R. J. Horner & Co- New York made this Carved Oak Serpentine China Cabinet with Northwind Face, Griffen Claw Feet and Curved Glass

MUST SELL in South TAMPA FLORIDA

Company History

In 1886, Robert J. Horner set up his business at 61-65 West 23rd Street in Manhattan. What made his marketing plan unique is that he targeted not only wealthy New Yorkers who were seeking to furnish or redecorate their homes, but those of more moderate means as well. In fact, the company specifically referred to its wares as "First-class and Medium Quality Furniture" in its advertising at the time. In this way, Horner took up where J&J.W. Meeks had left off in 1868.

An article in The New York Times written within the year the firm opened noted that Horner reproduced "European novelties", but was also an innovator with new designs and always on the cusp of emerging trends. The feature also noted that the company manufactured all their own goods at that time. They used fine mahogany and oak hardwoods to produce high style pieces

Early items made by the firm included Louis XVI style drawing room suites, ornately carved oak dining sets and a variety of bedroom furniture, as noted in the aforementioned Times article. This manufacturer is also known for its two-sided partner’s desks, hall trees, parlor sets, and high quality upholstered pieces.

During the 1890s, the company also made stained Maple furniture inspired by Japanese furnishings. These pieces with a light yellow tint seemed to be for use in more informal settings when compared to the firm’s more lavish designs, according to rarevictorian.com.

On the upper floors of Horner’s business were the showrooms, which set the standard for displaying complete rooms of furniture still seen in today’s retail outlets. They were designed to give young homemakers direction in "how they should set about furnishing their houses."

In 1887, the company began advertising a pamphlet available to its customers entitled "Our American Homes and How to Furnish Them". Not only did this leaflet provide decorating tips, it also featured a number of items available to consumers through the business. This is reportedly the only known advertising ephemera produced by Horner, or at least the only one that Victorian furniture historians have discovered thus far.

By 1891, Horner was also importing goods such as Venetian sideboards and Louis XV style writing desks, among other home furnishings. These items were advertised by Horner as being made abroad expressly for the New York store.

1893 and Beyond

The Financial Panic of 1893, the worst economic crisis America had known at the time, greatly impacted most businesses of non-essential goods. R.J. Horner & Co. was no exception. Horner himself saw new furniture as a luxury, and completely understood the need to persevere through the economic downturn.

In an effort to draw potential customers into the store, however, the Princess Metternich salon that had previously been on display at the Chicago Exposition was installed in the store. The New York Times reported that the walls and ceilings of the recreated room of royalty were made of painted tapestry panels finished with white and gold. The furnishings within were equally as grand.

In spite of this marketing ploy, Horner admitted that it didn’t help business much as furniture was "very much a luxury." He saw holding steady as the best course of action until the economy improved in all sectors and consumer confidence improved, which eventually did happen and the business began to thrive once again.

R.J. Horner then merged with George Flint’s company to form Horner and Flint in 1915. Robert Horner Jr. managed the business at the time, and his father went on to retire. Obituaries showing great respect are on record stating that the elder Horner passed away in 1922 at the age of 68 after suffering a brief illness.

Identifying R.J. Horner Furniture

Nailed porcelain plaques identifying the manufacturer can be found on some pieces, according to information provided by Christie’s and relayed through rarevictorian.com. Paper labels indicating the origin can also still be found attached to some pieces made in the Horner factory or imported by the firm. Others are identified by the style of the carving when labels are not present.

The overall carving covering some R.J. Horner pieces is fairly distinctive, like that seen in the example shown above. Many times they also included winged griffins and gargoyles, dolphins, caryatids, cherubs, and extensive gadrooning, which were all popular furniture embellishments during the late 1800s revived from earlier periods. These carvings are of high quality, but not completely unique when compared to the work of other Victorian furniture manufacturers doing business in competition with Horner.

About the Piece Shown Above

This very ornately carved Oak China Cabinet by R.J. Horner & Co. has been in my family since I was a teenager, my mother bought it from a dear friend's uncle in Tennessee and has been well cared for. Movers cracked the glass on the right side at the top in a small area (see photo), I priced a new glass at three hundred dollars. It features the type of allover carving many of Horner’s pieces exhibit.