It is the last day of August, and it feels like an appropriate time to say 'goodbye' to summer. This image of the top of our rare George I gilt gesso card table features a magnificent flower head surrounded by acanthus leaves and other flowering foliage - the epitome of summer! This summer we have … Continue reading Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn
Flora & Fauna
Sensational Scrolled Paper: A Refined Art
A Pair of George III Scroll Paper Tables Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection We continue the ABCs of decorative arts today with a letter that could have been quite tricky - 'Q' - but we are pleased to have the perfect answer: quilling! Quilling has had a variety of names over the years: paper filigree, paper … Continue reading Sensational Scrolled Paper: A Refined Art
Chic Chinoiserie: Lacquer Panels Transformed into Tables
A Chinese 18th century black lacquer low table Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection Today we are sharing some of our recent acquisitions that all feature magnificent chinoiserie designs. Each of the tables includes an antique lacquer panel decorated in gilt highlights on a black ground that has been mounted as a table. Shown above is an … Continue reading Chic Chinoiserie: Lacquer Panels Transformed into Tables
The ABCs of Decorative Arts: Patera
Top of a George III tulipwood and sycamore marquetry commode with inlaid oval fan patera decoration Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection We continue our journey through the ABCs of the decorative arts today with a term that often appears in our description of antiques: patera. Patera is an architectural term for a circular or oval ornament … Continue reading The ABCs of Decorative Arts: Patera
Scarlet Fever: A Love of Red Japanning
A Queen Anne Scarlet Japanned Bachelors Chest Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection This magnificent Queen Anne scarlet japanned bachelors chest is decorated with beautiful scarlet japanning. A Queen Anne Scarlet Japanned Bachelors Chest Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection The quality of the japanning throughout the chest is exceptional, but opening the door allows you to see the … Continue reading Scarlet Fever: A Love of Red Japanning
Mackinnon’s Summer Lamps Catalogue Now Published
We launched our summer lamps catalogue this week, and are delighted to share it with you. Have a look at the catalogue on our website here. These lamps are the perfect complement to any interior: with a mix of both antique and modern examples, the following collection reflects timeless designs and styles. Each of the … Continue reading Mackinnon’s Summer Lamps Catalogue Now Published
Mackinnon’s Biggest Fan: Burt the Saluki
We are finishing off the week with an introduction to the gallery's biggest fan (we are also quite fond of him!). Burt the Saluki can often be found at the gallery having a look at the collection and admiring antiques. Here is a shot of him yesterday giving his seal of approval on our wonderful … Continue reading Mackinnon’s Biggest Fan: Burt the Saluki
A Sailor’s Souvenir: The Fascinating History of the Shellwork Designs
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
The Age of Walnut Exhibition Spotlight: A Scarlet Japanned Bachelors Chest
A Queen Anne Scarlet Japanned Bachelors Chest Mackinnon Fine Furniture We are delighted to open our summer exhibition, The Age of Walnut, by highlighting a masterpiece in the exhibition that features on the cover of our catalogue - a rare and highly important Queen Anne scarlet japanned bachelors chest. A Queen Anne Scarlet Japanned Bachelors … Continue reading The Age of Walnut Exhibition Spotlight: A Scarlet Japanned Bachelors Chest
Mackinnon in the Press: Antique Collecting Highlights ‘Paper Chased’
We are delighted that Antique Collecting has highlighted our incredibly rare pair of George III paper scrolled tables in their article 'Paper Chased.' A Pair of George III Scroll Paper Tables Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection We first looked at this magnificent pair of tables and the history of the technique in our previous post here. … Continue reading Mackinnon in the Press: Antique Collecting Highlights ‘Paper Chased’
The Source 