Fambrini & Daniels

Last updated

Fambrini & Daniels
IndustryBuilding materials company
Foundedc.1850?
Defunctafter 1949
FateDissolved
SuccessorLindum Artificial Stone (c1913)
HeadquartersCanwick Road, Lincoln
ProductsArtificial stone mouldings and Terracotta manufacturer

Fambrini and Daniels were artificial stone and architectural terracotta manufacturers in Canwick Road, Lincoln, England. The company was probably founded in 1838. [1] About 1913 it became the Lindum Stone Company which ceased trading after 1949. [2]

Contents

History

Joseph Fambrini, was born in Italy in 1815, possibly in Florence. He is first noted as a plaster manufacturer and landlord of the Packet Inn on Waterside North in Lincoln. [3] The workshops in the 1860s were in Waterside South and then Newton Street, in what is now Sippers (formerly the Crown and Cushion) Public House and the adjoining property. In 1872 he is described as a modeller, and manufacturer of Plaster of Paris, Roman, Parian and other cements, enrichments etc. [4] In 1878 he built a workshop at 85 Canwick Road, later developing it into the show-yard and offices of the company of Fambrini and Daniels. The surviving office building on Canwick Road of 1889, by the Lincoln architect William Mortimer, is a two-storied building of red brick, with many decorative features in brick and terracotta, including the city crest on the north elevation and an 1889 date-stone on the north elevation. [5] The building was listed Grade II in 1999. [6] In 1888 they also were manufacturing at the Excelsior Works in Monks Road, Lincoln an Imperishable Concrete Stone which they had invented. This was said to be a material resembling Portland stone and was used for embellishing the new Lincoln Hospital in that year. [7] and also for the New Grand Opera House in Hull in 1893 [8] After Fambrini's death in 1890, Daniel entered into a partnership with a Mr Webster. [9]

Examples of Fambrini and Daniels' work

Villa Firenze, Monks Road, Lincoln 1876 Villa Firenze, Monks Road, Lincoln 02.jpg
Villa Firenze, Monks Road, Lincoln 1876

Fambrini appears to have benefited from the rapid growth of Lincoln in the latter half of the 19th century. Many houses of the professional classes in the growing suburbs, as well as commercial buildings have artificial stone mouldings, often in the gothic revival style. However, only a few examples of their work can be definitely identified. In 1876 Fambrini had built for himself the large house on the corner of Monks Road (95 Monks Road) and Baggholme Road, and naturally had artificial stone to decorate it. Fambrini called this Florence villa, but after he died in 1890, his house was renamed Villa Firenze. [10] The Company's offices in Canwick Road were designed to exhibit many of the company's products. The eaves cornice have decorative corbels and banding, with above in parapet a projecting panel decorated with a pendant flag and wreath. Rainwater heads are in the form of monstrous heads. The side entrance facade has similar elaborate architectural detail. Topped with panel bearing Lincoln City coat of arms surmounted by segmental pediment bearing date 1889. Some red terracotta mouldings are used.

The Lincolnshire Chronicle in March 1894 reported that Fambrini and Daniels, have just erected an exceptionally large fountain at the Bridge of Weir, near Glasgow, for the trustees of the Orphanage Asylum of Scotland. The fountain is in red concrete, and stands 18 feet high. One of the special features of the structure is the large basin at the base, which, although seven feet in diameter, has been successfully cast in one piece. Basins of such dimensions are usually cast in sections ; to cast them in one piece is a task seldom attempted, and still less seldom accomplished. In this case the casting has been entirely successful, the completed basin weighing a ton and a half. The second basin of the fountain is supported by three huge Dolphins intertwined, and the top one by the kneeling figure of a Nubian boy. [11]

The company is known to have provided mouldings for the domes, finials and decorative panels on the stepped gables of Southport Opera House, Lord Street, Southport (1890–91) by the well known theatre architect Frank Matcham. They were described in The Builder as being of imperishable red concrete masonry. The Opera House, with a capacity for 2000, opened on 7 September 1891 and was destroyed by fire 1929. [12]

Possible Examples of Artificial Stone and Terracotta in Lincoln

Terracotta Archway, 27 Wragby Road, Lincoln, possibly by Fambrini and Daniels Terracotta Archway, 27 Wragby Road, Lincoln.jpg
Terracotta Archway, 27 Wragby Road, Lincoln, possibly by Fambrini and Daniels

There are many examples of decorative artificial stonework and terracotta decorative features on the later Victorian buildings in Lincoln. It is likely that William Mortimer would have patronised the company, particularly for his terracotta revival buildings such the Lincoln Liberal Club and the Oddfellows Hall. The terracotta used is a deeper reddish hue than that coming from other sources such as Ruabon and Doulton, used by another Lincoln architect William Watkins. This terracotta is of noticeably lower quality than that produced elsewhere and often tends to flake. [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Architectural terracotta</span> Fired clay construction material

Architectural terracotta refers to a fired mixture of clay and water that can be used in a non-structural, semi-structural, or structural capacity on the exterior or interior of a building. Terracotta is an ancient building material that translates from Latin as "baked earth". Some architectural terracotta is stronger than stoneware. It can be unglazed, painted, slip glazed, or glazed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burmantofts Pottery</span> Pottery and ceramics manufacturer

Burmantofts Pottery was the common trading name of a manufacturer of ceramic pipes and construction materials, named after the Burmantofts district of Leeds, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cast stone</span> Material simulating natural stone

Cast stone or reconstructed stone is a highly refined building material, a form of precast concrete used as masonry intended to simulate natural-cut stone. It is used for architectural features: trim, or ornament; facing buildings or other structures; statuary; and for garden ornaments. Cast stone can be made from white and/or grey cements, manufactured or natural sands, crushed stone or natural gravels, and colored with mineral coloring pigments. Cast stone may replace such common natural building stones as limestone, brownstone, sandstone, bluestone, granite, slate, coral, and travertine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Scorer</span> British architect (1923-2003)

Hugh Segar "Sam" Scorer FRIBA FRSA was an English architect who worked in Lincoln, England and was a leading pioneer in the development of hyperbolic paraboloid roof structures using concrete. He also was involved in architectural conservation and research into the work of local 19th-century architects, as well as founding an art gallery in Lincoln, now known as the Sam Scorer Gallery. He held the rare distinction of having two of his buildings listed within his lifetime.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Giles (architect)</span> British architect

John Giles was a British architect. He was born in Lincoln, probably in 1830, and his family came from Branston near Lincoln. He was articled to the Lincoln architect Pearson Bellamy. He had moved to London by 1859 and with Pearson Bellamy entered a number competitions for major public buildings. Of these only one, for Grimsby Town, was successful. In London he was responsible for a number of major projects including the Langham Hotel. He also started in 1869 on the design of hospitals with the Infirmary to Hampstead Union Workhouse. After a short period of partnership with Lewis Angel, when Stratford Town Hall was built and with Edward Biven, by 1873 he was in partnership with Albert Edward Gough. They were joined in the practice by J E Trollope and they became involved in the design of Arts and Crafts housing in London's west end. Giles had business interests in the City of London and was noted in 1867 as being a Director of the Imperial Guardian Life Insurance Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Marriott Blashfield</span> English property developer and mosaic floor and ornamental terracotta manufacturer

John Marriott Blashfield (1811–1882) was a property developer and mosaic floor and ornamental terracotta manufacturer. He originally worked for the cement makers Wyatt, Parker and & Co in Millwall, but moved the business to Stamford in Lincolnshire in 1858, when it was renamed The Stamford Terracotta Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Bell (British architect)</span> British architect

Charles Bell FRIBA (1846–99) was a British architect who designed buildings in the United Kingdom, including over 60 Wesleyan Methodist chapels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Watkins (architect)</span> English architect

William Watkins (1834–1926) was an architect who worked in Lincoln, England, and is particularly noted for his Terracotta Revival Architecture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Drury</span> English architect

Michael Drury was an English architect working in Lincoln.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Goddard (architect)</span> English architect

Henry Goddard was an English architect who was a member of a family of architects who worked in Leicester. He moved to Lincoln and was later in partnership with his son Francis Henry Goddard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Mortimer (architect)</span>

William Mortimer (1841/42–1913) was an architect working in Lincoln from around 1858. He also played for the Lincolnshire County Cricket team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Romanesque Revival architecture in the United Kingdom</span> 18th to 19th century architectural style

Romanesque Revival, Norman Revival or Neo-Norman styles of building in the United Kingdom were inspired by the Romanesque architecture of the 11th and 12th centuries AD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bellamy and Hardy</span> Architectural practice in Lincoln, England

Bellamy and Hardy was an architectural practice in Lincoln, England, that specialised particularly in the design of public buildings and non-conformist chapels. Pearson Bellamy had established his own architectural practice by 1845 and he entered into a partnership with James Spence Hardy in June 1853. Both partners had previously worked for the Lincoln architect William Adams Nicholson. Hardy was described as "Chief Clerk" to Nicholson. Hardy joined Pearson Bellamy immediately after the sudden death of Nicholson. As all known architectural drawings by the practice are signed Pearson Bellamy, it is likely that Bellamy was the architect and Hardy was the administrator in the practice. The partnership lasted until 1887. Bellamy continued to practise until 1896.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scorer and Gamble</span>

Scorer and Gamble was an architectural practice in Lincoln which operated between 1901 and 1913, although the name Scorer and Gamble continued to be used until 1930. The partnership was between William Scorer (1843–1934) and Henry Gilbert Gamble (1867–1944). The partnership operated from Bank Street Chambers Lincoln. Their work is described as "eclectic, ranging from the Arts and Crafts/Art Nouveau of Gainsborough Library (1905) to the more disciplined English Renaissance of Horncastle (1908) and later schools". In 1903, Gamble, who may have been the more talented designer was appointed architect to the Lindsey County Council Education Committee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Herbert Scaping</span> Irish architect (1866 - 1934)

Herbert C Scaping (1866-1934) was an architect who worked in Grimsby, Lincolnshire in the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau styles. He was born in Rathfarnham, co Dublin before his family moved to Hull, his only known family are his two daughters Rathlea and Rathgowry. He trained with Smith and Broderick of Hull, setting up his own practice in Grimsby in 1890. He became the Lincoln Diocesan surveyor and surveyor to Lord Heneage. Architect to the Grimsby Education Committee and Board of Guardians. His office was at Court Chambers in Grimsby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robey & Co</span>

Robey and Co. was an engineering company based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England which can be traced back to around 1849.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thropp and Harding</span> English surveyors and architects

Thropp and Harding were surveyors and an architectural practice in Lincoln working from 1 James Street and 29 Broadgate, Lincoln. James Thropp was initially in partnership with James Sandby Padley until 1881 He then worked on his own until 1901. Between 1891 and 1896, the Lincoln architect Herbert Henry Dunn was his assistant and at the same time, 1891–6, George Robinson Harding, was articled to him. In 1901 Thropp and Harding formed a partnership which was dissolved in Oct 1921. The architectural practice continued under Harding until after the Second World War. Thropp was a member of the Institute of Civil Engineers and was surveyor to the Lindsey County Council. In 1883 Thropp published a 3rd edition of Padley's large scale survey of Lincoln. James Thropp of 27 Bailgate died 8 September 1923

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Henry Cooper</span> English architect

John Henry Cooper (c. 1855 – 19 November 1910) was an architect who worked in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. Initially he worked for the Lincoln architect Henry Goddard, but had set up his own practice by 1888. He designed shops, chapels and houses in Lincoln and Lincolnshire, and he was surveyor to the Lincoln Co-operative Society.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fred Baker (architect)</span> English architect (1874–1936)

Fred Baker was an English architect working in Lincoln, Lincolnshire.

William Scorer (1843–1934) was an architect who worked mainly in Lincoln, but also in Liverpool and London.

References

  1. Advertisements in the Lincolnshire Echo in 1938 stated that this was the centenary year of the Company
  2. Entry in 1949 Kelly's Post Office directory for 1949
  3. White's Directory of Lincolnshire 1856, pg. 135 & pg. 137, where he is noted as working at 62 Waterside North as a Plaster figure maker.
  4. White's Directory 1872
  5. "Heritage Connect Lincoln". Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. , British Listed Buildings]
  7. Lincolnshire Chronicle 26 February 1888, pg 8.
  8. Lincolnshire Chronicle 17 March 1893 pg 5.
  9. Lincolnshire Echo - Saturday 19 January 1901 pg3
  10. It’s about Lincoln [It's About Lincoln
  11. Lincolnshire Chronicle - Friday 9 March 1894 pg8
  12. Southport Opera House illustration
  13. "Stratton" (1993) for other terracotta manufacturers.

Bibliography