Antique Giant Clock Faces

 

 

A Magnificent pair of very large 19th century Clock Faces from a church or town hall Clock Tower in southern France

 

 

A Magnificent pair of very large 19th century Clock Faces from a church or town hall Clock Tower in southern France. The faces were constructed with enamelled panels on top of copper bases, the enamel having been worn and cracked over the years so that now the copper shows through in several places, now stabilised but giving the old faces a wonderfully distressed look.

 

 

 

 



The pairs of hands are original and adjustable. The mechanism of the clock is no longer in existence. (Its possible to get modern electric movements fitted to make the clocks workable.) The Clocks are lettered with the makers name and address 'L.Joly & Huchez- Ferrieres- Oise'. The first photo shows the pair on either side of my house front door.

 

 



 The faces measure 80 inches each in diameter. circa 1860-1890.

 

 

Aeology at Relic

 

 

 

 

 



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

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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

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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

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