The Medici Society Ltd was founded in 1908 by Philip Lee Warner and Eustace Gurney. The company’s original aim was to bring artists’ work to the appreciation of a wider public through technically cutting edge high-end colour reproductions, with subjects chosen for their artistic value, beauty or sentiment sold “for the lowest price commercially possible”.

The name Medici was chosen as a homage to the great Florentine family who did so much to encourage art in the Italian Renaissance. The profile of Lorenzo de’ Medici (1449 – 1492), known as Lorenzo the Magnificent, was incorporated into the trade mark.

Initially, the business was run as a society, and members were invited to join and pay a subscription which entitled them to copies of prints as they were published at no extra charge. This structure was later revised and the prints were sold commercially through shops and galleries.

The Rowley Gallery was established in 1898 at 6 High Road, Silver Street, Kensington, (later renamed and renumbered to become 140 Church Street where the shop remains today).

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s The Rowley Gallery became renowned for its inlay wood panels, mirrors and screens as well as for its silver leaf furniture and interiors.

Several well known artists are recorded as having their work framed by The Rowley Gallery.  Amongst those in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery are paintings by Harold Speed, Edward Wadsworth and Gluck (Hannah Gluckstein).   By 1933 such was the success of the business that the premises at 140-142 Church Street were rebuilt in Portland stone  featuring a frieze designed by Brangwyn of three life size carved wooden panels depicting sawyers painters  and carpenters.