Samual A. Humphrey
Format: Trade Paperback, 116 pages
Date: 1995
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
ISBN: 978-0941711153
Status: Out of Print (but commonly available)
Date Read: 5 May 2023
Rating: 4/5 stars
The book is the work of an amateur furniture maker and historian who endeavors to contribute to the body of work that can be attributed to Thomas Elfe.
Thomas Elfe, born in 1719, was a London-trained cabinetmaker who arrived in Charles Towne (as it was known then) in the Colony of South Carolina sometime before 1747 and remained active there until his death in 1775.
What makes Elfe particularly interesting, aside from the quality of his work, is the survival of his last account book, which details sales from 1768 to 1775. Using that as a starting point, it’s possible, with some detective work, to connect some of these sales to surviving pieces of furniture. Given that Elfe worked before if became fashionable to label to or sign furniture, this task is challenging. The author studied pieces that already have solid attribution and derived a set of characteristics that seem to uniquely identify Elfe’s work, or at least that of his shop. Considering the volume of sales, he must have had several people working for him during this period.
The book is well designed and laid-out, featuring numerous measured line drawing and a section of color plates in the center. It is evident that the author had experienced help in this regard. However, the prose is inconsistent, occasionally repetitive, and lacking depth in some areas. The book would have greatly benefited from a stronger editor.
As is customary for books of this kind (for example, see my Ipswich review), it begins with background and context for the artist under study. This is one of my favorite aspects of these studies as understanding the context provides valuable insights into design and material choices. In this regard, the book does a commendable job, presenting much new material. For instance, during Elfe’s active period, Charleston, South Carolina was the wealthiest city in the Colonies, surpassing even Philadelphia. Consequently, it supported numerous tradesmen who furnished the homes of wealthy plantation owners and traders in the region. Therefore, it is no mystery that a cabinetmaker like Elfe would choose Charleston over the northern cities.
Following the introduction is a detailed examination of 23 surviving pieces of furniture that the author believes can be attributed to Elfe. Notably, each piece is accompanied by a measured drawing, although they may not be as detailed as those found in Popular Woodworking. Nonetheless, they are sufficient for an experienced woodworker to construct a credible reproduction. Personally, I am not particularly inclined towards case pieces as projects for myself, given the cost of wood, the space required to construct them, and the room they occupy once completed. However, I am sure that I will encounter them in the future, and I enjoyed learning about their construction techniques and how the Southern style differs from those found in Tidewater or New England.
For the amateur furniture historian and woodworker, the book is easily worth the $5 or $8 I spent on it used on Amazon. Recommended.