About Us

The History of Thornhill Galleries

Specialising in antique and prestigious fireplaces, Thornhill Galleries holds one of the largest collections of superb quality marble, wood and stone period fireplaces in England. Through our extensive network of suppliers in England, France and Italy, we regularly source some of the best fireplace mantels and our collection of several hundred pieces includes a rare example of an original Coadestone fireplace, a very important French Empire Siena marble fireplace, and early George II Statuary marble fireplace in the manner of William Kent. We have also made bespoke fireplaces to suit the exact requirements of the individual, fusing our considerable knowledge and experience of the several thousand mantelpieces that we have held over the years, with the ability of the finest craftsmen and materials, to produce results of the highest quality. We also stock an extensive selection of fireplace accessories, including firegrates and baskets, firedogs and andirons, register grates, fire tools, firescreens, fenders, and cast iron firebacks to compliment any fireplace. We regularly work with interior designers, architects and private clients in the UK and throughout the world, supplying some of the most prestigious fireplaces to the most discerning clients.

The family business was founded in 1880 by Samuel Dockerill and retained the name of A & R Dockerill Ltd until 1958 when Samuel's maternal grandson, Richard Wakefield took over the company, and the present title of Thornhill Galleries was adopted. Thornhill was an obvious choice for the name as it was the name of the house that the family have lived and worked in for over 100 years. The house was initially built as the Old Manor House in East Hill, Wandsworth in 1670 as part of a larger royal residence and given by Charles II to his niece, the future Queen Anne, when she was aged five, and it was here that Anne spent her quiet childhood. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, the house had a carved staircase by master woodcarver Grinling Gibbons, murals painted by Sir James Thornhill, a fashionable artist after whom the house and company now take its name.

It was when Samuel Dockerill, who had been advised by his doctor to move out of smoky Kensington for the sake of his asthmatic children, and decided that the fields on the river in Putney were ideal for a new family home, discovered the Old Manor House was being pulled down to make way for new development, that it found its new location. Dockerill recognised the quality of the old house's panelling, doors and interiors, and he bought the lot at auction on February 12, 1891, at a far cheaper price than he could have bought new materials. He then moved the house virtually brick by brick from its original site to Deodar Road in Putney.

Dockerill transported most of the house by barge to its new location, where he built himself a truncated version of the original manor and also chose this new location to base the architectural antique business. He named it Thornhill House in honour of the artist, whose panels still adorn the inside to this day. Sir James Thornhill was an English painter of historical subjects, in the Italian baroque tradition. As well as decorating the interior of the dome at St Paul's Cathedral and the royal apartments at Hampton Court, he also painted the great hall at Blenheim Palace in 1716 depicting the Duke of Marlborough's victory at the Battle of Blenheim during the War of the Spanish Succession. In June 1718 George I made him court painter, and in March 1720 Serjeant Painter. In the same year, he was master of the Painters' Company and in 1723 fellow of the Royal Society. From 1722 to 1734 he was also member of Parliament. On 2 May 1720, the king knighted him.


The company has been passed down through the family, and is now owned and run by Samuel Dockerill's great grandson Graham Wakefield; together with his sons Anthony and Richard, the fifth generation of the same family to work in the business. It continues to offer a close, personal attention to their clients' requirements, and keeps a balance between its traditional heritage and the professionalism and innovation expected from a modern business.