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 Pair of George II Green Japanned Bureau Bookcases

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 …

Cultural Reflections: Chinese Export Art & Decoration

A pair of Chinese export mirror pictures, Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection Today we are looking at the history of Chinese export art and decoration that arrived in Europe, beginning in the 17th century and increasing significantly in the 18th century. From the late 1700s an increasing number of British, American, Dutch, Portuguese, French, and Scandinavian …

Friday Finds: A Look Back at the Archives

Detail from the George I scarlet japanned mule chest, Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection We are continuing our tradition of Friday Finds with a look back at the archives - today, we are exploring the history of the George I scarlet japanned mule chest in our collection. Antique furniture is not only defined by its age--it is also reflective of …

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 …

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 …

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 …

The Fanciful Designs of Thomas Johnson

Thomas Johnson was one of the most skilled carvers and furniture designers in Georgian England.  He was a champion of both the rococo movement and chinoiserie taste, and his elaborate designs often wove the two styles together. Johnson was born in 1723 as one of twelve children to a London builder and developer, Joel Johnson.  …

Designer Spotlight: Jared Hughes Design

Jared Hughes of Jared Hughes Design in our next Designer Spotlight, and we couldn't be more excited to share his work.  Hailing from Atlanta, GA, Jared is a rising star in the design world with accolades including House Beautiful's Next Wave Designer and Traditional Home's New Trad Designer already under his belt.  Jared's designs are …