Furniture
Every piece of furniture has a practical purpose regardless of how simple or grand it is, even if some pieces were built more for display than function. Today, furniture remains one of the largest areas of the antiques market and items are categorised by type and period.
The term brown furniture refers to traditional pieces made from dark woods such as mahogany, while pieces made from native woods like oak and walnut are sometimes referred to as vernacular furniture.
Famous historical makers include Chippendale, Gillows, William Vile and John Cobb. More recent market trends have seen modern vintage pieces appearing in specialist design and ‘Interior’ auctions.
Pick of the week: Persian mirror emerges at Lincolnshire auction
26 June 2023A 14th or 15th century Persian mirror that emerged at auction in Lincolnshire took a five-figure sum.
Table captures Carlton House Terrace look
19 June 2023English architect and designer Owen Jones (1809-74) was no stranger to large decorative projects when he was hired to design the furniture and interiors for No 16 Carlton House Terrace in St James’s.
World-famous bottle and advertising fair returns to Elsecar
19 June 2023International stallholders are among those all set for a renowned bottle and advertising fair and auction
Davenport comes with a tuneful twist
12 June 2023A musical ‘captain’s desk’ davenport sold for £9500 at Tennants’ (22% buyer’s premium) Scientific and Musical Instruments sale in Leyburn on May 17.
Because folk art is worth it…
12 June 2023Dealer explains why he is holding a show instead of standing at a fair as he has done for about 40 years
5 Questions: furniture and art dealer Laurent-Alexis Guelfucci
12 June 2023Laurent-Alexis Guelfucci opened Guelfucci Gallery in 1998 and specialises in early 20th century furniture and art with a focus on Art Deco.
Classic Georgian tables that stood in Melbourne suburbs
05 June 2023Two examples of classic early Georgian mahogany proved to be in demand at Artvisory (26% buyer’s premium) of South Yarra, Victoria.
Silverware takes to the Los Angeles saleroom stage
05 June 2023Pictured here are examples of Georgian silverware coming up in two different auctions that are being staged in Los Angeles in June.
Furniture that created a ‘new language for woodworking’
29 May 2023Fresh-thinking range of furniture features in a four-day auction showcasing modern design styles
5 Questions with marine salvage specialist Mark Jameson of Trinity Marine
29 May 2023Mark Jameson owns Trinity Marine, a specialist in salvaging fittings and fixtures of ocean liners and warships.
Casts of garden urns designed for Versailles offered in Oxfordshire
22 May 2023In a style admired in the gardens at Versailles and at a House & Garden sale in Abingdon, a pair of urns after those created for Louis XIV’s great project led the field at Mallams (25% buyer’s premium).
Cumbrian house packed full of Mouseman
22 May 2023The 33 pieces of ‘Mouseman’ furniture on offer at Carlisle auction house Thomson Roddick (20% buyer’s premium) all came from a Cumbrian Georgian country house where they had been since at least before 1950.
5 Questions with Simon Clarke of Christopher Clarke Antiques
22 May 2023Simon Clarke runs Christopher Clarke Antiques with his brother Sean in Stow-on-the- Wold.
Ideal for impressing cool customers
22 May 2023This classy teak wine cooler exudes Mid-century style, all clean lines and simplicity.
Mineral cabinet chips in
15 May 2023This mahogany 12-drawer cabinet of minerals, rocks and fossils carries the printed trade label reading Arranged and Sold by J Tennant, Mineralogist by Appointment to Her Majesty, 149 Strand London.
Blanchard spread his wings to be the leading manufacturer of terracotta in Britain
15 May 2023This rare pair of late 19th century terracotta eagles, each standing 2ft 2in (64cm) high have indistinct marks for Blanchard Terracotta London.
Renowned candlestick back in the limelight at Stowmarket sale
08 May 2023Estimated at £15,000-20,000, this 8½in (22cm) Elizabeth I or James I pewter bell-based candlestick sold to a private UK collector bidding online for £25,000 (plus 25% buyer’s premium) as part of the Chapman collection at Bishop & Miller in Stowmarket on April 27.
Detective work sheds some light on a £75,000 chandelier
08 May 2023Investigation by saleroom specialist pays off as Castle Howard connection helps a chandelier to impress
Christie’s to offer second auction series of the Ann and Gordon Getty collection
05 May 2023A second tranche of the Ann and Gordon Getty collection is coming to Christie’s in June.
Art and antiques trade celebrates Charles III's coronation
03 May 2023The art and antiques trade are celebrating the coronation of Charles III and Camilla as King and Queen ahead of the big day at Westminster Abbey on May 6.
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