A 19th Century Sailor's Valentine from BarbadosMackinnon Fine Furniture Collection Today we are looking at a fascinating example of decorative arts that has its origins in Barbados and subsequently travelled worldwide thanks to sailors bringing them far and wide. Sailor's valentines are a specific type of shellwork incorporating geometric mosaics of shells within octagonal wooden boxes. … Continue reading A Sailor’s Souvenir: The Fascinating History of the Shellwork Designs
A Worcester Teacup and Saucer by the atelier of James Giles from the Saltram Service Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection James Giles (1718-1780) was an outstanding English porcelain and glass painter who worked for all of the major porcelain manufacturers, including Worcester, Derby, Bow, and Chelsea. Giles’ father, also James Giles, was a ‘China Painter’ by … Continue reading Prized Porcelain: James Giles and Worcester Porcelain
A George II walnut armchair attributed to Giles Grendey Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection As our Age of Walnut exhibition continues this week, we are exploring more of the history of the use of walnut as a timber for furniture in England. From the end of the 17th century through the middle of the 18th century, … Continue reading The Age of Walnut: A History (cont.)
A Pair of George III Marquetry Card Tables attributed to John Cobb from Stowe, Buckinghamshire Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection We are continuing our series 'Friday Finds' looking at some archival material related to the exceptional pair of Stowe card tables in our collection. This very fine pair of George III kingwood and brass-inlaid card tables … Continue reading Friday Finds: A Look Back at the Archives
A Pair of George II Green Japanned Bureau Bookcases attributed to Giles Grendey Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection Our Age of Walnut exhibition continues in the gallery this week, and today we are highlighting a magnificent piece from the exhibition. We are always on the search for the rare, the unique, and the magnificent. We are delighted … Continue reading The Age of Walnut Exhibition Spotlight: A Pair of George II Green Japanned Bureau Bookcases
A George I Burr Walnut Bureau from the collection of Duke of Chandos for Shaw House, Berkshire Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection Earlier in the week we shared a bit of history about the walnut tree for our Age of Walnut exhibition. We continue this history today looking at the emergence of walnut furniture in England … Continue reading The Age of Walnut: A History (cont.)
A George I Burr Walnut Bureau Cabinet attributed to the Master of the Royal Portuguese CabinetsMackinnon Fine Furniture Today we are sharing another spotlight from our summer exhibition, The Age of Walnut. This superb George I burr walnut bureau cabinet is attributed to the Master of the Portuguese Royal Cabinets. The cabinet is veneered in … Continue reading The Age of Walnut Exhibition Spotlight: A George I Burr Walnut Bureau Cabinet
