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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Shop talk – Timeless Furniture

11 December 2017

In our continuing series looking through the keyhole of ‘bricks and mortar’ shops in 2017, ATG talks to Nathan Ve-Ly of Timeless Furniture.

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Furniture crossover culture – Exhibition looks at how japanning combined eastern design with British craftsmanship

04 December 2017

During the 17th century, European craftsmen were captivated by lacquer ware imported from Asia.

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Couple of pearlers at Hampshire auction

04 December 2017

Two examples of the 19th century European craftsmen’s love of mother of pearl shone at Hannam’s (20% buyer’s premium) sale at Selborne on November 15.

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Best Trevanion & Dean sale is a suite success

04 December 2017

Founded three years ago, the Whitchurch, Shropshire, firm of Trevanion & Dean (19% buyer’s premium) enjoyed its best sale so far when the 950 lots, ranging from Renaissance art to contemporary glass, totalled £250,000 on November 18.

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Malton’s £10,000 miniature marvel

04 December 2017

Topping a recent sale at Boulton & Cooper in Malton, near York was this unusual Georgian miniature elbow chair with shell-carved knees and cresting rail.

Flat Iron Square

London Bridge vintage market launches a green-fingered Christmas

27 November 2017

‘Flea at Flat Iron Square’ near London Bridge has launched its festive events programme.

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North London gallery shows Arts & Crafts furniture alongside later works to encourage combinations

27 November 2017

For its annual winter show, 'In Situ', The Millinery Works gallery in Islington shows off the diversity of its offerings while celebrating the Arts & Crafts furniture in which it has long specialised.

Aesthetic Movement pedestal standing

Aesthetic Movement furniture at Stair Galleries in New York

20 November 2017

Among the items on offer in the December 16 auction of traditional fine art, furniture, decorative items and jewellery to be held by Stair Galleries in Hudson, New York, will be this Aesthetic Movement ebonised and parcel-gilt pedestal standing.

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Angels fly ahead of the furniture pack in Suffolk

20 November 2017

The second of Suffolk House Antiques’ two annual exhibitions has yet to kick off officially – Christmas Selling Exhibition 2017 runs from December 2-23 and showcases an array of early furniture and works of art in the Yoxford gallery. Even so, with the catalogue up online, sales have already started.

Lips

Buyer sought to keep £500,000 Salvador Dalí Mae West lips sofa in the UK

17 November 2017

A Salvador Dalí Mae West lips sofa has been blocked from export in the hope a buyer can be found to pay nearly £500,000 to keep it in the UK.

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Mirror, mirror (and 14 more mirrors) on the wall - which is the best-seller of them all?

15 November 2017

If you are into interior design and are looking for a theatrical flourish then a sale coming up at a Glasgow auction house this Friday (November 17) could be worth a moment of reflection.

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French design fits the zeitgeist at Paris auction

13 November 2017

A sale devoted to pieces by French designers and held in the French capital proved to be a winning formula for Sotheby’s (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) latest auction in this category on October 31.

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Dresser leads low-down on post-1860 design sales scene

06 November 2017

With sales of post-1860 design a seasonal fixture round the country, an argument could be made for Scottish auctioneers Lyon & Turnbull (25% buyer’s premium) having a geographical edge.

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All lots sold and record set in auction of 20 lots by designer Charlotte Perriand

06 November 2017

Artcurial’s (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) auction focus on Charlotte Perriand, the celebrated 20th century French designer and a current hot ticket in the design market, took the form of a select sale of just 20 lots chosen to showcase her strengths and versatility.

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Spains Hall sofa sold for £140,000 at Bonhams

06 November 2017

Bonhams’ Important Design sale in Bond Street on October 25 included this George III mahogany hall settee in the manner of William and John Linnell. Estimated at £8000- 12,000, it sold at £140,000 (plus premium), writes Roland Arkell.

View from the Malvern Hills by Laura Knight

Gloucestershire auction offers Laura Knight landscape and furniture from Georgian mansion

03 November 2017

Paintings by Dame Laura Knight (1877-1970) appear fairly regularly at auction, most commonly her views of Staithes and Cornwall as well as figurative works.

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Pick of the Week: Nelson’s chair of command

30 October 2017

The large pockets once inserted at the side of this leather armchair – now sealed up – give a clue to the role of the famous person who once sat on it. The chair’s nickname of ‘The Emma’ is another big hint.

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Shop talk – Patrick Sandberg Antiques

30 October 2017

In our continuing series looking through the keyhole of ‘bricks and mortar’ shops in 2017, ATG talks to Patrick Sandberg, owner of the eponymous shop specialising in English furniture and works of art. Sandberg is one of the dealers exhibiting at the Winter Art & Antiques Fair Olympia (October 31-November 5).

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Dealer delights in mid-century design at Two Cs' fair

30 October 2017

Furniture and decoratives dealer Paul Burnett from the Forest of Dean, gives an expansive welcome to buyers at his stand at a recent Two Cs antiques fair at the Chateau Impney Hotel, near Droitwich. He will be exhibiting at the organisers’ two-day fair on November 11-12.

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Exhibition reveals why Oxfordshire dealers love the ‘shady’ side of classic English furniture

30 October 2017

'50 Shades of Brown – By George We’ve Got It!', the exhibition at WR Harvey Antiques from November 4-12, might be less titillating than its near-namesake novel – but no matter.

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