Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Craft, William H.
CRAFT, WILLIAM H. (d. 1805?), enamel-painter, a prolific artist, was employed at the Battersea enamel works. He was probably a relation, perhaps a son, of Thomas Craft, who was employed at the porcelain works at Bow, and executed the bowl now in the British Museum, to which he affixed an account of its production, rendering it one of the few pieces of Bow china that have been authenticated. William Craft exhibited numerous enamels at the Royal Academy in the years 1774–1795. They were mostly decorative subjects, but there were some portraits, including one of Major André. Enamels by him on copper signed ‘W. H. Craft’ are sometimes met with, but are not common. Lady Charlotte Schreiber notes some vases dated 1787–8, and snuff-boxes with heads of Nelson and others; also a memorial piece of Britannia between Howe, Nelson, Duncan, and St. Vincent. In 1862, at the Archæological Institute, an enamel on gold by Craft was exhibited by Mr. J. P. Fischer, and a large enamel on copper, representing a rural scene, by Mr. Wilson; the latter is now in the possession of Mr. Octavius Morgan, F.S.A. A portrait of Sir William Hamilton, dated 1802, is in the possession of Mr. A. W. Franks, F.S.A.; it is hard, but clever in execution. Earl Spencer has a miniature of Lavinia, countess Spencer, after Reynolds, signed and dated 1787, which was exhibited at the Exhibition of Miniatures in 1865. Craft is stated to have died in 1805.
[Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Graves's Dict. of Artists, 1760–1880; Chaffers's Marks and Monograms on China; Journal of the Archæological Institute, 1862; Catalogue of the Special Exhibition of Miniatures, 1865; Royal Academy Catalogues; private information.]