The late Miles Ferneyhough.
Originally from Henley-in-Arden, he began his career working in the family business, starting in the workshops and subsequently learning to buy and sell with his father.
He studied gemmology and was extremely knowledgeable in this area.
I first met Miles in the early 1990s when he opened Hawksmoor in West Halkin Street, Belgravia. Situated in the hub of the most prestigious London antique shops, it was crammed full of the finest furniture, paintings and objects. He has continually exhibited at the important London fairs.
Antiques and dealing were in his DNA. Last year, although undergoing debilitating treatment, he and his friend John Murphy opened a gallery in West Kirby called Murphy & Miles. Dealing gave him great joy and purpose during this difficult time.
We had many memorable buying trips together. The highlight for me being our trip to the US hunting for English treasures. Our greatest success was in San Francisco where we spied a beautiful Chippendale urn table, tucked in a corner, that just had to come home!
We initially bonded over our mutual obsession of anything antique. We spent a lovely weekend just a week before he died, reminiscing over the minute details of the many beautiful items we have seen and owned over the years.
He will be sorely missed and remembered by many for not just his professionalism and magnificent breadth of knowledge but for his smart, colourful attire and old fashioned courteous manner.
Miles leaves three sons James, Howard and Oscar and his partner Kate. Donations can be made in Miles’s memory to Wirral Hospice St John’s.
Mark Hornby-Patterson,
Droxford Antiques
