We are delighted to share an article from the latest issue of Antique Collecting magazine that highlights our forthcoming Age of Walnut exhibition. The article offers an in depth look at the history of walnut furniture in England in the late 17th and early 18th centuries when it was at its most popular. The article highlights several pieces that … Continue reading Mackinnon in the Press: Antique Collecting Highlights Age of Walnut Exhibition
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It’s All Greek (or Latin, or Celtic) to Me: The Origin of Furniture Vocabulary Part II
Last spring we looked at the origin of the names of various pieces of furniture, including chair, table, mirror, and clock. We have also looked at the history of more specific types of furniture, such as the Pembroke table or corner chair in other posts. Today we are offering round two of this etymological adventure. … Continue reading It’s All Greek (or Latin, or Celtic) to Me: The Origin of Furniture Vocabulary Part II
Opening the Doors of a Walnut Bureau Bookcase
One of the great joys of working with antique furniture is the tangible nature of the pieces in our collection. Oil paintings, for example, do not invite frequent touching or handling, but furniture is a different matter. Furniture is meant to be touched, explored, and investigated. The walnut bureau bookcase we are sharing today is … Continue reading Opening the Doors of a Walnut Bureau Bookcase
Flashback Friday: Last Summer’s Exhibition, ‘Gilded’
As we prepare for the opening of our summer exhibition, Great Provenances: Exceptional Antiques from Notable Collections, we thought it was fitting to have a brief travel back to last summer when we hosted our exhibition, Gilded: Golden Treasure of Georgian Furniture. For the exhibition last summer, we ran a series entitled 'Anatomy of an Exhibition.' … Continue reading Flashback Friday: Last Summer’s Exhibition, ‘Gilded’
The Hampton Court Chairs: An Exceptional Survival of George I Marquetry
We are delighted to share one of our latest acquisitions that is steeped in history. This superb pair of George I walnut and seaweed marquetry side chairs is attributed to the Royal chairmakers Thomas or Richard Roberts. Each chair features an arched upholstered and close-nailed back and seat and stands on shaped cabriole legs with square … Continue reading The Hampton Court Chairs: An Exceptional Survival of George I Marquetry
The Art of Furniture Encyclopedia: Burr
We recently started a series entitled The Art of Furniture, an online encyclopedia of furniture and decorative arts. In our inaugural post, we looked at Queen Anne and the furniture associated with her reign. Today, we are focusing on a particular material: burr. Top of a Queen Anne Burr Yew Chest of Drawers Mackinnon Fine … Continue reading The Art of Furniture Encyclopedia: Burr
The Tradition of the Torchere
The term torchère comes to us from France and translates to 'torch lamp.' Its purpose is simple (to hold a lamp or light), yet its form is often elaborate and highly decorative. This painting of Medea, the granddaughter of the sun god Helios in Greek mythology, by the Dutch artist Paulus Bor in the 1640s places … Continue reading The Tradition of the Torchere
Exhibition Spotlight: Two George I Gilt Gesso Card Tables
To celebrate the opening of our exhibition today, we are delighted to share details of two outstanding George I gilt gesso card tables. Very few of these, possibly only four, are known to exist today. These tables all share similarities in design and form. Their vocabulary of strap-work, scrolling foliage, and shellwork was first promoted … Continue reading Exhibition Spotlight: Two George I Gilt Gesso Card Tables
The Source 