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 …

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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 …

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 …

Winding Back the Time… A Magnificent Japanned Clock

A Georgian Scarlet Japanned Eight Day Clock by Robert Wood Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection We are delighted to share this magnificent scarlet japanned eight day clock by the London clockmaker Robert Wood. A Georgian Scarlet Japanned Eight Day Clock by Robert Wood Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection The case is beautifully decorated with scarlet japanning and …

Dressing Decadently: A Queen Anne Black & Gilt Japanned Dressing Mirror

We are delighted to present this exceptional Queen Anne black and gilt japanned dressing mirror.  The shaped mirror frame features turned supports on uprights, the fall front below has a stepped interior of pigeon holes and drawers, and the base drawers contains a nest of compartments and comb slots. The whole is decorated with the …

Friday Finds: A Look Back at the Archives

A few weeks ago we started a new series called Friday Finds where we take a look back at the archives to learn more about the pieces in our collection.  It is a great way to put a piece in context by showing how it has been represented historically in other print sources. Today we …

Reflections on Mirrors: Origins in England

To celebrate the publication of our latest catalogue Mirrors (which you can read here), we will be sharing a few posts that look into the history of mirrors in England from the 17th century onward. Capturing ones reflection dates back to mythology: Narcissus, upon seeing his beautiful reflection in the waters, fell in love with himself and …

A Rare Treasure: A George II Japanned Pier Mirror Attributed to Giles Grendey

We have always loved 18th century japanning: we held an exhibition on japanning at the gallery in the past.  Today we wanted to share an exceptionally rare large George II green japanned pier mirror attributed to Giles Grendey.  The beveled mirror plates in two parts are surrounded by a magnificently decorated shaped frame profusely decorated …

Flora & Fauna Catalogue Highlight: A Japanese Black and Gilt Lacquer Cabinet on Stand

Today's Flora & Fauna catalogue highlight is this exceptional Japanese Edo period black and gilt lacquer cabinet decorated throughout, including the top, with mountain landscape scenes.  The cabinet features a pair of doors with copper engraved mounts, hinges, and lock-plates that open to reveal ten drawers of varying sizes similarly decorated with foliage.  The interior doors are …

Mackinnon Fine Furniture 2018 Annual Catalogue Now Published

We are delighted to announce that our third annual print catalogue is now published.  The pieces featured in this catalogue have all been chosen for their individual attributes that make English antique furniture so inherently interesting and appealing-in particular, we have concentrated on provenance and attribution, as well as fantastic decoration, design, colour, and patina.  …