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An early 19th Century English Oak Trestle

An early 19th Century English Oak Trestle having a thick warped single plank seat

resting on rectangular corner – chambered legs, joined by a pegged ‘H’ stretcher.

C.1800

H.63cm

W.170cm

D.40cm

Easy Dining Room Upgrade – Remarkable Improvement!

Shaun Rodwell helped me deliver this farmhouse table yesterday afternoon. Looked fantastic!

Last photo was the one we replaced. Huge improvement and very happy customer…

You’ll also notice a delightful Norfolk Chest, I sold to her a few years ago.

Still shining proud in the living room. (AA1818)

The well patinated three plank cleated top above a slight end moulded plain frieze,

housing a long drawer to each end, resting on square tapered legs.‘Perfect as a home desk’

This table’s been my shop desk for some time…

Masons on Oak, Elm, Chestnut, Walnut, Fruitwoods & Country Furniture

When dressing the 16th – 19th century English and European Oak,

the first thing I think of is Masons Ironstone. They blend so well together.

A lot blends with Country furniture, Japanese Imari, English or French Green Majolica,

Pewter, Stoneware, Parian Ware, Antique and Contemporary Glass, Modern Ceramics,

Australian Pottery, Treen etc.

But, as I said, Masons are like wearing classic fashion items, they always look right.

Like the Little Black Dress, Cashmere Jumper or Black Blazer,

Single Breasted tailored Suit.

Timeless.

1686 – 1986

Notice how even a retro made semi Chippendale style dining chair can match so well with a striking piece of art 300 years older.

Contemporary framing can completely change the look of a copper engraving, painting, lithograph, even old photos. It’s not hard.

These chairs were unattractive, dark and had shocking patterned upholstery.

Once again, it’s not too hard to improve a chair.

I have these in a window display this week.

Quite eye catching, along with the descriptions of both.

As always it’s important to create interesting window displays

Saturday afternoons in the shop

Such a busy day, as Saturdays usually are.

Phoenix Smith helped me rearrange the showroom today,
between serving customers and debating what’s going where…

We have so much fun most Saturdays. Some people shine.

The art still requires some rearranging, distancing etc…

I’d only just rearranged the centre, when a decorator friend
popped in and purchased the fantastic 18th century English oak cricket table
(No photo)

Interior designers count for about 1/4 of my sales.

Thanks Alex  x

A little rearranging in rear room of shop

Rearranging my showroom is always a pleasurable experience. Bringing new pieces of stock into the mix, moving something, replacing a mirror with art, changing the ceramics etc…

Period oak furniture, English country furniture, 16th Century English oak coffer, French provincial furniture, 19th Century Chinese screen, Armoire, Coffee table, Early 18th Century English oak dresser base,Pewter, Green majolica, Italian majolica, 18th Century corner cabinet, Masons, Country oak wine tables x 7, Dough bin, Petrin, Elizabeth Blackwell, Martin Tighe, Windsor armchair, Ceramic jugs, 19th Century landscapes, 19th Century french gilt mirror and more in the back room of shop…

Jim and Judiths French Marble Statue

Recently when returning a wine table I had restored for a couple, I noticed a beautiful 19th century French marble female statue.
Jim’s 88, he told me this was his first purchase aged 12. Jim’s equally wonderful wife Judith is 80.
Every time I visit them I learn more fascinating stories of their lives together, true romantics indeed.
Gives me a lot of hope, that’s for sure.

They have a fantastic collection of 18th-19th century furniture, art and ceramics.

Jim then showed me Norman Lindsay and Streeton watercolours he had purchased before they were famous.
It’s always nice going to customers homes that have a good eye for art and furniture.
I’ve sold them several pieces, including this 18th century English figured walnut writing bureau and 18th century English country oak chest of drawers.

My son Charlie and his girlfriend Victoria helped me deliver recently, I wanted them to see true romance still alive after around 60 years of marriage.

Such a wonderful business to be in. So many beautiful, fascinating people I meet daily…

An attractive Set of Six 20th Century Australian Ash Chippendale Style Dining Chairs, now white.

The shaped top rail, above a fret carved tapered centre splat, flanked by shaped tapered uprights.
The freshly upholstered soft mint chenille seats blending beautifully.
Resting on a square leg, joined by stretchers.
This set of chairs were very tired, so we cleaned back the surface and refinished them in a soft white.
Would never dream of doing this to a period chair, however this method of restoration has vastly improved these.
These chairs would look fantastic with a period french fruitwood farmhouse table.
The last set I sold through a decorator in 2009.
These chairs also featured in a home I dressed in Elwood 2009.
To see the story of the Elwood home, search ‘Elwood’ on this website.
Above is a one off set of 19th Regency period watercolours of Indian birds, in Kamataka, Southwest India.

Dated 1828

Also, my favourite 17th Century botanical engraver, Hendrick Draakestein 1686.

‘Snapshots of Elegance’

From time to time I’ll continue showing beautiful parts of beautiful pieces inside my showroom or home…

This afternoon my shop.

Stylish shapes and angles of the decorative arts & furniture said, here I am, show my beauty…

“Snapshots of the elegance of design”

This is what I will miss once I make my final sale of my final piece of stock in the next year or two…
A slow retirement is certainly the way I’ll remove myself from the antiques & art trade…

No hurry from me, suits my obvious ‘working in country time’ style of doing things.

I hope you enjoy the beauty as I do…

Today’s photos are from my showroom.

A Terns head and tip to a wave, from beautiful Art Deco Bronze.
‘Constantinople’ showing on a perfectly maintained Art Nouveau Terrestrial Globe. Now Istanbul, changed 1930.
Lower right corner of a decorative English Art Deco chinoiserie design mantle clock.
The tip of one of a pair of 19th century tusks. They originally belonged to a gong that was dismantled.
The shaped coloured and clear glass lower point, from a mid century Italian Murano chandelier.
Central carvings on a 19th century French, fruitwood, burr elm & oak dough bin.
The corner of a decorative 19th century Japanese scalloped edge charger.
The moving mouth and teeth of a mid century Hanging Face ‘Ivory Coast’
The cheeky smiling faded rosewood face of a 19th century Chinese door gong.
The silver face on handle of a 19th century Persian jug.

Clearance Sale of over 30 years in business

Stock in showrooms, in storage and from our recently sold family home are now to clear.
Always best to make an appointment, but I’m usually in 11.30am til 4.30pm Mon – Sat.
Window signs supplied by Luke Signs, fantastic service as always, thanks Luke.

Draakestein Collection – Hortus Indicus Malabaricus 1686

Hortus Indicus Malabaricus by Hendrik Draakestein 1686.

The first complete flora from the East Indies. A very fine example of copper engraving.

My favourite botanical master of the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.
1686 ‘Hortus Indicus’ was published in Amsterdam.

 

RESTORATION – Not for sale.

We just finished restoring this fantastic set of 19th century English Country Regency dining chairs.

A customer purchased them not realising that many users ago, someone had drilled holes through every leg and seat rail, tying a coat hanger style metal brace.
Once removed, not easily, they were a complete mess!
Eddie took each chair apart and rebuilt them. We cleaned back, filled the holes, disguised the repairs and refinished them.
Cut back and waxed today and ready to deliver.
I thought I’d share the process with you.

Note: still to be reupholstered.