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.
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.
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.
I sold these to good customers twenty years ago.
They are now moving and need to sell.
I’m always happy to re sell rare items I’ve handled over the past three decades, as they’re so hard to find.
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.
Lana Samuels & Marty Fox did a fantastic job. Also due to photographers not permitted to do their work, my great friend and exceptional photographer Russell Winnell supplied photographs he had previously taken for me.
Aprox ten days on the market and SOLD!
Professional service to ourselves and the purchasers closed the deal!
Sadly the buyers already have a lot of their own pieces so won’t purchase the furniture, art and lighting, that ever so graciously dressed our home over the past 20 years.
As my showroom and store rooms packed, I’ve decided to sell mostly online. Between Instagram & my website allpressinc.
I’ll post many special pieces over the next few days.
By Jan Kip and Leonard Knyff
1720
57 x 70cm
Johannes “Jan” Kip Amsterdam 1652 – 1722
Jan Kip was a Dutch draftsman, engraver and print dealer.
Kip and Leonard Knyff, made a speciality of engraved aerial views of English country houses and estates.
Personally, I find his work astounding and so ahead of his time.
Kip remains my favourite of all architectural artists.
*Maison du Seigneur
*Burlington House Pickadilly
Kip was a pupil of Bastiaen Stopendaal (1636–1707), from 1668 to 1670, before setting up on his own; his earliest dated engravings are from 1672. In April 1680, at the age of 27, he married Elisabeth Breda in Amsterdam.[1] After producing works for the court of William of Orange in Amsterdam, Kip followed William and Mary to London and settled in St. John Street in Farringdon, where he conducted a thriving printselling business. He also worked for various London publishers producing engravings after such artists as Francis Barlow (c. 1626–1704) and Caius Gabriel Cibber (1630–1700), largely for book illustrations. He made several engraved plates for Awnsham & John Churchill’s A Collection of Voyages & Travels (first published 1704). He signed the African scenes in volume V of the 1732 edition as “J. Kip”.
His most important works were the large fold-out folio illustrations for Britannia Illustrata, 1708; for the 65 folio plates he engraved for the antiquary Sir Robert Atkyns, The Ancient and Present State of Glostershire, 1712 (1st edition); and for Le Nouveau Théâtre de la Grande Bretagne ou description exacte des palais de la Reine, et des Maisons les plus considerables des des Seigneurs & des Gentilshommes de la Grande Bretagne, 1715, an extended reprint in collaboration with other artists.
A fine and rare mid 18th Century Chinese Spinach green Jade Carved marriage bowl in quatrilobe form.
The everted rim, above low relief carving to the exterior of peony flowers with chrysanthemum carved handles, the leaves resting on the bowl, their bodies suspending loose ring handles.
Qianlong period 1736 – 1795
Remarkable workmanship. Perfect original condition.
Mixing antiques from different parts of the world can work very well. Not all styles mix well, but 18th and 19th century English and French furniture mixed very well.
Six from a harlequin set of eight, last quarter 18th century English elm country Hepplewhite dining chairs, with a handsome first quarter 19th century French figured elm, two plank farmhouse table.
Absolutely beautiful. Classic lines with unequalled style, well that’s my opinion.
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.
To me, he was the master. Posted are several of his more attractive florals.
My showroom always boasts at least six Draakestein’s.
Also, in my apartment I have one, but once completed hanging, I’m sure I’ll place at least one more.
On top of his distinctive style, he wrote the name of each subject to the top right of each page in, Latin, Malaysian, Indian and Arabic.
Truly fascinating.
These natural shapes and colours blend with period furniture so well, whereas bright loud flowers can take the attention away from the piece or entire display.
Well, that’s how I see the scheme of things…
These are ‘Buddha’s Hand’
From East Asia.
They sit so well on 18th-19th century English pewter chargers and compliment my beautiful 18th century English country oak chest of drawers.
As well as the Mid 17th century hand coloured copper engraving ’pseudo struthium’ by Basil Besler 1640 (above).
Loving my time spent creating displays in my showroom.
18th Century English country oak and walnut X-banded chest of drawers AA2128
The rectangular walnut x-banded oak top, above two short, then three long walnut x-banded, cock-beaded drawers, having brass stuart-drop handles.
