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 …

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The Feet on Furniture: Bracket Feet

We are continuing our Friday series looking the different types of feet on antique furniture to explore the different styles and motifs that were popular throughout the 18th century. Today we are looking at bracket feet.  As the name suggests, bracket feet are in the shape of a bracket and feature a straight corner edge …

Seeing Double: A George II Walnut Double Back Settee

We are delighted to share this magnificent George II walnut double back settee.  The back features two vase shaped splats and shepherds crook arms.  The settee stands on a shaped seat frame with three cabriole front legs headed by carved shell and husk decoration, terminating in ball and claw feet, with three splayed rear legs. …

Duties & Customs: Thomas Chippendale & His Wily Tricks

Paying duties and customs are part of any modern shipping process: but it certainly isn't anything new.  Back in the eighteenth century, customs and international trade agreements had a significant impact on the way art and furniture arrived in England.  For example, the Seven Years War greatly decreased trade between England and France, but it …

Sensational Scrolled Paper: A Refined Art

We are delighted to share a rare and remarkable pair of George III scroll paper tables - these tables are part of a very small group of furniture that features this decorative technique called scroll paper decoration, also known as quilling or paper filigree.  We will look at the history of this technique and its …

Superbly Serpentine: A Sofa Designed in the Manner of Thomas Chippendale

We are no stranger to the designs and furniture of Thomas Chippendale (see here, here, and here for proof... or here, here, and here!).  This very fine 19th century mahogany double serpentine sofa is designed in the manner of Thomas Chippendale. The sofa features upholstered back, seat, and sides.  The mahogany show-frame is finely carved …

The Feet on Furniture: Spade Feet

We are continuing our Friday tradition where we take a close look at the feet on pieces of furniture in our collection to explore the different styles and motifs that were popular throughout the 18th century. Today we are focusing on the spade foot: this form derives inspiration from its name, the spade, and is …

A Peek at the Past: Japanning as Craft

In the course of doing research on pieces in our collection, we came across this wonderful record of a letter that Edmund Verney wrote to his daughter Molly in 1689.  Molly was at school at 'Great Chelsey' when she received the following encouragement from her father: I find you have a desire to learn to …

The Feet on Furniture: Animal Paw Feet

If you had a look at our Instagram today, you would have seen that we are starting a new Friday tradition taking a close look at the feet on pieces of furniture in our collection. We will explore the different styles and motifs that were popular throughout the 18th century on chairs, table, chests, and …

Take a Look Inside: A George III Chippendale Chest of Drawers

Whenever we share photographs of a piece of furniture in our collection, we almost always show either a front on view or an angled view to show more three dimensional detail.  But with furniture, it is just as important to take a closer look inside: especially when there are drawers, doors, or other interior compartments. …