{{Short description|English architect and designer}} {{distinguish|Thomas Jekyll}} {{Infobox writer | name = Thomas Jeckyll | image = Thomas Jeckyll00.jpg | caption = Thomas Jeckyll and his father | birth_date = {{Birth date|1827|6|20|df=y}} | birth_place = Norfolk, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland | death_date = {{death date and age|1881|1|1|1827|6|20|df=y}} | occupation = Architect, Anglo-Japanese style Designer }}
'''Thomas Jeckyll''' (1827 Wymondham, Norfolk – 1881 Norwich) (baptised on 20 June 1827) <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.whistler.arts.gla.ac.uk/correspondence/people/biog/?bid=Jeck_T&initial=J|title=The Correspondence of James McNeill Whistler :: Biography|website=www.whistler.arts.gla.ac.uk}}</ref> was an English architect who excelled in the creation of metalwork and furniture strongly influenced by Japanese design, and is best known for his planning in 1876 of the ‘Peacock Room’ at 49 Princes Gate, London.
==Biography== thumb|Signature medallion used by Thomas Jeckyll thumb|Sideboard designed for the Oak Parlour at Heath Old Hall Thomas Jeckyll was a son of George Jeckell, a Nonconformist clerk who had taken holy orders, was curate of the Abbey Church in Wymondham and was married to Maria Ann Balduck. Thomas later changed his surname to 'Jeckyll.' His brother Henry was a brass founder in Dudley. He became ill in 1877 and later died at St Andrew's Hospital, Norwich.
==Career== He is regarded as an important figure in the Aesthetic Movement. The Tate states "the Arts and Crafts movement ... was a key direct influence on the Aesthetic Movement and Art Nouveau", the V&A sees the Aesthetic Movement as having "sparked a revolution in the architecture and interior decoration of houses that led to a widespread recognition of the need for beauty in everyday life".<ref>“Thomas Jeckyll Architect and Designer, 1827-1881” by Susan Weber Soros and Catherine Arbuthnott</ref> His ecclesiastical architecture was often controversial, for example the remarkable polychrome pointed Methodist Church in Holt, Norfolk (1862–3), and the plain Great Hautbois Holy Trinity Church (1864), both in Norfolk.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100018831|title=Thomas Jeckyll|website=Oxford Reference}}</ref> Between the 1850s and 1870s he extensively rebuilt the medieval church at Brome, Suffolk including adding a North transept and a rose window in Eastern end of the North aisle.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Thomas Jeckyll and St Mary, Brome|url=http://www.roundtowers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/The-Round-Tower-2013-December-read.pdf|journal=The Round Tower|publisher=The Round Tower Churches Society|volume=XL1| issue = 2|pages=6–11}}</ref>
Jeckyll started his career as a Gothic Revival architect in 1850 in Wymondham, planning rectories and schools, designing and restoring historic homes, such as Elsing Hall near Dereham,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elsinghall.com/history.htm|title=Elsing Hall Gardens: History|publisher=Elsing Hall|access-date=15 May 2021}}</ref> Gothic Revival churches, such as at Sculthorpe, and constructing and improving farmhouses and agricultural buildings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bgc.bard.edu/exhibitions/exhibitions/44/thomas-jeckyll|title=Thomas Jeckyll|website=www.bgc.bard.edu}}</ref> By 1858 he was working in Norwich and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects. Shortly thereafter he settled in London, his friend Frederick Sandys introducing him to the so-called Chelsea aesthetes, du Maurier, Swinburne, Rossetti, Burne-Jones, William Eden Nesfield, Edward William Godwin and Whistler, causing a change of direction in his artistic vision.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://colonelunthanksnorwich.com/tag/butterfly-signature/|title=Butterfly signature|first=Reggie|last=Unthank|website=COLONEL UNTHANK'S NORWICH}}</ref>
Jeckyll pioneered the use of Anglo-Japanese style furnishings. In 1859 he started associating with the Norwich ironworks firm of Barnard, Bishop & Barnards, a relationship which endured until 1881.
One of his first projects was the design of the Norwich Gates, which were displayed at the 1862 International Exhibition. These were then presented by the people of Norwich and Norfolk as a wedding present to the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, and may still be seen at the Sandringham Estate. Jeckyll produced an enormous number of designs for the front panels of Barnard's very popular range of slow combustion fireplaces. These featured a deep grate, and allowed air through the front rather than below, reducing the inflow of air and consequently burning more slowly. Jeckyll started decorating these with designs inspired by Japanese art in 1873.
In the 1870s he designed interiors for clients such as Alexander Constantine Ionides and the 'Peacock Room' for Frederick Richards Leyland. Jeckyll's behaviour had become quite erratic, and in his absence Whistler took over the decorating. Whistler painted over Jeckyll's leather-covered walls, shelving and sideboard. “While the result was undoubtedly splendid it effectively overwrote Jeckyll's contribution to art history.”<ref name="auto"/> Whistler described Jeckyll in 1877 as “one of my intimate comrades”.
His early death at fifty-four was brought about by a mental breakdown and severe depression. He became ill in 1877 and died in a Norwich asylum in 1881.
== Reception == An exhibition of his life's work was held by the Bard Graduate Center, New York in 2003. The exhibitoion was titled ''Thomas Jeckyll, Architect and Designer'', July 17 – October 19, 2003 <ref>{{Cite web |last=Weber Soros |first=Susan |title=Thomas Jeckyll Exhibition 2003 |url=https://www.bgc.bard.edu/exhibitions/exhibitions/44/thomas-jeckyll |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=Bard Graduate Centre}}</ref>
== List of Works == {{Incomplete list|date=December 2024}}
* Church of the Holy Trinity, Coltishall, Norfolk<ref>{{Cite web |title=CHURCH OF HOLY TRINITY, Coltishall - 1050886 {{!}} Historic England |url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1050886?section=official-list-entry |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=historicengland.org.uk |language=en}}</ref> * Elsing Hall, Elsing, Norfolk (Restoration, 1850s)<ref>{{Cite web |title=mnf3009 - Norfolk Heritage Explorer |url=https://www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk/record-details?mnf3009 |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk}}</ref> * St. Andrew's Church, Little Massingham, Norfolk<ref>{{Cite web |title=Norfolk Churches |url=http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/littlemassingham/littlemassingham.htm |access-date=2025-10-13 |website=www.norfolkchurches.co.uk}}</ref> * The Parish Church of St Peter Horningsea near Cambridge..(partial restoration 1865 - 66).<ref>The Parish Church of St Peter Horningsea. A Short History and Guide'. Available in the church book stall 2025</ref>
==External links== * [https://www.tafrc.co.uk/gallery/ Barnard Bishop and Barnard] * [https://colonelunthanksnorwich.com/tag/barnard-bishop-and-barnards/ History of Barnard Bishop and Barnard] * [https://za.pinterest.com/annemccreary/thomas-jeckyll/ Gallery] * [https://whatjennydidnext.wordpress.com/2016/03/20/the-jeckyll-aesthetic/ 'The Jeckyll Aesthetic']
{{Commons category}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jeckyll, Thomas}} Category:English architects Category:Fellows of the Royal Institute of British Architects Category:1827 births Category:1881 deaths