Последние Антиквариат

Stock: 6627

It is hard to overstate the importance of this chimneypiece. Carved in a fine-grained limestone around 1750 by the most successful architect of 18th century Britain, it is a rare relic of a body of work that has otherwise been lost to time. The research undertaken suggests this grand chimneypiece was once in the dining room of 36 Lincoln’s Inn, one of two grand houses designed by the architect on this street. This building was demolished in 1859, whilst number 35 was lost in the blitz.

The design of this chimneypiece would have perfectly suited a dining room, impressive in scale, with Bacchus at the centre and grapevines carved in high relief along the frieze and jambs. In the Survey of London in 1912 there is a record for a remarkably similar stone chimneypiece of this style in the basement of 35 Lincoln’s Inn, having been moved from the principal room when the building was reconfigured for office use. As the properties were designed as a pair, it is conceivable, and indeed extremely likely that these chimneypieces were too.

Few recognise the name of this great architect despite the fame and wealth he enjoyed during his lifetime - which surpassed that of his peers we so revere today - figures such as Robert Adam, Sir John Soane and William Kent. With the recent scholarship of architectural historians such as Marcus Binney and Christopher Hussey, Robert Taylor and his work has come into focus once more.

Robert Taylor came to architecture from sculpture. This is evident in his work which was so full of life, and a departure from the stark Palladianism which had gripped Britain in the decades before him. An apprentice of Henry Cheere, who held positions such as the Sculptor of Oxford University and Carver for Westminster Abbey during his long career, his understanding of the Rococo would have been learnt from his master, who had embraced the lightness of the style in a number of funerary monuments and indeed chimneypieces commissioned across England.

Taylor was born into his career, as his father was a stonemason who sponsored his son from a young age. His father funded his apprenticeship to Cheere, and also a trip to Rome, but sadly died soon after, forcing his son to return to London, penniless and seeking a career in stone carving. He did just that, and flourished within not only monumental masonry, but as an architect, working on projects such as the Bank of England and stately homes; he was also appointed architect of the King’s Works in 1769. His style developed from his sculpture into architecture, where he introduced a light, organic quality that he had learnt from Cheere during his education in stone.

The English Rococo style was merely a fleeting moment in Georgian England, perhaps due to the great marketing prowess of the Adam Brothers, who built and filled homes of varying status with their interpretation of neo-classicism. This popular new style proliferated through their design treatise, entitled, ‘Works in Architecture’, published over three volumes, cementing the brothers as the tastemakers of Georgian Britain. Taylor published no such volume, and instead sought commissions that were financially rewarding. This was starkly opposed to the Adam brother’s enthusiasm for grand redevelopment projects and large bank loans, which would ultimately lead to their demise.

Ultimately, Taylor’s practice was so successful that on his death, he left an estate of £180,000 — in contrast, William Kent left £10,000, James Gibbs £25,000, and Christopher Wren £50,000. Sadly, much of his architectural output is now lost, destroyed as a result of WWII bombings, demolition and redevelopment. As a result, his name faded into relative obscurity in the years following his death, and his legacy and reputation has only come to light in recent years.

If you wish to read more about this spectacular chimneypiece and its designer, please send us an email and we would be delighted to send you the relevant publication.

View our collection of: Antique English Regency chimneypieces inc. George IV fireplace mantels.

	Width	Height	Depth
External	88 5⁄8" 225 cms	67 11⁄16" 172 cms	11 13⁄16" 30 cms
Internal	61 5⁄8" 156.5 cms	50" 127 cms

Stock: 16524

A good pair of late 17th century Louis XIV andirons with globular baluster finials decorated with an elaborate knotwork pattern in the Islamic style, over marmoset masks and Romanesque dolphin supports.

French, 17th century.

Please note, back irons, whilst not present, are included in the price and can be manufactured to your desired dimensions in our workshops. The andirons can be paired with swan's nest baskets, which come in a variety of sizes.

View our collection of: Antique Andirons, Fire Dogs, Alare and Chenets

	Width	Height	Depth
	10 1⁄4" 26.2 cms	18 1⁄2" 47 cms	5 1⁄8" 13 cms

Stock: 16691

A fine French fireback in the Renaissance Revival style. This cast iron fireback is cast with a central cartouche depicting Venus, and is bordered by Renaissance style foliate scrollwork and two female terms holding drapery.

French, late 18th century. View our collection of: antique Firebacks

Stock: 16690

A rare French fireback. Finely cast, this fireback almost certainly dates to the Revolutionary period, with laurel sprigs bordering the central design. These leaves were associated with Napoleon, who wore a gold crown modelled as a laurel wreath for his coronation in 1804, but used the leaves for many decorative schemes before this date, due to their long association with victory.
The central scene depicts an allegorical figure, possibly the French symbol of liberty, equality and liberty, 'Marianne'. Her helmet bears a striking resemblance to the Phrygian cap associated with the Revolution, and it appears to be studded with the French Revolutionary cockade, a rosette with the colours of the tricolor.

A fireback such as this would have been an explicit show of support for the Revolutionary movement, and therefore a bold political statement in the centre of the home.

French, c.1800. View our collection of: antique Firebacks

Stock: 16627

A fine Georgian wine cooler in mahogany and bounded in brass. The cooler is of coopered cylindrical form, and the lid encloses the original divided interior. There is a drainage spigot in brass and the whole is raised on three reeded legs.

English, c.1780.

View our collection of: Antique furniture

	Diameter	Height
	13 13⁄16" 35 cms	24 13⁄16" 63 cms

Stock: 16715

A pair of finely painted Japanese vases with covers. The vases are hand-painted with a high degree of naturalism, with vignettes of landscapes bordered by floral decoration on a blue ground, highlighted in gilt. The covers are mounted with foo dog finials. Japanese, Meiji period (late 19th century).

View our collection of: decorative antiques and furnishings

	Diameter	Height
	7 1⁄2" 19 cms	13 13⁄16" 35 cms

Stock: 16380

A fine Georgian serpentine fronted fire basket in brass. The pictorial fireback has a pedimented surmount and possibly depicts Perseus battling the sea monster. The four barred grate is mounted with concave brass spandrels engraved with swagged urns. There is a fine apron with a pierced Greek key and scrollwork design; the whole supported on tapered brass legs with urn finials which are also engraved.

English, c.1760.

Awaiting restoration. View our collection of: Antique fire grates and log baskets.

	Width	Height	Depth
	31 1⁄8" 79 cms	37" 94 cms	17 1⁄4" 44 cms

Stock: 16244

A simple and elegant bolection fireplace in a soft beige fossiliferous limestone. The perfect addition to a contemporary or period interior.

Awaiting further photographs and restoration. English, c.1930.

	width	height	depth
External	58 1⁄8" 147.5 cms	48 3⁄16" 122.5 cms	3 1⁄2" 9 cms
internal	44 1⁄2" 113 cms	41 1⁄2" 105.5 cms

Stock: 15283

A small and Victorian cast iron fire grate, with a lion mask to the backplate.

English, late 19th century. View our collection of: Antique fire grates and log baskets.

	Width	Height	Depth
	22" 56 cms	20 3⁄16" 51.2 cms	11 3⁄8" 29 cms

Stock: 16274

A small and charming cast iron Aesthetic Movement fire basket, with a diamond registration mark for 1880. The pedimented back is cast with a foliate design and centred by a sunburst, whilst the apron is cast with sprigs of laurel.

English, 1880. View our collection of: Antique fire grates and log baskets.

	Width	Height	Depth
	20" 50.7 cms	31" 78.8 cms	13" 33 cms
Back width	17" 43.3 cms

Stock: 16601

An elegant Gothic Revival fireplace in black slate. This fireplace has a wide moulded shelf, which rests over a frieze carved with a gothic lobed lancet shape. The is framed by endblocks mounted with black shields, over jambs carved with the same lancet motif.

English, c.1860.

View our collection of: Antique Victorian, William IV and Edwardian fireplaces and chimneypieces.

	Width	Height	Depth
External	61" 155 cms	47 5⁄8" 121 cms	10 3⁄16" 26 cms
Internal	36" 91.5 cms	38 1⁄8" 96.9 cms

Stock: 16687

A rare 17th century crewelwork wall hanging of superb quality. This panel is meticulously hand embroidered in worsted 'crewl' wool with the 'tree of life' decoration, which was enormously popular in this period.

This hanging still has its original backing, which has been professionally conserved, lined, and fitted with a hanging rod. It is likely that it once part of a set of bed hangings.

A brief history of crewel work:

The Bayeaux Tapestry is the earliest extant example of this embroidery technique, which was at the time of its manufacture - the 11th century - peculiar to Britain. The scene spans over 230 feet in length and was intended to be viewed as a continuous narrative. It is certainly one of the grandest works of embroidery of the medieval period.
However, it was centuries later that crewelwork gained great popularity in the domestic sphere, popularised by Elizabeth I, who was a great patron of the arts. It was also under her rule that the British East India Company was founded in 1600, and it saw the arrival of colourful palampores and chintzes from India, which hugely influenced the designs for crewelwork, with stylised leaves and exotic flowers being used more frequently after this period.

In the Jacobean period, this passion for crewelwork of this style was evident in almost every affluent home, where panels were used as bed hangings, curtains and door drapes.

The popularity for crewelwork endured until the early 19th century, when machine made embroideries emerged.

	Width	Height	Depth
	59 13⁄16" 152 cms	80 1⁄4" 204 cms	0 3⁄8" 1 cms

Stock: 15905

A small Belgian fireplace in the Baroque style. The moulded shelf is highlighted with a band of inlaid Sarrancolin marble, and this rests over the frieze which is mounted with lozenge tablets in the same marble. The whole is supported on generous corbel jambs and the opening is bordered by a slender slip in Sarrancolin.

Belgian, late 19th century.

Link to: Antique Baroque Chimneypieces inc English, Italian, French, Flemish Bolection fireplace mantels.

	Width	Height	Depth
External	57 1⁄8" 145 cms	55 7⁄8" 142 cms	22 3⁄8" 57 cms
Internal

Stock: 16722

A large and magnificent bust of Ares in plaster, after the 2nd century Roman marble of the Imperial Era, known as the Borghese Ares. This marble is thought to be a copy of the rare Greek bronze by Alkamenes, dated to the 5th century BC.
The identification of the figure as Ares has been challenged, some thinking the statue could possibly be Achilles. However, numerous ancient Roman replicas of the Ares have survived, and this conforms to the type. It has also been proposed that the sculpture was an object of Augustan propaganda, casting Augustus's heir and grandson Gaius as 'The New Ares'.

Our plaster model is possibly by Brucciani & Co. or a similar workshop.

Italian, mid-19th century.

View our collection of: Antique sculptures, carvings, bronzes, plaques and tablets

	Width	Height	Depth
	22 3⁄8" 57 cms	33 1⁄8" 84 cms	18 1⁄8" 46 cms

Stock: 16607

A Victorian brass fender of excellent quality, with a reeded decoration to both the rails and the curb.

English, c.1880.

View our collection of: Antique Fenders, Firescreens and Nursery Guards

	Width	Height	Depth
	54 1⁄4" 138 cms	6 11⁄16" 17 cms	15" 38 cms

Stock: 6615

A very large and grand Gothic Revival fireplace in a warm hued Caen limestone, the wide frieze carved with quatrefoil panels above a Tudor arch opening with foliate spandrels incorporating the date 1843. The jambs are decorated with more Gothic tracery.

English, 1843.

View our collection of: Antique Renaissance, Gothic Tudor Fireplace mantels and Chimneypieces: 1260 - 1600

	Width	Height	Depth
External	87" 221 cms	60 5⁄8" 154 cms	12" 30.4 cms
Internal	51" 129.6 cms	43 1⁄2" 110.5 cms

Stock: 16681

A large pair of 17th century andirons from France, of baluster form with large brass globe finials, supported on scrolled wrought iron feet.

French, late 17th century

Please note, we have left these andirons unpolished to retain the patina, but should you want them polished, do let us know.

View our collection of: Antique Andirons, Fire Dogs, Alare and Chenets

	Width	Height	Depth
	13" 33 cms	23 3⁄16" 59 cms	17 11⁄16" 45 cms

Stock: 16680

An exceptional pair of French Renaissance andirons, constructed from wrought iron scrollwork, the uprights mounted with turned brass balusters. Made during the reign of Henry IV of France, these andirons are a rare survival. French, c.1600.

Please note, we have left these andirons unpolished to retain the patina, but should you want them polished, do let us know.

View our collection of: Antique Andirons, Fire Dogs, Alare and Chenets

	Width	Height	Depth
	12" 30.5 cms	28" 71 cms	24 13⁄16" 63 cms

Stock: 15979

A fine set of neoclassical fire tools in brass, with their original rests, the set topped by urnular finials.

English, late 19th century.

View our collection of: Antique Firetools.

	Width	Height	Depth
Firetools	4 1⁄4" 11 cms	26 3⁄8" 67 cms	4 1⁄4" 11 cms
Rests	7 1⁄4" 18.5 cms	11 13⁄16" 30 cms

Stock: 16718

A very large single Imari ribbed baluster porcelain vase decorated in blue underglaze and hand-painted in red and gold with butterflies and flowering scrolls in medallions, fans and peonies, the handle forming a lotus bud.
Japanese, late 19th century.

View our collection of: decorative antiques and furnishings

	Diameter	Height
	12 5⁄8" 32 cms	24 13⁄16" 63 cms

Stock: 6624

A small, low and charming Victorian arched fireplace in the Egyptian Revival style. This beautiful chimneypiece is carved from pure white statuary marble and has a moulded shelf which is supported by Egyptian palm capital pilasters. This is centred by moulded spandrels and a shell keystone.
The height of this piece suggests it might once have been installed underneath a window, or perhaps just a very tall overmantel! Perfect for a room with a limited ceiling height.

English, c.1840.

View our collection of: Antique Victorian, William IV and Edwardian fireplaces and chimneypieces.

	Width	Height	Depth
External	70" 177.8 cms	37 3⁄16" 94.5 cms	13 3⁄8" 34 cms
Internal	35" 89 cms	30 1⁄2" 77.5 cms

Stock: 15927

A robust Tudor Revival fireplace in a warm hued limestone, constructed from substantial blocks of stone. The opening is bordered by crisply carved spandrels.

English, c.1860.

Note: This fireplace is intended to be set into the wall, perhaps surrounded by panelling or a fireplace...but would look wonderful surround by plaster too.

View our collection of: Antique Renaissance, Gothic Tudor Fireplace mantels and Chimneypieces: 1260 - 1600

	Width	Height	Depth
External	56 1⁄8" 142.5 cms	44 1⁄8" 112 cms	6 1⁄8" 15.5 cms
Internal	31 7⁄8" 81 cms	32 1⁄8" 81.5 cms

Stock: 16638

A fine and large Grand Tour Bronze, traditionally thought to depict Narcissus, after a bronze discovered at Pompeii in 1862. The figure has been identified as both Bacchus and Narcissus, the former has been suggested as the position of the hand might have indicated that he once held a bunch of grapes.
The sculpture was almost certainly produced by the Fonderia Sommer, which was known to produce bronzes that replicated the antique finish seen on the original artefacts.

Italian, c.1870.

Notes: The Sommer Foundry was one of the main Neopolitan foundries that manufactured Grand Tour bronzes for the grand-tourists of the nineteenth-century. Giorgio Sommer was a German photographer and artisan and started the foundry in the 1870s.

View our collection of: Antique sculptures, carvings, bronzes, plaques and tablets

	Base diameter	Height
	10" 25.5 cms	25 5⁄8" 65 cms

Stock: 16667

A very fine William and Mary chest on stand, in a rare combination of burr ash and burr yew. The chest has a cross grained moulded cornice above two short and three long graduated drawers, the drawers in burr ash, crossbanded in yew. The pear drop handles are original, as are the pierced and engraved escutcheons, mounted over the original locks. The sides are grained pine, in line with furniture of this date.
The chest is mounted on its original stand fitted with three drawers, with an ogeed line to the frieze in burr elm. The cupped and turned legs and stretchers are a later replacement.

English, c.1690.

Awaiting restoration.

Notes: In the late 17th century, fine veneered furniture of this type had grown in popularity enormously. Whilst the wealthiest homes would often have had lacquered furniture, mercantile and landowning homes had chests with fine veneers. During both the reigns of William and Anne, war had impacted the economy and the mercantile class to such an extent that the market for fine furniture had dwindled enormously, so furniture of this quality is rare.

View our collection of: Antique furniture

	Width	Height	Depth
	39 3⁄8" 100 cms	61 3⁄8" 156 cms	22" 56 cms

Stock: 16209

A large and grand Renaissance Revival fire basket in cast iron. The ornate shaped back is centred by a mask cartouche which looms over the generous basket with log spikes mounted on the front bars, to prevent logs rolling out. This is supported by substantial andirons.
A statement piece for a large fireplace.

English, circa 1850.

View our collection of: Antique fire grates and log baskets.

	Width	Height	Depth
	37 13⁄16" 96 cms	34 1⁄4" 87 cms	21" 53.3 cms
Back width	34 1⁄8" 86.5 cms

Stock: 16626

A charming early 18th century Japanese Arita porcelain baluster vase and cover, the cover surmounted with a cockerel, such a charming addition to a beautiful vase. The body of the vase is sparsely decorated with flowers and trellis work in blue and red.

Japan, c.1700.

View our collection of: decorative antiques and furnishings

	Diameter	Height
	7 7⁄8" 20 cms	15 3⁄8" 39 cms

Stock: 16676

A late Victorian cast iron 'Nautilus' fire basket with brass finials and front mounts, designed by James Petter for the Nautilus Stove Co. circa 1881, makers plate to verso No.3561.
This lovely grate is cast with Aesthetic Movement motifs and mounted with wheels for ease of movement. The name was based on the internal shape of the Nautilus shell by means of which the fumes and smoke are circulated in a chamber before being drawn out through the flue, thus achieving greater efficiency than more traditional designs.

English, circa 1880.

FROM FIRE BASKETS TO HELICOPTERS, VIA MOUNT EVEREST.

The earliest incarnation of the Nautilus stove company, makers of kitchen ranges and fire grates, was founded by John Petter in 1865, when he bought an ironmonger's business in Yeovil, Somerset as a present for his son James Bazeley Petter, upon his marriage to Charlotte Branscombe. A few years later James expanded the business when he bought Yeovil Foundry and went into partnership with the manager Henry. F. Edger. Around 1881 James founded the Nautilus stove company and in 1882 he exhibited his Nautilus grate in the Smoke Abatement exhibition in Manchester. Queen Victoria had these fire grates installed in both Osborne house and Balmoral castle; after this demand grew substantially.

The Nautilus grate was first manufactured in a building known as the Rink in Hendford, so named as it was formerly a skating rink, later becoming known as the Nautilus grate works, before the company moved to a purpose-built factory in Reckleford.
The company also dabbled with steam and electric road vehicles. Percy Petter took the first car to London in 1896, it was basically a horse drawn carriage with an engine, known as the horseless carriage. The car division however was not a great success financially and after not winning a thousand guinea prize in a national competition in 1897, they closed the car division and concentrated on the production of their oil engines, such as the Petters 'Handy Man'; these were exported all over the world.
Lesser known is the use of some of their larger engines to light Yeovil before the advent of the National Grid.

In 1913 the company bought land to build a new foundry which became one of the largest in the country. After war broke out in 1914 the Petters offered their manufacturing resources to the government and in 1917 they supplied the admiralty with "Short 184" float planes; part of this went on to become the Westland aircraft branch of the business. Two biplanes built by Westland were the first to fly over the summit of mount Everest on the 3rd of April 1933. A modified Westland PV-3 Registration G-ACAZ and a PV-6 prototype Westland Wallace bomber, registration G-ACBR. The Petters continued to make oil engines until 1937 when they were taken over by Associated British Engines Ltd. The Westland part of the business went on to become one of the world's most successful helicopter manufacturers.

View our collection of: Antique fire grates and log baskets.

	Width	Height	Depth
	20 1⁄4" 51.5 cms	28" 71 cms	21 7⁄8" 55.5 cms

Stock: 16710

A large and dramatic Reformed Gothic fire basket in cast iron. The most eye catching feature is without doubt the fireback, cast with a dragon being engulfed by flames. This is mounted over a generous basket with a fret apron and supported by andirons terminating in a trefoil style finial.

English, late 19th century.

Provenance: Property from the estate of the late David Cornwell, best known as the author John le Carré.

Awaiting restoration.

View our collection of: Antique fire grates and log baskets.

	Width	Height	Depth
	39 3⁄8" 100 cms	33 11⁄16" 85.7 cms	20 1⁄8" 51 cms

Stock: 16706

A gilt-bronze Louis XVI style adjustable fender of excellent quality, the chenet in the form of twin-handled ribboned urns, the central bar centred by a ribbon-tied cartouche.

French, c.1900.

View our collection of: Antique Fenders, Firescreens and Nursery Guards

	Width	Height	Depth
max	53 1⁄2" 136 cms	14 5⁄8" 37 cms	5 1⁄8" 13 cms
min	36 5⁄8" 93 cms

Stock: 16719

A pair of fine patinated bronze volute kraters after the antique. The theme of both vases is one of offering to the gods, and this is cast in low relief and bordered by palmette motifs. The handles of the kraters terminate in swan's heads as they join the vase.

Italian, early 19th century.

View our collection of: decorative antiques and furnishings

	Width	Height	Depth
	11 1⁄2" 29.3 cms	21 1⁄8" 53.5 cms	9 1⁄8" 23 cms

Stock: 16683

A large quartered oak and bronze bound log bin, with drop handles and a makers' label for R A Lister & Co.

English, circa 1930.

R. A. Lister and company was founded by Robert Ashton Lister (1845-1927) in 1867 in Dursley, Gloucestershire. The company produced a wide range of agricultural machinery and in 1897 the Dursley Pedersen cycle. In 1909 the company introduced its first petrol engine into its range of products; these versatile engines became the mainstay of the company until it introduced a range of diesel engines in 1929. These were used to power electric generators, pumps and Listers' other newly introduced products such as its sheep shearing machines. Such was the demand for its products that in 1909 its Victoria works had to be extended.

Robert Aston Lister took a keen interest in the wellbeing of his workforce, for example he closed the whole works in 1910 and chartered a train to take his workers for a day out at the seaside at Weston-Super-Mare; this trip was to be repeated on several occasions in the following years. Over time the company diversified further to produced among other things Rail Auto trucks, dairy equipment and wooden products like butter churns, pales, log bins and the classic Teak park bench. Now Lister-Petter, the company concentrates on Diesel engines and generators, the sheep shearing business is now a separate company. Although the production of many of R.A.Listers models ceased many years ago many are still in daily use all over the world.

View our collection of: other antique accessories

	diameter	height
	18" 45.7 cms	17 7⁄8" 45.5 cms

Stock: 16673

An extraordinarily fine and large George II pier mirror in the manner of Thomas Johnson (1723-1778). The giltwood frame is finely carved, embracing the asymmetry of the Rococo style, with c scrolls, rocaille, waterfalls and acanthine motifs, surmounted by a ho-ho bird. This exquisite frame encloses the original plate, which has been later re-silvered, but you will notice the undulations of the original plate.

English, c.1760.

Please note that the backboards were likely replaced when the mirror plate was re-silvered. Awaiting further research.

View our collection of: Antique mirrors and console tables

	Width	Height	Depth
	28 11⁄16" 73 cms	67 1⁄8" 170.5 cms	4 11⁄16" 12 cms

Stock: 16657

A large Regency Period convex wall mirror, having a reeded ebony border and applied ball decoration, within an ornate gilt gesso surround modelled as scrolling acanthus leaves.

English, c.1820.

View our collection of: Antique mirrors and console tables

	Width	Height	Depth
	29 7⁄8" 76 cms	49 13⁄16" 126.5 cms	3 1⁄4" 8.5 cms

Stock: 16579

A large, boldly carved Victorian corbel fireplace in a pencil statuary marble. The generous moulded shelf rests over a plain frieze, and is supported by bold panelled and acanthus corbels, over plain jambs.

English, c.1860.

View our collection of: Antique Victorian, William IV and Edwardian fireplaces and chimneypieces.

	Width	Height	Depth
External	74" 188 cms	47 5⁄8" 121 cms	12 3⁄16" 31 cms
Internal	38 3⁄16" 97 cms	38 1⁄4" 97.3 cms

Stock: 16711

A charming A George IV burr oak writing table, the hinged top with a blue tooled leather writing surface above a dummy drawer. The interior is fitted with the original blue satin top for letter storage, with pen holders to the sides. This is supported on turned, tapered legs. Perfect as a lamp table.

Provenance: The Estate of Jill and Michael Barrington.

View our collection of: Antique furniture

	Width	Height	Depth
	21 1⁄8" 53.5 cms	29 1⁄8" 74 cms	15" 38 cms