A. H. Davenport and Company was a renowned American furniture manufacturer that left an indelible mark on the design and craftsmanship landscape.
Their legacy is a testament to the power of innovative design and exceptional craftsmanship.
Founded in 1864, the company's early years were marked by a focus on producing high-quality, affordable furniture for the masses.
A. H. Davenport and Company's commitment to quality and innovation led to the development of several groundbreaking designs, including the iconic "Davenport" sofa.
For more insights, see: Davenport (sofa)
About A. H. Davenport
A. H. Davenport was a British engineer and businessman.
He founded A. H. Davenport and Company in 1869.
The company started as a small tooling operation in Birmingham, England.
Davenport was known for his innovative approach to manufacturing, which helped the company grow rapidly.
He introduced new machinery and production techniques that increased efficiency and productivity.
The company's focus on quality and innovation helped it establish a reputation for excellence.
A. H. Davenport and Company became a leading manufacturer of precision tools and machinery.
Company History
A. H. Davenport and Company was founded by Albert H. Davenport in 1880, after he bought the Boston Furniture Company following the death of its owner.
Davenport began as a bookkeeper at the Boston Furniture Company in 1866 and expanded the business, opening a showroom in New York City. He produced high-end and custom-made furniture, which it retailed alongside fabrics, wallpaper, hardware, decorative items, and quality goods from a variety of makers.
The company's first big commission was for 225 pieces of furniture and decorative items for the Iolani Palace in Honolulu, Hawaii. They also executed highly carved, Byzantine-Romanesque-style cabinetwork and furniture for the New York Court of Appeals Room, designed by architect H.H. Richardson.
Here are some notable buildings where Davenport & Co. executed their designs:
- New York Court of Appeals Room (1883–84)
- John J. Glessner House (1885–87)
- Warder Mansion (1885–88)
- Massachusetts State House Annex (1895)
- Villard Houses (1882–84)
After Davenport's death in 1905, Francis H. Bacon attempted to buy Davenport & Co. but was unsuccessful. Bacon went on to establish his own furniture and interior design business in 1908.
Legacy
The legacy of A.H. Davenport and Company is a testament to the company's commitment to quality and craftsmanship.
The company's founder, Albert H. Davenport, donated the public library and its first 4,000 books to Squirrel Island, Maine, where he and his family would vacation.
Davenport's legacy extends beyond his personal philanthropy. The company continued to thrive after his death in 1905, with Francis H. Bacon attempting to buy the company but ultimately failing.
Bacon went on to establish his own furniture and interior design business in 1908. Meanwhile, Irving & Casson merged with Davenport & Co. around 1914, and the joint company continued in business until 1974.
Here are some notable examples of Davenport & Co.'s work that have survived to this day:
- Interior of Winn Memorial Library (1879), Woburn, Massachusetts.
- Interior of Billings Library (1883), Burlington, Vermont.
- Throne Room of the Iolani Palace, c. 1887.
- New York Court of Appeals Room in 2009.
- Furniture by A.H. Davenport and Company is in the collection of the White House and many other notable institutions.
These examples demonstrate the company's commitment to creating beautiful and functional spaces that stand the test of time.
Collection Information
The Irving & Casson collection is a treasure trove of company records, spanning 25 linear feet and partially microfilmed on 7 reels.
The collection includes photographs, correspondence, sales records, sketches, and printed material, providing a comprehensive look at the company's history.
REELS 150-151 contain renderings, photographs, and line drawings of furniture designed by Irving & Casson of Boston, created between 1910 and 1960, with most designs dating back to the 1920s and 1930s.
These designs showcase the company's expertise in furniture design during this period.
Other Architects
McKim, Mead and White designed the interiors for the George Eastman House in Rochester, New York. The company worked with Davenport & Co. on this project, which included a dining room similar to McKim's State Dining Room.
The Theodore Roosevelt desk, which survived a 1929 fire, was used in the modern Oval Office by Presidents Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
History
A.H. Davenport and Company was founded by Albert H. Davenport in 1866 as a bookkeeper at the Boston Furniture Company. He later bought the business around 1880 and expanded it, opening a showroom in New York City.
Davenport's first big commission was for 225 pieces of furniture and decorative items for the Iolani Palace in Honolulu, Hawaii. This was a significant milestone in the company's history and marked the beginning of their high-end furniture production.
The company produced custom-made furniture, which it retailed alongside fabrics, wallpaper, hardware, decorative items, and quality goods from various makers. This diversification helped establish Davenport & Co. as a leading interior design and furniture company.
In 1885, Davenport hired Francis H. Bacon, an architect from Richardson's office, to be his chief designer. Bacon would go on to design many notable pieces of furniture and cabinetwork for the company.
Davenport & Co. executed highly carved, Byzantine-Romanesque-style cabinetwork and furniture for the New York Court of Appeals Room, designed by Richardson. This room was described as "the finest courtroom in the world" by Lord Coleridge, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales.
The company produced furniture and interiors for architect Charles Brigham's 1895 annex to the Massachusetts State House in Boston. They also executed cabinetwork and furnishings for several notable buildings, including the Villard Houses in New York City and the Algonquin Club of Boston.
Here's a list of some of the notable buildings and interiors designed by Davenport & Co.:
- Interior of Winn Memorial Library (1879), Woburn, Massachusetts.
- Interior of Billings Library (1883), Burlington, Vermont.
- Throne Room of the Iolani Palace, c. 1887.
- New York Court of Appeals Room in 2009.
- Fireplace, New York Court of Appeals Room, before its 1916 relocation.
- Pedestal desk (c. 1884), from New York Court of Appeals Room.
- Converse Memorial Library (1885), Malden, Massachusetts.
- Warder Mansion dining room, c. 1890. Francis H. Bacon designed the Colonial-Revival furniture.
- Three sofas (c. 1899), Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, Hyde Park, New York.
- Reading Room, Massachusetts State House Annex, c. 1908.
- Interior of George Eastman House (1905), Rochester, New York.
- North wall of the State Dining Room, c. 1903.
- The Green Room in 1904.
- The Family Dining Room in 1907.
- Theodore Roosevelt desk in the Taft Oval Office, 1909.
- Wallpaper sold by Davenport & Co.
- "Davenport" sofa.
- The cane-back armchairs in the Oval Office were made by Davenport & Co. in 1902.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Midwesterners say davenport?
In some Great Lakes regions, particularly the Upper Midwest and surrounding areas, "davenport" is used as a synonym for "sofa" or "couch". This regional dialect is rooted in local history and geography, with usage dating back to before World War II.
Why were sofas called Davenports?
The term "Davenport" originated from A.H. Davenport Co., a Massachusetts furniture manufacturer, which created a distinctive boxy sofa design around 1900. This design became synonymous with the style and is still used to describe large upholstered sofas today.
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