Details of Sculptor

Surname

Gaffin

Alternative Surname

First Name

Thomas and Edward

Initial of Surname

G

Year of Birth/Baptism

Flourished

Year of Death

Biographical Details

Thomas Gaffin 1780-1855
Edward Gaffin 1819-1869
The Gaffin firm flourished between 1800 and the early 1900s and comprised at least 3 generations. Their showroom was at 63 Regent Street and they were responsible for large numbers of simple mural tablets in black and white marble. Gunnis describes them as the most prolific statuaries of the first half of the 19th century noting that from their workshop ‘poured forth an apparently unceasing flood of tame, dull and uninteresting monuments and memorial tablets. The number they produced must have run into thousands, the majority of which have a strong family likeness; unfortunately it was such a very plain family’. He adds that their best works, including a monument with a ‘lovely relief’ commemorating John Willis at Greatford, Worcs (39), date from the 1830s but ‘the memorials become duller and plainer as the years go on’.
Edward was recorded at 37, Warwick Street, Golden Square in 1822 (Pigot 1822, 153). His tradecard, which must date from this period describes him as a statuary and mason, supplying monuments, marble chimneypieces etc, from 37 Warwick Street and 1 Green’s Court, Little Pulteney Street, Golden Square. From 1827 the firm had a workshop at Kensington Place, Millbank. Edward Gaffin died on 28 July 1855 and is described on his death certificate as ‘Retired Sculptor Master’. The 1851 census states that his son, Thomas, was born in County Mayo. Edward died at his home in Bessborough Gardens, Pimlico, on 24 October 1869. Thomas and Edward are both buried at All Souls, Kensal Green.
Literary References: Gunnis 1968, 160; Potterton 1975, 47; Curl 2001, 197, 237
Archival References: GPC
Tradecard: for ‘M. Gay and E. Gaffin’, Heal Collection, BM 106.14f
Wills and Administrations: PPR, will of Thomas Gaffin, 18 November 1869, effects valued at under £1,600
The following list is arbitrary, but seeks to provide some idea of geographical distribution of the firm’s works: