Details of Sculptor

Surname

Maile

Alternative Surname

First Name

Richard

Initial of Surname

M

Year of Birth/Baptism

Flourished

Year of Death

1787

Biographical Details

An advertisement in the Public Advertiser for 15 February 1774 (p3) reads ‘CHIMNEY PIECES The Nobility and Gentry who have occasion for elegant Marble Chimney Pieces have now an opportunity of seeing several suitable for the most elegant Rooms, just completed by Maile, and set up in a large Room for Inspection at his House, No. 6 Riding-house Lane, near Portland-Street Chapel, Marylebone’.
In 1773, when redecoration of the drawing room at Drayton House, Northants was in progress under the direction of the plasterer and decorator William Rhodes, Richard Maile was paid for a chimneypiece (1). Rhodes also supervised redecoration of the dining room in 1771 and since many of the same craftsmen were involved in both schemes it is likely that ‘The Chimney piece as Pr Agreement’ for that room, with a relief of Belisarius, which was charged at £130, is also by Maile (Drayton Archive, GG/74/81). Both chimneypieces are still at Drayton and that in the dining room is the more elaborate. There is a copy of it at Serlby Hall, Lincs.
Maile’s will, proved on 11 September 1787, left instructions for the disposal of an extensive estate, comprising property in Willesden Green, a house in Southwark, and a large residence in Norton Street, Marylebone, which included ‘shops, stables, coach houses and other buildings’. He left shares worth over £1,200 and annuities to his wife Mary and his brothers Joseph, George and William. His nephews Richard and Joseph inherited the house in Norton Street. One of Maile’s executors was his neighbour and friend Peter Matthias Vangelder, who was asked to organise a sale of Maile’s stock in trade, furniture, horses and carriages (PROB 11/1157/134-7). (Inf. David Alexander and Bruce Bailey)