James Giles
James Giles (1718-1780) was a decorator of porcelain and glass.
1718 Born. His father, also called James, was the son of a Huguenot refugee from Nimes named Gilles, and was recorded living in London in 1729 as a 'China Painter'.
1733 James Junior was indentured to John Arthur, a jeweller at St-Martin-in the-Fields
1745 May have been leasing a tenement in Worcester.
c.1756 Rented a workshop with a kiln in Kentish Town before moving to Berwick Street by 1763.
1767 With his reputation growing, he rented a showroom in the Arts Museum in fashionable Cockspur Street, facing the Haymarket, apparently with the backing of the Worcester porcelain factory.
1771 Moved to different premises in the same street at the end of his association with Worcester.
Giles bought porcelain from many sources, some in white, some with existing patterns that he either removed or extended. Likewise, his work on glass varied widely, appearing on domestic articles of all kinds and sizes and in many colours, including, it is suggested, an extensive series of scent bottles and other bijouterie for the luxury trade.
1774 Giles was bankrupt; although he may have been legally obliged to cease working on porcelain from 1774, it is feasible that he continued to decorate glass until his death.
1776 He was probably bankrupted again.
1777 His works and stock were acquired by William Duesbury
1780 Died
See Also
Sources of Information
- [1] Free Library