George Hart & Sons
Other names: George Hart (c.1901-14)
Active: 1901 - 1932
Function: Stonemasons, sculptors
History or description: A successful family firm of stonemasons and sculptors active over two generations. The firm was started by George Hart (1852-1920) who moved to London before 1881. Around 1900 he established his own business at Star Road in Fulham and four of his sons worked for the firm at different times. These were: George (born c.1885), William (born c.1889), (Herbert) Barry (1894-1954); and John (born c.1896). Herbert Barry was also a sculptor, teacher and a friend of Henry Moore. In 1933 the firm relocated around the corner to Fane Road and was renamed Hart Bros Sculptors.
Among the commissions linked to G. Hart & Sons, was acting as a principal contractor to Adelaide House, London Bridge Approach, (1921-25). The building was designed by the architects, Sir John Burnet and Thomas Tait. The building is embellished by five blocks carved with coats of arms and an allegorical female figure holding a globe by William Reid Dick. It is not yet known whether Hart & Son carved all of the sculpture or only the coats of arms.
Includes private information from Hart's family. In formation about Adelaide House is partly drawn from Ward-Jackson (2003, pp. 229-30) and also from details submitted by Jean Ansell author of a biography of 'Richard Tilden Smith', who built Adelaide House.
Institutional and Business Connections
Forerunner of Hart Bros Sculptors
1933
George Hart & Sons became Hart Bros in 1933
Associated People
Collaborated with William Reid Dick
1921 (Circa) - 1925
G. Hart & Sons were a main contractor for Adelaide House and may have assisted in the carving of the allegorical figure designed by Reid Dick.
Trade name of (Herbert) Barry Hart
Trade name of George Hart
1901 (Circa) - 1920
The firm was originally called George Hart
Descriptions of Business or Institution
Listed under Stone Masons Post Office London Directory, 1901 Post Office/Kelly London Directories
Listed under Stone Masons Post Office London Directory, 1914 Post Office/Kelly London Directories
Sources
British Phone Books, 1885-1984
2007
Name: G. Hart & Sons
Exchange: FULham 2357
Directory Title: London Surnames A - Z Sep
Publication Year: 1925
Directory County: London
Page Number: 520
AND
Name: G. Hart & Sons
Exchange: FULham 2357
Directory Title: London Surnames A - Z Sep
Publication Year: 1932
Directory County: London
Page Number: 697
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1901
2005
RG13 piece 62 folio 91 page 35
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911
2011
RG14PN316 RG78PN10 RD3 SD4 ED13 SN270
Post Office London Directory, 1901 Post Office/Kelly London Directories
1901
p. 2429
Post Office London Directory, 1914 Post Office/Kelly London Directories
1914
p. 1949
Public Sculpture of the City of London Public Sculpture of Britain Volume Five
2003
pp. 229-30
Citing this record
'George Hart & Sons', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011 [http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/organization.php?id=ann_1299675512, accessed 27 Sep 2023]
