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.

Antique ceiling lights

Lights from Titanic sister-ship RMS Olympic fly over estimate at Newcastle auction

08 August 2024

Eight original light fittings from the RMS Olympic which were discovered in Durham attracted strong interest at a recent Anderson & Garland auction.

2014 March Mondiran Windows Shop Front

King's Road dealer Guinevere Antiques to close after 61 years

06 August 2024

Frequented by A-list stars, home builders and collectors, Guinevere Antiques pioneered trends and enchanted the public with dramatic window displays

Robert Osmond, Clock With Rotating Dials, Circa 1770, Galerie Léage (1)

Paris gallery makes first showing at Frieze Masters

02 August 2024

Alongside 130 galleries from all over the world, Galerie Léage are making their debut at Frieze Masters.

Nick Jones

Five Questions with Church Street dealer Nick Jones

31 July 2024

Nick Jones has been a dealer for over 30 years. His shop at 34 Church Street in north London is a magnet for stylists, interior designers and celebrities.

2654 AR Wotton Toucan Ashtray 1

Art Deco ashtray makes over 10 times estimate at Gloucestershire auction

29 July 2024

A whimsical Art Deco ‘YZ’ cherry amber faturan nut bird ashtray, manufactured by Henry Howell & Co and retailed by Dunhill, drew eyecatching competition at a recent Gloucestershire sale.

Interior scene

Works from Mayfair home of Maleki family head to Dreweatts

25 July 2024

Auction house Dreweatts has secured a consignment of works from the Mayfair home of Eskandar and Fatima Maleki. It will offer the collection in a dedicated sale on September 25.

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Screens scream out quality

22 July 2024

These two very different screens were among the notable results recorded in the Asian sales at Drouot.

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A fitting testament to dealer Tobias Jellinek

22 July 2024

The much-anticipated auction of the personal collection of Tobias Jellinek (1934-2023) was held on the afternoon of June 19 at Bishop & Miller (25% buyer’s premium) in East Anglia.

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Bed comes to rest as buyer in Sweden secures oak furniture in Stowmarket sale

22 July 2024

The survival rate for 16th century and earlier furniture is much lower than that of 17th century examples.

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Oak & Folk: Survival instinct for a market focused on quality

22 July 2024

Despite being buffeted by the winds of fashion, period oak furniture still holds considerable appeal for homeowners thanks to innate appeal and timeless quality, as recent auction results indicate

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Vernacular furniture on the rise thanks to 'quirky and charming' appeal

22 July 2024

Furniture and objects associated with a rustic or farmhouse aesthetic have gained popularity in recent decades.

Graham Smith

'We live in different times': Graham Smith retires after 50 years in antiques

18 July 2024

Graham Smith Antiques, located on the outskirts of Newcastle is currently hosting a closing down sale as its owner is retiring.

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Georgian mahogany furniture features among four lots to watch this week

15 July 2024

With estimates from £5000, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week

Sundial designed by Archibald Knox

Rare Liberty & Co terracotta sundial by Archibald Knox emerges in South London

13 July 2024

One of the most watched lots currently on the-saleroom.com is a rare Liberty & Co terracotta Floralis pattern sundial designed by the legendary Archibald Knox in c.1905.

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A family provenance to chew on: collection bought with proceeds of a biscuit empire

01 July 2024

Two days needed to disperse items collected over generations thanks to biscuit production success

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Five questions with Streett Marburg

01 July 2024

Streett Marburg has specialised in 18th century furniture for many years. His partner Charlotte Casadéjus is known for conservation work in antique textiles and her French embroidery and linen expertise has led to the creation of bespoke cushions and bolsters. In 2019, Streett and Charlotte opened their first shop in Lillie Road in west London.

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Robert Young summer show: Simply

24 June 2024

A very early 18th century Scandinavian rune stick offered for £5500 is one of the highlights of the Robert Young Antiques summer show.

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Sword ‘linked to the Lion of the Punjab’ takes a £44,000 slice of the action in huge four-day sale

24 June 2024

A number of strong performers stood out in a variety of individual pieces offered in Bamfords’ (24.75% buyer’s premium) large four-day auction

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Five Questions: David Harvey

24 June 2024

David Harvey, one of the exhibitors at Classic Antiques Fair at the NEC, specialises in furniture dating from the reigns of Charles II through to George IV. WR Harvey & Co (Antiques) was established in Chalk Farm by his father in 1951. In 1996, the showrooms moved to the Cotswolds, where they remain to this day.

fairground carousel pig

Stay Young this summer

18 June 2024

Robert Young Antiques launches summer show in Battersea.

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