Furniture

Every piece of furniture has a practical purpose regardless of how simple or grand it is, even if some pieces were built more for display than function. Today, furniture remains one of the largest areas of the antiques market and items are categorised by type and period.

The term brown furniture refers to traditional pieces made from dark woods such as mahogany, while pieces made from native woods like oak and walnut are sometimes referred to as vernacular furniture.

Famous historical makers include Chippendale, Gillows, William Vile and John Cobb. More recent market trends have seen modern vintage pieces appearing in specialist design and ‘Interior’ auctions.

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Ann and Gordon Getty lots: all gone, including the kitchen sink

01 April 2024

Doulton washroom elements provide surprise as final items from extensive collection come to auction

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Previews: issue 2637

01 April 2024

Our selection of lots from 13 upcoming auctions.

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Candlesticks brighten sale day in Suffolk

01 April 2024

The latest edition of The Oak Interior auction held by Bishop & Miller (25% buyer’s premium) in Stowmarket on February 28-29 majored heavily on metalwork.

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Mouseman wedding gift shows the attraction of early pieces

25 March 2024

Two sales of the classic furniture include items featuring direct family history

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Furniture restoration: The hidden workshop aiming to restore confidence

25 March 2024

A challenging middle market and soaring property prices have driven most restorers out of central London but a workshop still remains hidden away in Mayfair

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A product of his time but Bugatti’s fantasies were all his own

25 March 2024

In 1902, while visiting stands at the Esposizione Internationale d’Arte Decorativa Moderna in Turin, the Queen of Italy congratulated Carlo Bugatti on his ‘Moresque’ style of furniture. He reportedly replied, “You are mistaken, majesty, this style is mine!”

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High society couple made elegant choices in their life as collectors

25 March 2024

Raymond and Suzanne Fischoff-La Foux were a Parisian society couple.

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University of Leeds to hold conference on the history of furniture

19 March 2024

Organisers behind the planned 'What is Furniture History?’ conference are calling on the antiques sector to contribute papers or presentations on this theme.

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Marathon Withers collection sale brings £1.28m rewards

18 March 2024

“He stored everything like Russian dolls, everything packed away into something else."

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Burr wood furniture is back in the groove

18 March 2024

According to a recent Financial Times article, “burr wood furniture has its groove back”. Burr wood furniture has hardly been out of fashion – used in 16th century onwards in fine furniture it had a resurgence at least twice in the 20th century. But dealers note it is having its time in the sun again.

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Smaller lamps making a bigger impact

18 March 2024

Are you a ‘big light’ fan or foe? According to various social media posts and newspaper articles last year, there is a move away from the ‘big light’ (in part due to Tik Tok influencers decreeing so) to lamps.

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Bamboo coat stand to hook a buyer

18 March 2024

In the latter half of the 19th century and the first decades of the 20th century, there were over 250 companies in Great Britain producing bamboo furniture.

Jelly moulds in a dresser

Trend setters: Are interior design influencers all hype or helping the market?

18 March 2024

Are influencers driving this market or is it just hype? We talk to dealers to find out what is really in demand and why.

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Chareau furniture sells well at auction

11 March 2024

A fresh-to-the-market ensemble of rosewood furniture by French designer and architect Pierre Chareau (1883- 1950) met with great enthusiasm when it went under the hammer.

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Top stories this week including news of a rediscovered George II table making 100 times estimate

10 March 2024

The most viewed stories on this website over the last week included news of a fine quality Kentian console table bringing remarkable competition at an auction in Reading.

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All the fun of the fair: John Barker collection comes to Essex auction

05 March 2024

A collector of late 19th and early 20th century fairground art is offering 47 examples at Sworders.

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Rediscovered George II period table takes 100-times estimate at Berkshire auction

04 March 2024

A timed online auction at Thimbleby & Shorland of Reading included this fine quality Kentian console table that had come from a probate sale in London.

Regency table

A Regency table from the collection of TV star Drew Pritchard is among five lots to watch

04 March 2024

With estimates from £100, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.

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Chair that was a £15,000 single star

04 March 2024

The high-flyer in Dreweatts’ (26/25/20/15% buyer’s premium) sale of the contents of Collections from Cairness House and a Wimpole Street townhouse was the set of six Chippendale chairs made for Brocket Hall that sold for £95,000 (see News, ATG No 2629).

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Huge demand at auction for the extensive collection of the late George Withers

26 February 2024

Buyers descend on the late George Withers collection in Somerset

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