A wonderfully long, well faded French cherry-wood farmhouse table.

A wonderfully long, well faded French cherry-wood farmhouse table.

36th year in business and about the 6th farmhouse table I’ve stocked over 2.1m (Rare when original)

The deep three plank, cleated top, above a pleasantly plain narrow frieze, one end having a long drawer with original turned handle and warped central drawer divide.

Resting on square tapered legs.

H.76cm W.266cm D.84cm

Still to be re wax finished and disguise a few minor water marks.

Notice the natural flowing oxidisation under the top and skirts, all matching. Also the original hand crafted drawer runner and cross support. Simply beautiful!

Sometimes the back boards of a dresser base or chest of drawers or below the top of a farmhouse table grab my attention as much as the beautiful faded overall patina!

I remember facing an outstanding early 18th century English oak long dresser base to the front wall of my stand at the opening of a Sydney fair years ago. With spotlights on the back. As the back boards were simply outstanding ✨ Actually, I’m there right now. Like the first time you lay eyes on your beautiful partner, the amazing buzz I got! Well, not quite the same, but certainly amazing inner love for what I’m witnessing!

BTW, that dresser back boards visually affected a customer as I was expecting and sold in the first 30 minutes of opening! (I’ll go through my old photos once I close and do a story on antique fairs, displays, fun, joy, heartbreak and painful acquaintances… Should be interesting!)

Sometimes being a little out there can be a good thing ✨

The life of an aesthete…

19th century French oak Farmhouse table of small proportions.

19th century French oak Farmhouse table of small proportions.

The three plank top, above a plain frieze, resting on square tapered legs.

Note: Exceptional wild grain overall, with knots and fallen knots to the legs, a great talking point. (You won’t see this on a fancy 19th century French walnut, highly polished extension dining table) The raw beauty of French provincial pieces, same as unique English country furniture!

H.69cm W.138cm D.64cm

The smallest original French farmhouse table I’ve ever seen. Beautifully worn finish, showing the naturally oxidised oak grain.

18th Century English Furniture – A Subtle Statement of Style

18th Century English Furniture – A Subtle Statement of Style

When it comes to 18th century English furniture, style is an understatement. The lines are clean and elegant, with subtle flourishes that set each piece apart.Town and country pieces often shared the same basic design—but with one key difference: country furniture, especially in oak, truly shines. While inspired by the refined town originals, country pieces bear the unique signature of the individual cabinetmaker and the timbers available in his workshop at the time. No two country pieces are ever exactly alike. Unlike town furniture, where perfection to the original design was paramount, country pieces reflect personality, resourcefulness, and charm. In fact, I currently have two museum quality examples of 18th century English Cuban mahogany side tables in stock—stunning pieces just waiting to be placed somewhere significant.

You can find them on my website under: Furniture > English > Tables > Side Tables and Lowboys.

Mid 18th century English country oak low-boy.
The two plank, wide cleated, moulded top, above an ogee-shaped frieze, housing a narrow high drawer, flanked by two large thumb-moulded drawers.
Resting on turned tapered legs, terminating on a pad-foot.

Fantastic overall faded patina, awaiting a good re waxing.

C.1750

H.70cm W.76cm D.48cm

English Country Furniture 1500-1900

by David Knell

Is a great reference book showing many variations of English country furniture.

A Louis XV / XVI Walnut Bureau à Pènte

A Louis XV / XVI Walnut Bureau à Pènte

Selling for a customer.

Elegant small bureau with a well, pigeon holes and drawers.

Purchased 1990s from renowned dealer, remained in same family.

Beautifully faded patina.

France C.1780

Contact me for pricing.

Last quarter 18th century English country oak dresser base.

Last quarter 18th century English country oak dresser base.

The well patinated three plank moulded top, above three drawers, retaining the original brass fret shaped handles.

Notice the cock-beaded inside edge mouldings, giving the illusion of being on the drawers (mostly done on country pieces) above one narrow central panelled door, flanked by two matching wider doors.

Having double panelled sides, resting on square block legs.

C.1780

H.89cm W.151cm D.55cm

Last quarter 18th century English tea/card table.

Last quarter 18th century English tea/card table.

The single plank well faded hinged folding top, opening to a tea serving or card playing top.

Having a figured mahogany frieze with narrow card holding drawer, retaining the original brass swan-neck handle.

Resting on square tapered ogee-moulded legs. One hinged rear leg, supports top when in use.

Note: rarely are the opened tops as well faded as the closed. Indicates was very well used and loved.

C.1780 H.72cm W.91cm D.44.5cm, opened 89cm square.

Decorative 19th and 20th century English Spode plates in display.

 

First quarter 19th century French oak farmhouse table.

First quarter 19th century French oak farmhouse table.

The beautifully patinated, deep five plank top, with original bread-slide, above a narrow slight moulded skirt, resting on square tapered legs.

1800 – 1820

H.75cm W.2m D.90cm

Sold this table from my storeroom, was planning on taking to my apartment, but business is business!
So like much of my stock, didn’t make my showroom.

The set of six American oak windsor armchairs also sold, they suit so well and are very comfortable. I used one as my desk chair.

A particularly nice mid 19th century English mahogany side table.

A particularly nice mid 19th century English mahogany side table.

A particularly nice mid 19th century English mahogany side table.

The beautifully grained, Regency style, triple moulded rectangular top, above two deep drawers.

With Sheraton period brass oval handles, and geometric shaped ebony inlaid stringing.
Resting on shaped, turned tapered legs, on original castors.

C.1850

H. 71cm W. 79cm D. 43cm

English Masons, Japanese Imari and Chinese ceramics, always suit being displayed on suitably beautiful tables.

Rare 18th Century oak wine table – Isle of Man

Rare 18th Century oak wine table – Isle of Man

The well patinated circular top supported by a beautifully turned column, raised on three down swept cabriole legs terminating in boot feet.
The shaped legs resembling the Isle of Man flag.

The flag features three running legs bent at the knees conjoined at the centre.
Local residents of the Isle of Man explain that the legs turn anti-clockwise so that they don’t kneel to the English.
The use of the emblem on the flag in the Isle of Man dates back to the 13th Century.

H. 70 cm
Dia. 76cm

After much deliberation, I’ve decided to sell a few very special pieces I’ve had at home the past 20 or more years.

This magnificent wine table is one. I simply cannot house everything I’d like to.

A late 19th Century French flame mahogany card table - AA1936

A late 19th Century French flame mahogany card table – AA1936

A late 19th Century French flame mahogany card table.

The single flame moulded top, unfolding to a card playing table, having a decorative book-matched veneered frieze, on a well turned support column, resting on three outswept legs, with acanthus leaf carvings to the knees.

Note: Not my usual stock, you’ll notice the photograph. You’ll then notice this card table surrounded by entire family, from around 1900.

Fantastic to hang above to create a perfect conversation piece.

H.75 W.80 D.40 cm

A rare set of stylish European oak Queen Anne revival dining chairs.

A rare set of stylish European oak Queen Anne revival dining chairs.

The shaped/stepped top rail, on a vase shaped centre splat, flanked by narrow rectangular uprights. Having comfortable drop-in upholstered seats, resting on slightly shaped narrow cabriole-legs, terminating on a carved goats-foot. Joined by an H and rear stretchers.

1900 – 1920

H.110 W.44 D.48

 

Forever changing the surroundings in my apartment.

Forever changing the surroundings in my apartment.

Forever changing the surroundings in my apartment. The latest change, replacing the Italian Murano glass retro penguins, for the 19th century Chinese Bronze Foo Dog Lion Figures.
Interestingly, everyone I’ve asked prefers the Murano Penguins.

The final photo is from Russell Winnell, when he photographed my apartment a couple of years ago. I wrote a story for a magazine to accompany the photos, however I’ve made so many bold changes, I can’t give those photos to print, so must get Russell back!