Latest Stock

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: 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: 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

Stock: 16709

A French gilt and patinated bronze adjustable fender in the Rococo style, the scrolling foliate chenet mounted with bronze putti and the fender bar centred by an urn.

French, c.1900.

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

	Width	Height	Depth
max	57 1⁄8" 145 cms	22" 56 cms	6 1⁄4" 16 cms
min	50 3⁄8" 128 cms

Stock: 16698

A very fine 18th century alabaster copy of the Medici Vase, after the antique. Almost certainly made in Italy for a wealthy Grand Tourist and a faithful copy of one of the most renowned Roman artefacts from Italy.
The origins of the Medici Vase are uncertain, the first record of the vase being in an inventory of the Villa Medici in Rome in 1598. In 1780, it was moved to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
It is particularly significant as it is the only extant Roman krater to not have a Dionysian theme, although the subject remains unclear. It depicts a statue of Apollo Lyricine, who was later restored mistakenly as Diana, with a bare-breasted woman at the foot of the statue, while other figures gaze solemnly towards this scene.
The narrative scene is bordered by a decoration of vine shoots and leaves to the upper portion, whilst the lower portion has phytomorphic, acanthine decoration also carved in low relief. The original vase would have once been brightly decorated, and highlighted in gold.

This version is a good size, and of exceptional quality.

Italian, c.1770.

View our collection of: decorative antiques and furnishings

	Diameter	Height
	16 1⁄8" 41 cms	21 1⁄4" 54 cms

Stock: 8096

A pair of Victorian cast iron bench ends with scrolling foliate decoration on splayed scrolled feet. The top rail and armrests both terminate in griffin-like masks.
We can add a back and seat in teak and paint the ironwork if desired, please contact us for a quote.

English, mid-19th century.

View our collection of: Antique, old vintage fountains, sculptures, garden furniture and statuary

		height	Depth
		32 1⁄2" 82.5 cms	27 5⁄8" 70 cms

Stock: 16721

A fine and large 17th century ebonised ripple mirror. This striking mirror has a wonderful patina, the warmth of the wood just gleaning through the original ebonised finish. This encloses a foxed Mercury plate.
Such a wonderful survival from this period, perhaps originally a picture frame, and later re-purposed as a mirror.

Possibly Italian made for the Dutch market, c.1670.

These frames were thought to have originated in Germany - possibly Nuremberg - and are now most commonly associated with the Dutch 17th century tradition. The frames were in fact often produced in Italy, Spain and Flanders, using both ebony veneer and stained softwood. A machine was developed specifically to create the ripple effect, creating undulations in the wood using a fixed blade on a jig. These frames have become synonymous with the Dutch tradition as they were favoured by artists as they did not detract from the subject, and instead drew the gaze towards it.

View our collection of: Antique mirrors and console tables

	Width	Height	Depth
	34 5⁄8" 88 cms	39 3⁄16" 99.5 cms	3 1⁄8" 8 cms

Stock: 16647

A wonderful Louis XIV fireplace in a beautifully worn limestone. This fireplace is a rare survival from the reign of the Sun King, and conforms to the drama of the Baroque, with a beautifully carved cushion moulding, centred by a cartouche.

French, c.1700.

Please note that the back has been left rough as it was originally set inside a wall, but we can cut this flat for a more modern installation if desired. It would look absolutely wonderful with a Delft tiled interior, or with a boldly cast fireback.

View our collection of: Antique Baroque Chimneypieces inc English, Italian, French, Flemish Bolection fireplace mantels.

	Width	Height	Depth
External	44 1⁄4" 112.4 cms	38 5⁄8" 98 cms	11 5⁄8" 29.5 cms
Internal	31 1⁄2" 80 cms	33 11⁄16" 85.5 cms

Stock: 16646

A dramatic French bolection fireplace in a boldly veined verde antico marble, with a cushion moulding around the opening.
Unlike English bolections, this fireplace has the useful addition of a shelf making it a practical choice when you are looking to decorate a mantelpiece.

French, late 19th century.

View our collection of: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.

	Width	Height	Depth
External	57 1⁄2" 146 cms	42 1⁄2" 107.9 cms	9 11⁄16" 24.6 cms
Internal	41 13⁄16" 106.2 cms	34 13⁄16" 88.5 cms

Stock: 16042

A fine French 18th century Louis XVI gilt gesso mirror, with a beaded slip and trailing leaves decorating the frame. There is a beautifully modelled laurel ribboned garland centred by a quiver of arrows and a trophies of war to the surmount. This detail perhaps alludes to the unrest in France at the end of the 18th century.

French, c.1780.
Original gilding but a later mirror plate.

Provenance: From the estate of the late Marguerite Littman.

View our collection of: Antique mirrors and console tables

	Width	Height
	32 1⁄4" 82 cms	69 13⁄16" 177.2 cms

Stock: 16599

A beautiful 19th century Italianate mirror with Chinoiserie decoration. This unusual mirror has a beautifully bevelled, shaped plate and is enclosed by a lacquered frame, painted with with a charming chinoiserie design and bordered by gilded Rococo flourishes.

English, c.1860.

This mirror is such a useful size, perfect as a hall mirror, a bedroom or even a bathroom mirror!

View our collection of: Antique mirrors and console tables

	Width	Height	Depth
	16 11⁄16" 42.3 cms	29 1⁄8" 74 cms	1 5⁄8" 4 cms

Stock: 6620

A bold and very grand Louis XV Rococo fireplace in a buttery yellow Siena marble. This fireplace is truly a statement piece, with a wonderfully ornate frieze, centred by a mask of Hercules wearing the Nemean lionskin. This cartouche is framed with foliate scrollwork which is echoed on the corners of the panelled frieze, and also on the canted, console jambs.

French, mid-20th century.

Notes: This fireplace was clearly influenced by the Salon de Hercules in The Palace of Versailles. After Antoine Vassé.

View our collection of: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.

	Width	Height	Depth
External	79 1⁄8" 201 cms	51 5⁄8" 131 cms	23 13⁄16" 60.5 cms
Internal	51 11⁄16" 131.3 cms	41 1⁄8" 104.5 cms

Stock: 6613

An exceptional Louis XV Rococo fireplace in dramatically figured breche violette marble of grand proportions. This is perhaps one of the most magnificent French Rococo chimneypieces we have had in our collection. The moulded serpentine shelf rests on the wide frieze, also of serpentine from, and is boldly carved with a central rocaille motif and panels. This carving is echoed in the endblocks, which are mounted above beautifully bold Rococo jambs.

French, 19th century.

View our collection of: Antique Rococo Chimneypieces inc Louis XV English Scottish Chippendale Rococo fireplace mantels.

	Width	Height	Depth
External	79 11⁄16" 202.5 cms	51 3⁄16" 130 cms	15 11⁄16" 40 cms
Internal	59 1⁄8" 150 cms	42 1⁄4" 107.5 cms

Stock: 16632

A fine 18th century giltwood console table. The gilded surface is wonderfully worn, with the warm red bole coming through. The frieze has low relief decoration very much aligned with the Venetian tradition, and this frames the faux marble top (later). The scrolled legs are supported by large baluster feet and united by a scrollwork stretcher embellished with bellflowers.

Northern Italian, c.1700.

The current top, painted in a green faux marble finish, can be replaced with your choice of marble top if desired, although the current top is quite charming and probably 19th century in date.

View our collection of: Antique furniture

	Width	Height	Depth
	37 13⁄16" 96 cms	30 11⁄16" 78 cms	22 3⁄8" 57 cms

Stock: 16693

A pair of large hand-painted Delft vases in blue and white. Painted very much in the Chinese style, these baluster shaped vases are decorated with Chinese style scenes, reminiscent of the British Willow Pattern that emerged in the 18th century, with bridges, pagodas, willow trees and birds painted within vignettes. These are framed by more typically Delft patterns. The covers are topped with seated panthers.

Delft, late 19th century.

View our collection of: decorative antiques and furnishings

	Diameter	Height
	10 5⁄8" 27 cms	22 3⁄8" 57 cms

Stock: 16692

A beautiful 18th century Venetian mirror with original mercury mirror plate. The gilded frame takes a loosely organic form and interprets the French Rococo style, with a rather more traditional frame boldly embellished with the addition of organic c scrolls and foliate flourishes to the edges.

Venetian, c.1760.

View our collection of: Antique mirrors and console tables

	Width	Height	Depth
	31 7⁄8" 81 cms	46 1⁄2" 118 cms	3 7⁄8" 10 cms

Stock: 16402

A very large cast iron urn in the form of the Warwick Vase, after the antique popularised by 18th century collectors. This piece is on a grand scale and woluld make a fantastic statement on a plinth.
Attributed to the Handyside foundry, as illustrated in their catalogue.

English, c.1850

Notes: The Warwick Vase was excavated from Hadrian's Villa at Tivoli in 1771 by Gavin Hamilton, and dates to the second century AD. Hamilton sold the vase to his nephew, the 2nd Earl of Warwick, who built a specially commissioned conservatory in the grounds of Warwick Castle to house it.

View our collection of: decorative antiques and furnishings

	Width	Height	Depth
	33 1⁄2" 85 cms	20 1⁄8" 51 cms	23 3⁄16" 59 cms
Base	14 5⁄8" 37 cms	14 5⁄8" 37 cms

Stock: 16689

A fine and ornate giltwood Louis XVI overmantel mirror profusely decorated with floral swags and sprays of laurel and surmounted by an urnular crest filled with flowers.

French, mid-19th century.

View our collection of: Antique mirrors and console tables

	Width	Height	Depth
	38 13⁄16" 98.5 cms	68 11⁄16" 174.5 cms	3 1⁄2" 9 cms