Andrew Lenehan Colonial Cedar Hall Table with Label

Andrew Lenehan Colonial Australian cedar hall table with two drawers and double turned stretcher base, Sydney, New South Wales, mid 19th century. Bearing original circular paper label 'A. Lenehan's cabinet and upholstery Establishment, 179 Castlereagh Street, Sydney', 78 cm high, 136 cm wide, 57 cm deep. Andrew Lenehan was born in County Sligo, Ireland in 1815 and arrived in Sydney in 1835 with James Templeton, a Dublin cabinet maker. In 1841 Lenehan took-over Templeton's cabinet Making business in Castlereagh St. And an 1851 printed invoice describes Lenehan as a 'Designer & Manufacturer of superior Furniture'. He provided furniture for some of the finest houses in the colony, indeed he received vice- Regal patronage. From 1841 to his retirement some 30 years later, Lenehan conducted his cabinet making businesses in Castlereagh St, Pitt St & bridge St., Sydney, employing an extensive range of skilled craftsmen. In 1851, at the beginning of Australia's gold rush, it was Lenehan who was engaged to produce boxes made from native timbers to contain gold samples which were presented to Queen Victoria. Another very significant commission was the refurbishment of Government house, Sydney and Lenehan's pieces are still in use there today. The majority of Lenehan's pieces were constructed of Australian cedar throughout and cover the full range of household furnishings.