Clock Props Vintage and Antique Clocks

 

Clock Props

 

 

 

 

Roger Lascelles has spent the past 30 years building a collection of vintage and antique clocks that is second to none. In the premises of the old Wandsworth clock factory Roger maintains a collection of over 500 clocks, ranging from antique grandfather clocks to huge external turret dials, from Bakerlite mantels to old French enamels. Roger still frequents antique markets and auction houses at home and abroad and with the help of a small team of skilled craftsmen, will often enjoy reviving an old electric clock that has seen better days, into a fully functional clock using a modern quartz movement, while maintaining all the charm and character of the original. Roger’s latest venture, clockprops.com is to offer many old and interesting clocks for sale or to hire. So if you are looking to decorate a film set or just want to own a piece of clock history this website will be an indispensible source.

 

 

 

Clock Props

 

 

 



Stephanie Connell Art & Antiques

Stephanie Connell Art & Antiques

Stephanie Connell Art & Antiques specialise in decorative objects and ephemera from the 19th and 20th centuries. We focus on pieces which encapsulate the era in which they were created or which represent the design style of the period. With over 15 years experience in the art and antiques industry and as a specialist in historic and entertainment memorabilia our collection offers stylish and iconic pieces at affordable prices.

Stephanie Connell Art & Antiques

Mark Goodger

Mark Goodger

Mark Goodger specialises in antique boxes and accessories, ranging from rare 18th century Tea Caddies to iconic 20th century Decanters. We are passionate about bringing antiques into the 21st century, and inspiring the next generation of antique buyers. We also offer a bespoke restoration service; all restoration is done at our Northamptonshire workshop by hand, using traditional methods passed down through generations. Appraisal and valuations are also available.

Mark Goodger

PURE IMAGINATION

PURE IMAGINATION

After some 25 years of auctioneering Andrew set up Pure Imagination Ltd in 2002. Initially buying glass and ceramics in Scandinavia the company started to buy Mid-Century furniture which we now source all over the UK as well as in Europe. Jonathan joined us in 2011 and added his experience in British pieces from the 60's and 70's. We now also have a full-time restorer and upholsterer working for us, so customers can choose their own colours and fabrics for sofas and chairs. We have a wealth of experience between us and are passionate about what we sell. Our interests are many, so when we see great pieces from other periods we add them to our stock. Our 4000 square foot warehouse is full of pieces in restored and unrestored condition, we also regularly sell to European and Far Eastern trade buyers .

PURE IMAGINATION

Travers Antiques

 

Travers Antiques

 

 



 

Travers Antiques has been in business for over 30 years and provides an eclectic mix of Antique, Art Deco, Mid Century Modern and Vintage industrial furniture, lighting and decorative objects online and from our shop in Alfies Antiques Market, Marylebone. We often have new items coming in, or can source a wide range of pieces. Please feel free to contact us with your needs.

 

Travers Antiques
Stand F075-80
Alfies Antiques Market
13-25 Church Street
London

 

 

Travers Antiques

 

 



Marchand Antiques

 

 

Marchand Antiques

 

 

Marchand Antiques has been established since 1994. The business was founded by Mark Lock, who is responsible for sourcing the stock from all over the British Isles and Europe, mainly sourcing from Sweden, Denmark, France and Italy. Marchand is a true family business and Mark is assisted by his wife Jacqueline, who heads up the sales team aided by Fiona, and their daughter Francesca, who looks after the IT and photography. Even Mark's father Vic looks after deliveries and collections. In Marchand's early days the business started in the classic way, by Mark operating as a runner, trading from his van. This soon flourished, and Mark took a space in Alfie's antique market to house the ever increasing stock. In the early days the core of the business was the London and overseas trade, but that rapidly expanded to include discerning private buyers and internationally renowned interior decorators, along with an increasing list of celebrity clients, who appreciate the discreet and reliable service. Marchand now have a large warehouse on the outskirts of the picturesque town of Arundel in West Sussex, which is viewable by appointment. Marchand stocks a wide variety of antiques, covering all the decorating styles and periods. We have stock from the 16th century through to the 20th century, including items in many styles including antique country furniture in oak and walnut, antique French and Swedish painted furniture, industrial, modernist, art deco, art nouveau, arts and crafts and mid-20th century designer items, through to garden and architectural antiques. Marchand's buying and stocking policy is quite simple: each piece is selected for its quality and uniqueness, and its ability to stand out on its own as the anchor piece for a room, or to complement a mood that has already been established. Marchand's style is hard to define, as it strives to be as unstylised as possible, by mixing periods and styles, and selecting items that work together regardless of period and style. This gives Marchand its strong and distinctive look, which has developed over the years.

 

 

 

http://interiorboutiques.com/en/marchand-antiques

 



Aeology at Relic

 

Aeology at Relic

 

A pioneer in decorative antiques- or more precisely in that area where visual, historical and folk art meet- Malcolm has been in the business since giving up law studies - and given his passion for French and Mediterranean art and traditions, it seems apt that his London shop/warehouse nestles beside the Eurostar Rail Terminus at London's St.Pancras Station. One of the UK’s foremost dealers in naïve objects, folk art, fairground carvings and the visually decorative, he is driven by his love for objects that fire the imagination. Renowned for unearthing pieces with a rare magical quality, he sources the original, the one -off and the inspirational for regular long-time clients and dealers or for newer contacts seeking either something beautiful for their homes or just the making of a good investment.

 

 

http://interiorboutiques.com/en/aeology-at-relic

 

 



Rare Rugs on InteriorBoutiques

 

 

Rare Rugs

 

 

 

Rare Rugs has one of the best collection of Antique and Vintage Kilim's, Rugs and Flatweaves in London.

Outstanding pieces from Mid to Late 19th Century to Vintage 1930's and 1950's in various sizes.

A long established family business dealing in rare and antique handmade Rugs, Kilim's & Textiles since Early 1950's.

We have supplied carpets to some of the world’s finest homes, well known organisations, Interior designers and private collectors during the course of many years as dealers in rare and antique carpets, specialising in authentic tribal Kilim's & Rugs obtained at origin or sourced globally.

 

 

 

 

We also have a fine selection of individual contemporary handmade rug's including some over size pieces suitable for the modern interior. 

The gallery is situated opposite Alfie's Antique Market in the heart of Westminster, London. 

Please contact us or visit our gallery and we give you our assurance that every effort will be made using our expertise to meet your requirements.

 

 

Visit Rare Rugs

 

http://interiorboutiques.com/en/rare-rugs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Our Latest Find: Vintage Soccer Table from Aeology at Relic

Vintage Soccer Table: from Aeology at Relic

An incredible piece is shown in the corresponding images, a French table-football game table crafted circa 1935-1940. The piece was found in the south-coast city of Marseilles and, considering its age, was found to be in good condition. The piece is a marvellous curiosity, evoking images of jovial young men drinking and sharing jokes whilst playing the game.

This piece is made predominantly from wood with a two-toned finish. That being said, it does feature some interesting details to be noted; the ‘players’ were crafted from iron and surprisingly, the entire game is still in perfect working condition; even the coin slot still works and regardless of that the system is very easily bypassed. The most notable detail though is one which immediately attracts intrigue and certainly would look unfamiliar to anyone who has played on such a table before; the table includes sloping corners made using chamfered wood, the purpose of which is to avoid the stagnation of play by continuously insuring that the ball rolls towards the central players should it find itself on the outskirts of the board. The reason this piece inspires such intrigue is resultant of a few collective features - the ones described here are obviously visual and provide the piece with a very eye-catching quality and an identity unparalleled. Subsequently, it is likely it would be very difficult to find another piece with the same character and personality this one possesses. However, as with most vintage artefacts, there are more, subtle, details which go unnoticed at an immediate observation. 

Of course, vintage means well aged but, especially with items such as this, it has the implication of housing stories and experiences. This specific piece was designed either briefly before the German invasion of France or during it and it has survived a brutal war in still working condition, despite virtually being in the thick of it. Additionally, the connotations of this board game, still widely played today, of exuberance and the casual passing of time, provide a humorous irony to the nature of the piece; it was created and played during a time of genuine hardship and it survived. 

This piece would make a fantastic addition to any collection, home or indeed any bar-type establishment as not only is it valuable as a vintage item, it is a piece which attracts attention for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, the very nature of the size and stature of the game - if it’s placed in a room it will likely be the first thing someone entering the room will notice. Secondly, the shock of finding out the age and subsequently pondering of who had played the game given its circumstance. Third, the intriguing design aesthetics of the piece are to be marvelled at and examined carefully by all viewers. 

A wonderful piece with a story to tell, this table is offered at a price of £4,475.00 GBP. This is a piece which boasts bountiful character and aesthetic appeal - anyone would be lucky to make this treasure their own.

For more details on this piece and to make an inquiry, visit:

http://interiorboutiques.com/en/vintage-soccer-game-table-from-france

For more from Malcolm at Aeology at Relic, visit his Interior Boutiques store at:
http://interiorboutiques.com/en/aeology-at-relic

For our full range of football tables from our dealers, visit:
http://interiorboutiques.com/Catalog/ShopByCategory/?q=football

For Interior Boutiques, visit:
http://interiorboutiques.com/Home/index

Decorated Vintage Bowl: from Arundel Eccentrics

Decorated Vintage Bowl: from Arundel Eccentrics

A truly marvelous piece can be seen displayed in the corresponding pictures; a decorated vintage bowl, made in Germany circa 1980. This piece would make a lovely addition to any collector’s home as it’s got all the makings of any large and stunning work, crammed into a smaller item. It’s got a striking and bold aesthetic and yet is still simultaneously subtle, it’s both extravagant and reserved, it’s both lavish and yet modest. What may, at first gaze, look like just a lovely bowl, actually has a beauty that may be overlooked, had the detail not been broken down.

This bowl was in lack-lustre shape until its refurbishing; it was given a new life after having been painted, gilt, filled with decoupage butterflies, varnished and aged. This amazing piece, having undergone its rejuvenation, is the piece which is being sold. The gold and red tones are enticing and rich - it adds a truly eye-catching quality to the piece and elevates it completely, making it an item which will attract a lot of attention from any onlookers able to observe it. The butterflies are just spectacular, applied with care and the utmost attention to detail; they add a down-to-earth element to this impressive piece, cutting though the extravagance of the gold and the fact that it is vintage provides it with value as a collector’s item. 

However, there is so much more than meets the eye with this unsuspecting treasure.

The butterflies bring this item to life in the most fantastic way, the visual presence of these butterflies make the piece so much more incredible than it would have been, had they not been there. Take the same bowl and picture it without them, or even another equally beautiful design, flowers for example. Yes, it is still a gorgeous piece and by all means would still be worth the attention of any collector, but a fundamental part of the bowl’s character would be no more; it would remove the bowl of the piece which provides it with an identity. 

Additionally, this piece was created with a lot of thought, when an item is gilt, the first thing an observer will notice is likely to be that very detail, it is such a dominant and overpowering feature that can literally outshine the other competing features. This has been avoided by the maker via careful and attentive designing, mostly regarding the decoupage butterflies; their colour, their nature, their freedom, all these things counteract the overbearing nature of the gold both visually and psychologically, and they make the item far more balanced and subsequently extremely easy on the eye. 

This item is listed for £180.00 and would make a welcome addition to any home, decor or collection, particularly if vintage luxury is at the core.
A fabulous idea, well thought out execution and an altogether marvelous item. 

For this item, please click this link for Interior Boutiques:
http://interiorboutiques.com/en/decorated-vintage-bowl

For other items from Arundel Eccentrics - featuring gorgeous rejuvenated decoupage pieces, click here:
http://interiorboutiques.com/en/arundel-eccentrics

For our other boutique shops, please visit:
http://interiorboutiques.com/Home/index

Final Call: Find as at the Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair!

Interior Boutiques at the Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair

We've been incredibly busy this week at this amazing fair and want to take this last opportunity to invite you down to see our gorgeous stand - with a selection of items from our selected dealers - and come to this stunning affair!

The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair is designed with the interior designer in mind, and aims to 'unite the antiques and interior design trades', thus bringing an amazing collection of antique dealers, collectors, art designers and decorators together to celebrate beauty in style and design. The fair's stands, created with the fundamental idea of 'room-set' fashion, gives each piece, each element, each style, a chance to shine and inspire you. Come and let us help you style your home, your business, your client's interiors by partaking in this year's brilliant fair.

We've brought over 20 dealer's items to our stand this year, aiming to showcase the finest in artworks, antiques, collectors items and midcentury furnishings - many of these items are featured on our site, http://interiorboutiques.com/en/ - have a look online, and if you'd like to enquire about any item specifically, we may have this item on our stand at the fair.

We'd also like to take this opportunity to showcase some of our dealers - they've worked hard to bring you their products to our site, and we've love if you had a look at their pages on our site:

http://interiorboutiques.com/en/arundel-eccentrics
Arundel Eccentrics: for stunningly quirky and characteristic decoupage furniture, which we love and have been featured in national and international interior magazines - you have to see them to believe them! Based in London.

http://interiorboutiques.com/en/d-a-binder
D & A Binder: For bespoke display cabinets of any shape, size and finish, found exclusively at D & A Binder. Also stocking beautiful retro & vintage furnishings, and based in London.

http://interiorboutiques.com/en/les-trois-gar%C3%A7ons
Les Trois Garçons: For the utmost in elegant, iconic and sophisticated design - no introduction is truly needed for this trio who have brought entertainment and elegance to the industry.

http://interiorboutiques.com/en/mark-goodger
Mark Goodger: Specializing in antique accessories and boxes, Mark Goodger brings antiques into the 21st century and has some of the most beautiful small Tea Caddies and Decanters in existence - have a look at his stock.

Gondola Sofa: from B & T Antiques

Gondola Sofa: from B & T Antiques

Photographed here, we have a stunning vintage gondola sofa; this piece was crafted circa 1950 amongst many highly regarded pieces of Scandinavian furniture, and most of these renowned works were crafted primarily with functionality in mind (likely as a subsequent result of newly acquired social attitudes following the second world war) and as a result often present themselves with modern design aesthetics. Though the forward thinking logic of Scandinavian designers is visible with regards to this piece, the overall look is more ambiguous than some others.

The piece was crafted from an unspecified wood; however, based on other such pieces of furniture from the era, it’s safe to say that it was likely crafted from rosewood or some other readily available hardwood. This assumption is supported by the fact that the properties of these woods offer both choice functionality, as these woods generally last significant lengths of time whilst showing minimal signs of wear in comparison to some soft woods e.g. teak, as well as a bountiful sense of visual pleasantry, stemming from gorgeous grain patterns and the general tendency of these woods taking well to some forms of lacquer. 

Vintage Scandinavian furniture was rather highly sought after during the latter part of the 20th century as it was known for the application of high quality woods and impressive utilitarian and simply beautiful design features. The exact same can be said for this gondola sofa; firstly, with regards to the use of high quality woods, it’s safe to assume that this sofa is no different, it has survived over half a century and the wooden components of the piece really do express minimal signs of wear, many more recent pieces could not have the same said for them. 

In terms of utility, this piece meets all required criteria: it looks very spacious and comfortable, the velvet covering provides a comfortable surface feel, the spaces either side of the curved arm rests provide ample space for a small table to partially sit under (should it not be able to fit otherwise) and the legs take up as small a space as possible for a sofa of this size. 

Finally, in terms of interesting and aesthetically pleasing design features, there is much that can be said; the beige velvet covering is simply exquisite and makes the sofa look very inviting, the smooth curved lines of the sofa are quite passive and as such make the sofa a very interesting and tasteful addition to the room it may find itself in, without dominating the overall look of the room as some sofas have a tendency of doing. Again with regards to the light curvature of the lines in which the sofa was crafted; they offer an almost ambiguous modern design. For a 1950s piece the design is undoubtedly modern in nature, however it certainly does not lend itself to either an antique or modern setting. This detail is probably the most impressive about this sofa and really expresses the genius of the renowned Scandinavian designers of the time, whilst also exemplifying why such pieces were so highly sought after. 

This piece is offered at a price of £2,800.00 and it’s clear why - though it is safe to assume the presence of a high wood quality in furniture such as this, it's the design which really sets this gondola sofa apart even from modern pieces of furniture. It takes an impressive thinking to draw up and create a piece that has features that lend themselves to either setting equally effectively; it is this characteristic especially which should make any buyer or home owner consider purchasing it.     

To inquire about this item, click here:

http://interiorboutiques.com/en/gondola-sofa-cl950

For more items from B&T Antiques, click here:
http://interiorboutiques.com/en/b-t-antiques

For more sofas from Interior Boutiques, click here to see our full collection:
http://interiorboutiques.com/Catalog/ShopByCategory/?q=sofa

Antique Deep Buttoned Leather Chesterfield Sofa: from Church Street Antiques

Antique Deep Buttoned Leather Chesterfield Sofa: from Church Street Antiques

Pictured here is an undeniably gorgeous piece of furniture, an antique deep buttoned leather Chesterfield sofa crafted circa 1930. Predominant characteristics of these sofas can be seen exemplified here in: the arms which rise to the same height as the back of the sofa, the leather upholstering and the tightly stuffed cushions. 

Often when it comes to furniture a picture is worth a thousand words and some pieces truly speak for themselves - the same can be said for this fabulous piece, it simply oozes character. Various details about this piece give it this character - the tone, for example, is a rich and moving brown; the incorporation of this colour gives the sofa the warm and inviting presence the perfect sofa should present. When one sits on their sofa they expect immediate comfort and relaxation, and when one looks at this one, they come to expect the very same. Additionally, the large, tightly stuffed cushions clearly offer a similar sense of sturdy comfort. The leather upholstering really adds to the personality to the sofa, by showing ruggedness and reliability, after all its having survived in incredible condition following almost a century of life clearly indicates that its of a high quality and is not easily affected by wear and tear.

But what really sets this sofa apart is that it seems to tell a story. It was crafted at a time of widespread British pride, the age of an empire and certain aspects of the sofa really do seem to reflect such sentiments. It’s large in stature and has an air of reliability and ruggedness, the same tough demeanour often characterised by the likes of Winston Churchill and Queen Victoria. The rich, brown tones of the upholstered leather represent the huge wealth acquired by the empire and the wealth the empire itself had come to represent in its vibrant lifetime. The tasteful curvature of the arms and the back represent the various great British minds in literature, the arts, science and numerous other fields. It is a quintessentially British couch and a marvellous example of one at that.

     

Why should this sofa attract the attention of a collector or even just someone lucky enough to have the opportunity of buying such an amazing piece? Because it is an item which would fit so perfectly into any home or collection. This chesterfield sofa is just such a wonderful specimen and one which wouldn't look out of place in the right type of modern setting; in fact, in one which doesn't totally alienate its vintage colour and style it would certainly be the single most eye-catching part of the entire room. 

This piece is offered at a price of £2,500, great value for a piece with such bountiful character, charm and handsome aesthetics, which any buyer would be lucky to add to their home or collection.

For this item, more details and to enquire, click here:
http://interiorboutiques.com/en/antique-deep-buttoned-leather-chesterfield-sofa

For more items from Stuart Shuster at Church Street Antiques, click here:
http://interiorboutiques.com/en/church-street-antiques

For Stuart Shuster's guest articles, click these links:
What is the 'Original' look in Antique Furniture?http://interiorboutiques.blogspot.com/2016/08/specialist-article-by-stuart-shuster.html
What makes an antique attractive to a customer?
http://interiorboutiques.blogspot.com/2016/07/what-makes-antique-attractive-to.html

For more from Interior Boutiques, click here:
http://interiorboutiques.com/Catalog/ShopByCategory

18th Century Chest of Drawers: from Les Trois Garçons

18th Century Chest of Drawers: from Les Trois Garçons

Shown here is a truly stunning piece, a Louis XVI chest of drawers, crafted in France of course circa 1790. This piece is in remarkable condition for such an item of such an age and is certainly worth a good look from the eyes of any buyer.

This chest of drawers is an incredibly beautiful piece, for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is crafted from mahogany; a hardwood which is not only renowned for its durability, mahogany consistently provides the items it graces with an absolutely gorgeous tone, here, it presents itself with a deep and nutty brownish colour which really adds a warm and inviting aesthetic appeal to the overall look of the chest. Additionally, mahogany boasts a stunning natural grain, clearly visible in the photos provided.

The design also incorporates a lavish white marble top, the presence of marble will already almost guarantee a visually impressive piece, however what sets this piece apart is how the marble creates an incredible contrast with the rich tone of the mahogany. It is this contrast that creates a real sense of visual pleasantry obvious to any onlooker. Moreover, the piece is detailed throughout with brass, this is clear with regards to the gallery which holds the marble top. The brass doesn't disturb the wonderful contrast between the mahogany and the marble; rather it simply adds another colour to impress the viewer more so. The addition of brass to mahogany is also characteristic of the regency period. 

Quite frankly it would be almost a shame to see such a fantastic piece put to practical use again; this most certainly is a piece which should be added to a collection, as it simply stands out as an impressive item. The piece is crafted with very high quality materials, including mahogany. The incorporation of mahogany means this piece will remain in its owner’s collection for a substantial length of time whilst also surviving any wear it may be subject to. Additionally the presence of high quality materials makes a statement about and adds to the richness of the collection in which the chest may find itself in. Lastly, the chest is in excellent condition for an antique of its age, an impressive factor to anyone who might have the pleasure of viewing it.

This piece is offered at a price of £3,950.00; age, excellent workmanship in terms of its crafting, obviously the incorporation of such prestigious and handsome materials and overall condition are what constitutes the price of this antique and are also the factors which would make it a formidable addition to any well established or starting collection. 

For more details on this particular item, click this link:
http://interiorboutiques.com/en/18th-century-chest-of-drawers

For more gorgeous pieces from Les Trois Garçons, click here:
http://interiorboutiques.com/en/les-trois-gar%C3%A7ons 

For more Chests of Drawers, click here:
http://interiorboutiques.com/Catalog/ShopByCategory/?q=drawers

American Vintage Sideboard: from Les Trois Garçons

American Vintage Sideboard: from Les Trois Garçons

Shown here, an intricately and skilfully crafted American Vintage sideboard; this specific piece was designed by Lane USA circa 1960.

This piece can be used in the place of a drawer as well as perhaps having more of a showcasing role in its owner’s home. This is due to the fact that it has 9 drawers which open at the front; these could store anything from clothes, to shoes or could even be, with some slight modification, converted into some type of extravagant and lavish wine rack. Effective showcasing can be achieved, simply by taking advantage of the lacquered finish on the top of the sideboard; onlookers will be enticed by the exquisite design features which adorn the front of sideboard itself only to find even more gorgeous items featured.
This piece is made from oak and therefore bears with it some advantages. For example, oak is a very durable wood and so will last longer and stand up to more rigorous usage than some other pieces of furniture crafted from softer woods, such as cedar or pine. Oak is a traditional type of wood often found in antique pieces of furniture and so will offer a great rustic look and make an excellent and eye-catching addition to any room with this such aesthetic. The wood also takes very well to lacquer; the top of the sideboard has been subject to such treatment and so expresses the sheer charm of the wood’s grain.  

The wood aside; the piece itself has many advantages to offer, mainly the frontal decor. On the forward facing side of the sideboard, we can observe a truly marvellous design; in a sense, it exemplifies the characteristics of the wood from which it was crafted, for example, the rigidity presented by the straight lines, express the sturdy quality of the oak. However, the variation of the line lengths, the breaks provided via the incorporation of a few differing shapes, and just the fact that it is such a stunning piece of wood work, reflect the wood’s natural allure.

To conclude, this piece is offered at a price of £4,800.00, due to its breathtaking design, the well maintained condition of this antique and the quality of the oak used. It would find itself a welcome and flattering addition to any collector’s home in any range of purposes.

To find more pieces from Les Trois Garçons on Interior Boutiques, click here:
http://interiorboutiques.com/en/les-trois-gar%C3%A7ons

For more stunning sideboards on Interior Boutiques, click here:
http://interiorboutiques.com/Catalog/ShopByCategory/?q=sideboard

For Interior Boutiques:
http://interiorboutiques.com/en/

A Rosewood Bookcase Cabinet

A Rosewood Bookcase Cabinet: from Marchand Antiques

This piece is a bookcase cabinet constructed by Robert Heritage and Archie Shine for Heals of London circa 1959. It is entirely crafted from Rosewood and features five cupboard sections with removable shelves in the top tier, a large cupboard in the middle tier as well as four small draws and a cocktail cabinet, and finally on the lower tier are two large drawers and a smaller one.

This piece is highly utilitarian, the five cupboard sections could be used for any desired purpose but ultimately provide ample space for any storage type role and the large cupboard located in the middle portion of the bookcase cabinet can easily accommodate a flat-screen TV for example or anything with similar dimensions (for this specific application the sliding door is very useful as it offers protection for the contents of the cupboard in the middle tier). Of course this piece has more to offer, right of the cupboard in the middle tier are four small drawers which again can be used for any storage type role; right of these drawers one will find a fall front cocktail cabinet featuring a mirrored rear face and glass shelf. Continuing with this idea of utility, on the lower tier we find two large drawers capable of housing shoes, clothing, a cigar box perhaps, or whatever else its owner deems fit. Finally, on the right of these we find a final smaller drawer. This vast amount of storage space makes this piece a practical addition to any home, perhaps most well suited to a living room for the reasons previously outlined. 

Onto the more aesthetic side of this piece, the first thing to mention is the wood from which it was crafted, that being rosewood.  Rosewood is a hardwood commonly used in furniture, musical instruments, mathematical tools and various other applications; this is due to the fact that it offers not only rugged durability and relatively good shock resistance (making it ideal as a wood to use for practical a purpose as it doesn't wear easily) but also bears a truly stunning natural grain which we can see tastefully adorning the forward face of the bookcase cabinet. The dark brown tone of the wood, coupled with the cocktail cabinet and the wood’s grain provide a lavish rustic looking quality to an otherwise totally utilitarian piece and give it a more vibrant characteristic.
 


This piece is offered at £2,650.00, a great price for such a practical and beautiful piece and it doesn't go without saying that though it may have been designed half a century ago it wouldn't feel out of place and would in fact make a perfect addition to any modern home.   

For more pieces from Marchand Antiques, click here:
 http://interiorboutiques.com/en/marchand-antiques

For antiques, fine art, midcentury pieces and more, click here:
http://interiorboutiques.com/en/

Specialist Article by Stuart Shuster - What is the Original Antique Look in Furniture?

Guest Editor - Stuart Shuster, from Church Street Antiques

Stuart has owned and run Church Street Antiques, in Marylebone's famous antiques district in London for over 30 years, and specialises in Edwardian, Victorian, English, French, 17th - 20th century furniture. Stuart has extensive expertise of this industry, and offers many services including buying, selling, restoring, commissioning and pricing pieces, as well as house clearances. He has a keen eye for antiques, particularly wooden furniture (especially mahogany, oak, beech, and kingwood), and has given us this piece about the 'antique look' - what is it? What is the most valuable? What should you do with your antique? Read on to hear Stuart's opinion on this very important topic. 

"It often amuses me as to what is considered ‘the original look’ in relation to antique furniture.

For instance, how do you make, say, an antique desk look original? Do you strip & polish it, so that it looks like it was when new 100 years ago? This, strictly speaking, is the original look but obviously it will look new, without a lot of character.  

 Or do you just gently clean the surface & polish over what’s there, giving the piece an older look, with loads of character?

It’s really all a question of taste.
One thing’s for sure, once the old patina has been stripped off, it can’t be replaced. Ask any period furniture dealer & they will tell you not to strip the item if it is period with good original patina, because you will not only lose all of the character but also most of the commercial value.

If the damage has already been done & the piece is devoid of character, then a very good polisher can probably French polish it in the traditional way, to give it a fairly nice look. There is nothing wrong with that & the item should look okay. But to be honest, there are not enough good polishers out there - or should I say a lot of antique dealers can’t really afford to pay for a good polishing job because the final asking price would be too high.

I suppose it’s all about offering a certain look, which will appeal to some & not to others.
I used to regularly exhibit at a very large antique fair where there was always one particular large stand with loads of genuine antique furniture - all of the pieces on this stand looked like they had been stripped with a belt sander & spray polished. Every piece of the furniture looked perfect. There were no indentations or any markings whatsoever. Everything looked new with absolutely no character. To my amazement, this stand always had a high turnover; they used to sell loads. They obviously had their own following.

Like I said, it’s all a question of taste." 

For Stuart's site, if you're searching for gorgeous Victorian furniture, especially large mahogany, oak, Burr walnut, leather pieces, Stuart has extensive and constantly-changing stock. Click here for his Interior Boutiques page to see his Boutique Shop:

http://interiorboutiques.com/en/church-street-antiques

The three featured items in this article's images are linked here:
Antique Victorian Mahogany Pedestal Desk http://interiorboutiques.com/en/antique-victorian-mahogany-pedestal-desk
Antique French Walnut Salon Taupe Armchairs http://interiorboutiques.com/en/pair-of-antique-french-walnut-salon-taupe-armchairs
Antique Burr Walnut Cocktail Drinks Cabinet http://interiorboutiques.com/en/antique-burr-walnut-cocktail-drinks-cabinet

For more items, check out Interior Boutiques advance search to search for specific items you're hunting for:
http://interiorboutiques.com/Catalog/ShopByCategory

Specialist Article by Stuart Shuster - "What Makes An Antique Attractive to a Customer?"

What Makes An Antique Attractive to a Customer?

Guest Editor - Stuart Shuster, from Church Street Antiques

Stuart has owned and run Church Street Antiques, in Marylebone's famous antiques district in London for over 30 years, and specialises in Edwardian, Victorian, English, French, 17th - 20th century furniture. As a man in the antiques business for such a long period, Stuart has expertise of this business which exceeds his years, and thus his business has flourished. He has supplied items for the world's interior designers, celebrities and businessmen, and he knows how to sell his items. He's given us this article describing his approach to his stock selection, and what he thinks is important in a piece. He's very straight-forward in discussion, and he clearly knows his stuff - have a read on to hear the man himself. 

The interesting thing about the antique business is that there are many different articles being sold at many different levels. Taking the furniture angle alone, there are many different levels at which it is being sold. In the future I will be giving you advice on different ways of finding, checking out & buying antique furniture, without having to over pay or get ripped off.

The kind of antique furniture I sell is basically affordable & functional. I'm not too bothered about datelines. The item doesn't have to be over 100 years old to be a good piece of furniture. For instance, some Victorian furniture can be very poorly made, whilst some 1950's pieces can be of amazing quality. You can buy a cheap quality inlaid mahogany Edwardian bureau bookcase for £750 or pay £1500 for a top quality 1950's example, which would be the one I would always buy.

The value of both items might go up at a similar percentage, but the 50's bureau bookcase has got to be the better investment. To be honest, most items that I sell are at the common sense buying, price level. Just compare what you would have to pay for the modern day equivalent in the stores today. Not only would you pay more for the new equivalent, but it would be far inferior in quality, with a massive loss in value as soon as you purchase it. More importantly, it won't look as good, with no character & it certainly will not last as long.

Most of the new furniture, being sold these days, is spray polished. That normally means that when scratched, the polish can just peal off & is difficult to polish over. I don't really want to get too technical right now, because I'd like to save that for another article in the future, regarding restoration & polishing. What I am really trying to say is, it's far better to buy the older piece of furniture, providing it's well made, than the new equivalent.

The only cheap reproduction furniture available these days, is the nasty overseas spray polished imports from  Far East countries. The main problem with these items is, besides being absolutely worthless as soon as they are purchased, the wood is never seasoned, so it starts splitting & warping in different room temperatures. Did you know that once the wood is cut from the tree, it needs to be left to dry out for many years, or be kiln dried; otherwise it will split & warp.

The main point I am trying to make is, wherever possible, if you have the choice, steer away from new reproduction furniture, in favor of older equivalents. As long as they are over 40 years, the quality, character & resale value will be much better.

For Stuart's site, if you're searching for gorgeous Victorian furniture, especially large mahogany, oak, Burr walnut, leather pieces, Stuart has extensive and constantly-changing stock. Click here for his site:
http://www.churchstreetantiques.net/

For Stuart's Interior Boutiques page, for a selection of his items and to see his Boutique Shop, click here:

http://interiorboutiques.com/en/church-street-antiques

For more items, check out Interior Boutiques advance search:
http://interiorboutiques.com/Catalog/ShopByCategory