Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn

It is the last day of August, and it feels like an appropriate time to say 'goodbye' to summer. This image of the top of our rare George I gilt gesso card table features a magnificent flower head surrounded by acanthus leaves and other flowering foliage - the epitome of summer! This summer we have …

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When Cabinet-Makers Unite: A Love Story

We may not know a great deal about the day to day lives of 18th century cabinet-makers, but there is one (romantic!) story that deserves attention. The renowned cabinet-maker Giles Grendey (who we have discussed here and here), had seven children: Mary, Elizabeth, Mary (another one), another daughter, Sukey, and Sam. Sukey went on to …

The Age of Walnut Exhibition Spotlight: A George I Burr Walnut Bureau Cabinet

A George I Burr Walnut Bureau Cabinet attributed to the Master of the Royal Portuguese CabinetsMackinnon Fine Furniture Today we are sharing another spotlight from our summer exhibition, The Age of Walnut. This superb George I burr walnut bureau cabinet is attributed to the Master of the Portuguese Royal Cabinets. The cabinet is veneered in …

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 …

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.  …

Elegant & Chic: A Pair of Two Tier Tables with Coloured Stones

We have recently acquired this fantastic pair of two tier tables, each featuring a collection of coloured stones. The tops of each table are inset with the coloured stones on a gilded surface and mounted in craquelure painted frames.  The lower shelves are decorated with gilding and craquelure surrounds.  The brass frames feature pinecone finials …

Designer Spotlight: Sophie Ashby of Studio Ashby

Our next Designer Spotlight, Sophie Ashby of Studio Ashby, has a fascinating background.  Sophie grew up between South Africa and the UK, and at the young age of 25 she set up her interior design practice.  Sophie's projects reflect her personality with an eye for incorporating art throughout her interiors, whether it be traditional or …

Flashback Friday: The Grosvenor House Art & Antiques Fair

Today we are taking a step back in time to look at one of London's most storied and renowned art fairs, the Grosvenor House Art & Antiques Fair. The Grosvenor House Art & Antiques Fair was founded in 1934 and became a highlight of the London art world until 2009.  The art fair ran every …

Classicism at its Finest: A George III Mahogany Armchair

Today we are sharing a marvellous specimen chair: the quality of the carving is quite magnificent, and the mahogany is of the most wonderful colour.  The distinctive carving of the anthemion, or honeysuckle, on the back splat is a hallmark of the neo-classical movement that was used by Robert Adam, James Wyatt, and other notable …

A Triumph of English Design: The Bachelors Chest

English antique furniture has long been admired by collectors for its exceptional craftsmanship and design.  In addition to this general admiration, there are specific pieces of English furniture that have become iconic, and one of them is the bachelors chest.  Bachelors chests first appeared in the latter half of the 17th century.  These chests are …