Elizabeth Blackwell (nee Blachrie) was among the first women to achieve fame as a botanical illustrator.
She was born in Aberdeen in about 1700, but moved to London after she married. She undertook an ambitious project to raise money to pay her husband’s debts and release him from debtors’ prison.
Her project was a book called ‘A Curious Herbal’. She learned that physicians required a reference book which documented the medicinal qualities of plants and herbs.
In order to develop the publication she examined and drew specimens of plants available in the Chelsea Physic Garden. Sir Hans Sloane provided financial support to publish ‘A Curious Herbal’.
Elizabeth Blackwell is notable for being one of the first botanical artists to personally etch and engrave her own designs. This saved the expense of hiring a professional engraver.
In total, the enterprise took Blackwell six full years to complete and in the end she was able to release her husband from prison. ‘A Curious Herbal’ was published between 1737 and 1739.
The book contained the first illustrations of many odd-looking, unknown plants from the New World.
The tick two plank top having several knots and a matched sap wood join between planks above a plain fieze with a single moulded drawer to the front retaining the original lock and escutcheon. Resting on square tapered legs.
19th Century French Walnut Barley twist Side Table The large single plank quarter sawn walnut top having a zebra grained effect, above a plain frieze, resting on an unusual labyrinth of barley twist legs and angled stretchers.
William and Mary influence in the styling of the base. Early 18th Century style revived in the second half of the 19th Century.
Just arrived from France today. Still in need of a good clean up and re-wax finishing.
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.
The shaped top rail, having a knot to the centre right, flanked by strong ears,having tapered upright supports framing the well carved vertical centre splat.
The upholstered drop-in seat, inside slight mounlded plain rails, resting on square-block legs, joined by rectangular stretchers.
Perfect overall well faded to a walnut tone patination.
Re selling on consignment. Sold these to Dorothy many years ago. Enjoying having them again and to sell for her now.
A rare pair of Robert “Mouseman” Thompson English oak Arts and Crafts side chairs.
The pollard oak panelled backs above original well patinated leather seats resting on octagonal tapered front legs. Both with the original hard carved mouse.
Robert “Mouseman” Thompson 1876-1955 Kilburn, Yorkshire was a prolific maker of the 1930’s producing traditional handcrafted English oak furniture. He used a mouse as his signature and trademark, hence the nickname.
George III English Faded Cuban Mahogany Wine Table
The circular single plank tilt-top having beautiful overall aged and faded patina (Resembling walnut) Resting on a well turned column support, joined to three out-swept cabriole legs, terminating on a pointed pad foot. Stunning!
Late 18th Century French Walnut Louis XVIII Period Side Table
The well patinated rectangular central panelled cleated, moulded top, above an ogee shaped groove-moulded frieze, housing a rectangular drawer, retaining the original turned handles.
The moulded frieze, flowing though to the long slight cabriole legs, terminating to a scroll at the foot.
A rare find indeed, another recent private purchase.
18th Century English country oak chest of unusually small proportions.
The well patinated moulded top, above two short and three long graduated cock-beaded drawers, all retaining the original brass swan-neck handles and escutcheons. Resting on low shaped bracket feet.
