C. L. Dobbie and Son

C. L. DOBBIE & SON, Ship, Ornamental, and Architectural Carvers and Gilders, 386, Paisley Road, S.S., Glasgow.

    Foremost amongst the industrial arts which have contributed to the commercial progress of this great northern centre, and which have been prominently associated with its material prosperity, must be mentioned the various branches of ship, ornamental, and architectural carving and gilding as represented by the eminent firm of Messrs. C. L. Dobbie and Son, whose widely-known establishment, 386, Paisley Road, S.S., Glasgow, supplies the subject of this review.

    The business is of very old standing, having been founded in Fox Street upwards of 60 years ago by Mr. Thomas Kay, who subsequently removed to Maxwell Street, and was, some years afterwards, succeeded by his foreman, the late Mr. William Shanks, the latter gentleman’s interest reverting, many years ago, to the present proprietors. The premises occupied by Messrs. Dobbie are of extensive proportions, and comprise spacious ground floor workshops, conveniently arranged, presenting every facility for the economical and effective working of the various departments of the business.

    The services of a large staff of skilled designers and workmen are here engaged in the operative processes of carving and gilding every description of ship, ornamental, and architectural work, of which the leading specialite is the execution of carved Figure Heads and other designs for the ornamentation of ships, yachts, and other sea-going craft. It is worthy of note, in connection with this department of the firm’s operations, that these gentlemen were honoured with the order for the execution of much of the carving and gilded work used in the construction of that triumph of the ship-builders’ art, the luxurious steam yacht the “Livadia”, which was built, at an almost fabulous cost, at the order of the late Czar of Russia, by Messrs. John Elder and Co., and which for the artistic splendour of its internal fittings has had no parallel in the history of marine architecture.  Equal activity is observable in the other departments of the business, such as in Figure Heads, of which many fine examples are turned out ; and especially in model carving for ship models, now such a feature in our various Exhibitions ; also in patterns for casting.

    The business of Messrs. Dobbie and Son is managed under their personal supervision, and includes the most notable shipbuilders, architects, and iron-founders in and around the district, and their high reputation has been gained by the exercise of the greatest artistic skill in the execution of all orders entrusted to them for completion, and by the energy and ability they have consistently manifested in the successful development of this important and prosperous industrial undertaking.

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