17/06/2021
***. SOLD ***
A rare Tasmanian-made Blackwood bookcase by little-known cabinet maker, Frederick George Knight of New Town (Hobart). Of slender and elegant proportions. In excellent and original condition. Circa 1884-90. Multi-stamped with makers mark.
Frederick arrived into Hobart per the S.S. Gulf of Carpentaria in February 1884. He is listed in the immigrant list as 28 years of age, a London cabinet maker, with wife and 5 children. Their youngest died en-route, so technically they arrived with 4 children. Frederick Knight isn’t listed as a known cabinet maker in the two reference volumes on Tasmanian furniture manufactures of the era. And doesn’t appear in the Tasmanian Post Office Directories as operating in this line of business.
He resided in New Town, then later in Swan Street, Hobart. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in the early 1900s but little more is currently known about this apparently most capable cabinet maker. He is notably the manufacturer of a handsome Blackwood casket, mounted in silver by Hobart Jeweller/Silversmith, Butterfield, for presentation to the Duke & Duchess of Cornwall & York in 1901 during their Royal Tour. Due to the death of Queen Victoria, George & Mary made the trip in place of Edward, who was preparing for the Coronation.
Australian Antique & Art Dealers Association
