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 …

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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. …

Exhibition Spotlight: The Hagley Hall Side Chairs

Our exhibition spotlight today is this outstanding pair of George III carved mahogany and upholstered side chairs, attributed to the Royal cabinet-makers William Vile and John Cobb.  The serpentine-shaped upholstered backs and seats are above wonderful carved seat frames and exaggerated cabriole legs terminating in scroll feet.  The carving is of exceptional quality and crispness. …

The ABCs of Decorative Arts: Libraries

Our alphabetic tour of the decorative arts continues today with one of the most classic and historied interiors within the home: the library.  Today our focus is on the room known as the library (rather than the collection of books itself), which is a space of great importance and with a rich cultural history.  We …

Hear Me Roar: Lions in Regency England

Lions are the undisputed kings of the jungle.  But where do they fit into English history?  As early as King John's reign in England around 1210, lions were said to be kept at the Tower of London menagerie.  Medieval English warriors who had a reputation for bravery were often nicknamed 'the Lion': Richard I of …

The Art of the Fold: A History of Decorative Screens in the Interior

Several months ago we looked at Chinese lacquer screens and their history.  Today we will focus on the broader history of screens and how they became a popular and fashionable item in Georgian England and Continental Europe.  The painting entitled The New Song by Jan Josef Horemans depicts an interior scene with a group of men …

The ABCs of the Decorative Arts: Imbrication

Our next stop on the alphabet of the decorative arts is imbrication.  Although this word may be unfamiliar now, you will soon start spotting this decorative feature everywhere.  Imbrication is decorative style featuring overlapping patterns, such as tiles on a roof or scales.  The word comes from the Latin imbricare 'to cover with tiles.'   The style first …

The ABCS of Decorative Arts: Bombé

As we continue our series through the ABC's of decorative arts, it is tempting to focus today's 'B' post on blue-john--but luckily we have already covered it in one of our first posts.  So instead, we are focusing our attention on bombé, which is a basic yet defining feature of decorative arts in the eighteenth century. …