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.
ATG letter: Furniture price squeeze has helped auction fees rise
18 June 2018MADAM – Like David Carter (ATG No 2345) I can remember the time when we auctioneers could make a living with only seller’s commission of 10%.
A box of export delights at Dawson's
18 June 2018Catalogued as Anglo-Indian but probably Indo-Portuguese, this ivory, tortoiseshell and white metal casket, below, was a box of delight for the vendor.
Charlotte Perriand's ‘Nuage’ bookcase performs at Paris auction
18 June 2018The post-war industrial modernist designs of Jean Prouvé and Charlotte Perriand remain firm sellers. Pieces from their best-documented commissions, like the furnishings created in the 1950s for the student residences of the Cité Universitaire in Paris, are particularly strong.
Post-War Design: spectacular result for Jean Royère’s biomorphic 'Flaque' table
18 June 2018In the immediate post-war era the work of the French designer-decorator Jean Royère (1902-81) took a turn to embrace a more organic or ‘biomorphic’ style.
Spotlight falls on Jacob Hermann as limited supply brings high prices for furniture designer's works
18 June 2018Most high-flying ‘design’ is made in multiples. These can be limited editions in short runs but, as some of the most iconic pieces have been produced in their millions, their commercial value is typically vested in early examples or prototypes.
Decorative arts – traditional sale format evolves to incorporate the fashionable masters of the post-war era
18 June 2018Post-war material is attracting growing interest across all sectors of the art market. A pioneer was the Design sale that championed the creations of designers and taste makers from the second half of the 20th century and beyond.
Paavo Tynell trips the light fantastic
18 June 2018The specialist Finnish lighting designer Paavo Tynell proved to be the strong suit in a 111-lot Scandinavian design sale held by Artcurial (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) in Paris.
Saleroom selection: early design highlights at auction from Lalique lights to Rembrandt Bugatti’s panther
15 June 2018Recent design sales have generated plenty of dramatic prices for post-war and modern classics, from the Lalannes and Jean Royère to Charlotte Perriand.
Cabinet is among highlights at Ader's Islamic and Indian art sale
11 June 2018This ivory-inlaid fall-fronted cabinet is one of the highlights in a sale of Islamic and Indian art at Drouot by Ader on June 29.
Happy birthday Thomas Chippendale as series of celebrations take place
05 June 2018The tercentenary of renowned furniture maker Thomas Chippendale’s birth in Yorkshire this week is the catalyst for activities and exhibitions this year across the UK.
Early-bird buyers boost Suffolk House
04 June 2018The response to Suffolk House Antiques’ summer exhibition has been enthusiastic, with customers snapping up some key pieces even before the show’s official opening.
Buyer sought to keep Salvador Dalí champagne lamps in the UK
02 June 2018Lamps designed by surrealist artist Salvador Dalí have been blocked from export in the hope a buyer can be found to pay £440,000 to keep them in the UK.
Christie’s sources masterworks for Chippendale tercentenary
28 May 2018A major test of the market for the best of British furniture will take place in London this summer when Christie’s stages a sale dedicated to Thomas Chippendale.
Story of French stove innovator and his burning ambition
28 May 2018From dealers Charlie Bates and Matthew Nellist of Jeffrey and Day comes a story about Jean-Baptiste Godin, a 19th century French industrialist and enlightened innovator.
Faringdon House fits the bill in London and Wiltshire
28 May 2018The best of the furniture from the contents of Faringdon House went to a Christie’s (25/20/12.5% buyer’s premium) Interiors sale, but perhaps the more interesting items from the 18th century Oxfordshire manor were handled by Wiltshire saleroom Kidson-Trigg (20% buyer’s premium).
Armchairs show Howard & Sons furniture holding up
28 May 2018Throughout the furniture depression, late Victorian and Edwardian chairs and sofas produced by the London firm of upholsterers Howard & Sons maintained their prices.
Final lots from renowned dealer up at auction
28 May 2018T Crowther & Sons was founded in 1880 in Fulham and was well established before the First World War. The company was split into two sections in the 1940s: Albert Crowther trading from Syon Lodge and T Crowther & Sons in Fulham.
Bang the drum for furniture
28 May 2018Once-fashionable drum tables took a big hit during the furniture slump and while the best can do well, others can be picked up cheaply.
Chippendale 300 – Events list
24 May 2018The tercentenary of Chippendale’s birth is the catalyst for the 'Chippendale 300' initiative – a programme of non-selling exhibitions and events held across a range of historic houses, museums and craft organisations.
A selection of furniture on offer across summer 2018
24 May 2018ATG's selection of furniture offered in London this summer.
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