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NEW: REALLY LOVELY 18TH CENTURY GREEN-PAINTED WINDSOR CHAIR
Just up on the website today is an absolutely charming green-painted (with a little blue also) comb-back Windsor armchair. We love it when we unexpectedly come across a really good Windsor chair - something that doesn't happen too often - and are thrilled to have this unusual example in our stock.
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21/9/2011
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OUR SAMPLERS FEATURE IN HOMES AND ANTIQUES MAGAZINE
Several of our samplers (plus some other pieces from our stock) feature in an interesting and beautifully photographed article by Katherine Sorrell in the October issue of BBC Homes and Antiques magazine.
The article looks at the social and historical context of samplers, as well as describing how they speak of the lives of the women and girls (and, occasionally, boys) who worked them. It also contains useful suggestions on the care of samplers and needlework.
One of the most fascinating things we do when we purchase a sampler is to research, as far as we can, the life of its maker. If we are really lucky (and tenacious), we can learn enough about her to get a strong sense of her life, sometimes on the most slender documentary evidence. Along with enjoying the beauty and charm of the needlework itself, this engaging activity is part of the appeal of sampler collecting.
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16/9/2011
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ARCHIVE: NEW ON WEBSITE ..............
We have just put a number of interesting new pieces on the website. On the Home Page the "Shop Window" item this month is a marvellous tavern table - it's a wonderful find, and we're thrilled to have it available. Amongst other new items, we have a very pleasing small oak centre table and an unusual small oak gateleg - the perfect size and height to place in front of a sofa. There is also something a bit unusual even for us - a large and highly patinated African gourd with incised decoration (SOLD), which we bought because of its striking form and interesting surface.
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15/8/2011
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ARCHIVE: NOW ON THE WEBSITE - A NEW CRICKET TABLE
We have found and sold a number of interesting tables in recent months, including two remarkable cricket tables. Like all the best country pieces, good tables remain very hard to replace once they go out through the door. However, we have recently discovered a really good and untouched primitive cricket, or dairy table, completely in ash, which is a welcome addition to our inventory. It is now on the website.
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5/9/2011
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ARCHIVE: ENGLISH FOLK ART - A PAIR OF NAIVE PAINTINGS
Watch the birdies: In the "Pictures" section of the website is a wonderfully vivid pair of late 19th century English naive paintings of prize racing pigeons, in original frames. These unique examples of English folk art are utterly engaging in their simple one-dimensional directness, and unusual in being both large and a pair.
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17/9/2011
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ARCHIVE - NEW STOCK IS ARRIVING .................
As well as our newly acquired and simply sculptural tavern table seen elsewhere here in the "News" section, in the coming weeks look out for an unusual North Devon country chest of drawers in oak and elm, seen here, a stylishly plain country-made triangular flap table in mahogany (SOLD), and a chunky pair of elm long benches, the perfect match for the large ash dining table already on the website.
PS There are also some lovely smaller items newly up on the website.
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28/6/2011
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ARCHIVE: AN UNEXPECTED IDENTIFICATION OF A MYSTERY ISLAND ...............
SEE OUR VERSION OF THIS PICTURE ON PAGE 5 OF "DECORATIVE OBJECTS"
After watching an interesting television programme yesterday about the little known North Sea island of Heligoland, we thought that it looked a little familiar to us, so sought further information from our trusty friend, Google. What a surprise when we found the image you see on this page. At last we had identified the location of the island scene depicted in an attractive naive painting which decorates the front of a small tin box we bought some time ago. The painting is full of interesting and geographically specific detail, and we had thought it likely that it was a sailor's painting of a scene he was familiar with. Thinking the painting might be Swedish or Danish, we had even sought the advice of Scandinavian experts to try and locate our mysterious island, but with no luck.
It is satisfying to make an identification such as this on a piece of folk art, where the subject often remains unknown. The lovingly detailed painting on this little box is also, no doubt, a very rare mid-19th century picture of this tiny island.
Heligoland, twenty-nine miles off the German coast, was originally Danish, but was acquired by Britain during the Napoleonic Wars, its inhabitants becoming British citizens. From the 1830s, because of its quaint appeal and healthy climate, it became a popular destination for tourists. It was passed to Germany in 1890 in exchange for Zanzibar and other German East African territories. It became an important naval base, and in the Second World War was heavily fortified by the Germans. It was heavily bombed by the British towards the end of the war and, post-1945, what was left above ground was then completely destroyed by the British in a massive explosion which obliterated the complex of underground bunkers used by the Germans.
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1/9/2010
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ARCHIVE: HAPPY NEW YEAR - NEW STOCK ON WEBSITE
A varied group of interesting new pieces has just gone up on the website, so look out for (amongst other things) two very different early 19th century English cricket tables, a stylish French circa 1700 os-de-mouton walnut armchair, a really lovely English "Country Chippendale" armchair also in walnut, an unusual needlework sampler and a naive military portrait with North American interest.
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3/1/2011
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ARCHIVE - AN OAK GATELEG TABLE WITH A DIFFERENCE
A frequently seen type of table is the gateleg table, which can be found in all sizes and at all levels of quality. Most often constructed of oak to a fairly standard design, we will only buy a gateleg if it has something special or different to recommend it.
We have just acquired an early 18th century country gateleg in oak. We like it because of its small size, because it is not the standard oval shape, and because of the attractive turning and unusual design of the base - paired turned legs on a sledge foot. It also has wonderful untouched colour and surface.
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23/8/2011
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ARCHIVE - NEW: STYLISH ENGLISH TAVERN TABLE
Good examples of tavern tables are becoming increasingly difficult to find, and we've been lucky enough to obtain two in the last few months, both through private contacts.
We are pleased to be able to show this very simple and stylish mid-19th century (circa 1840) tavern table, with a long, narrow single plank oak top, cleated all round, over an "X" frame base with high cross-stretcher and two slim angle braces. The very sculptural form of this table is instantly appealing, and makes for a piece of vernacular furniture which serves well as a hall, side, or sofa table, which will look good in both a contemporary or more traditional setting.
English, circa 1840.
Height 29 1/4" (74.3cm)
Width 76" (193cm)
Depth 16 1/4" (41.3cm)
SOLD
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31/5/2011
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ARCHIVE: NEW PUBLICATION:
Publishers Ryland Peters & Small have recently brought out a new book called "PERFECT ENGLISH COTTAGE", in which we (and our furniture!) are one of the featured interiors. The book, initially published in Britain and the USA, is written by Ros Byam Shaw, former features editor of World of Interiors, with lovely photographs by Jan Baldwin. This beautifully illustrated book looks at "cottage style" in the broadest sense, including unexpected urban havens as well as more traditional country interiors. I think that we might fall into the first category!
"Perfect English Cottage" offers a completely new and stimulating look at a style which many people will feel they already know very well. However, the houses chosen for this book illustrate beautifully how varied and imaginative a "cottage interior" can be in the 21st century. Put it this way - there is not much chintz to be seen!
For a small preview of the book, you can see some of the pictures from "Perfect English Cottage" enlivening the various "information" pages on our website. (Copyright Ryland Peters & Small, photographer Jan Baldwin, taken from "Perfect English Cottage" by Ros Byam Shaw)
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25/4/2010
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ARCHIVE: NATIONAL ANTIQUES WEEK -
November 23rd - 30th has been designated as the first "National Antiques Week", with the focus in part being on the "green" credentials of antiques. Buying and using antiques is a form of recycling: buying and enjoying something old (and beautiful) conserves resources and energy.
However, the week is about much more than this, and aims to remind the public of the wonderful long-term investment in beauty and enjoyment that antiques bring. To quote the National Antiques Week press release, "Antique dealers want the public to know that buying antiques is not just the preserve of the wealthy - antiques are affordable, desirable, green, practical, durable and adaptable........."
The first National Antiques Week is coordinated by, amongst others, LAPADA, Online Galleries, BBC Homes and Antiques Magazine and The Antiques Trade Gazette.
CLICK ON "more" to download further information.
NOTE: "Homes and Antiques Magazine" is a partner in the National Antiques Week and the "Antiques Are Green" initiative, and will be covering the subject in the February issue, using our Homepage image to illustrate an article written by Sara Emslie.
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29/10/2009
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ARCHIVE: NEWLY ON THE WEBSITE - THREE LUCKY FINDS
It is always difficult to find interesting and high quality country furniture which really appeals to our taste, so we are thrilled to find three fantastic pieces which have been part of a much-loved private collection until recently.
One is the most amazing large cricket table with a massive top in creamy-coloured burr sycamore; there is also a very unusual early 19th century West Country Windsor armchair with characterful dark green paint; a massive burr elm chopping block on ash stick legs completes the group.
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17/1/2011
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ARCHIVE: MADE BY HAND - Robert Hirschhorn's Eighth Selling Exhibition
ROBERT HIRSCHHORN'S 2009 selling exhibition, his eighth "at home", is entitled "MADE BY HAND", and celebrates the simple beauty and enduring craftsmanship of the beautiful country antiques and unusual period objects that Robert will be showing.
Highly original modern works by two contemporary craftsmen will complement the specially chosen antique pieces, demonstrating beautifully the comfortable "fit" of antique and modern craftsman-made pieces.
PRUE COOPER'S delightful earthenware slip-decorated dishes are meant to be used, and represent friendship, generosity and the sharing of simple pleasures.
Wood turner RICHARD CHAPMAN makes beautiful sculptural wooden bowls and vessels of organic form, whose shape is largely dictated by the wood he is working with at the time.
The antique and contemporary pieces combine beautifully in the calm setting of Robert's 18th century London townhouse.
Robert has collected some wonderful pieces for the show, including a very unusual 10' long trestle table, a stately double-height 18th century corner chair in elm, a pair of early small forms or benches in oak, two particularly good cricket tables, both in elm and ash, a rare late 17th century small table in ash, a lovely late 17th century brass double-socket wall sconce, and a small early 19th century Cornish country candlestand.
The exhibition previews on Tuesday 15th September 2009 from 6.30pm - 9.30pm, and thereafter is open daily through Sunday 20th September, 11.00 am - 8.00pm.
Contact Robert Hirschhorn or John Hall for further details.
020 7703 7443
email Robert Hirschhorn Exhibition
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12/8/2009
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ANTIQUES AND THE ENVIRONMENT
The front page story in this week's Antiques Trade Gazette reports the findings of a new study which compares the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the manufacture and use of antique furniture with its modern manufactured equivalent. The analysis was carried out by Carbon Clear, an independent consultancy specialising in carbon management and carbon accounting.
The study, commissioned by eight leading UK antiques and fine arts organisations, found that a piece of antique furniture is likely to have a carbon footprint 16 times lower than a newly manufactured item. To quote Nigel Worboys, the antiques dealer who initiated the Antiques Are Green campaign, the report "provides further proof that antiques should be recognised for their genuine green hallmark - sustainable, re-usable and re-saleable."
For detailed information about the study, visit the "Antiques Are Green" website - www.antiquesaregreen.org
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15/9/2010
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ARCHIVE: CHRISTMAS EDITION OF BBC HOMES AND ANTIQUES MAGAZINE: ARTICLE ABOUT CANDLESTICKS
The Christmas 2009 edition of BBC HOMES AND ANTIQUES MAGAZINE is available now and, along with many inspirational articles with a Christmas focus, there is a feature on candlesticks which is guaranteed to bring a little warm light into the chilly days of Winter.
Candle light reflecting off the soft golden colour of antique brass brings a special charm to the Christmas table, and a warm intimacy to any room throughout the year. The article is beautifully photographed, and features a group of our mainly 18th century brass candlesticks.
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16/11/2009
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A WONDERFUL NEW ARRIVAL
Just arrived, and now featuring as our "Shop Window" piece, is a really wonderful long dining table, all in beautifully figured ash, which we love because of its simplicity of form and sculptural, practical design. It is completely fresh to the market as it it has been in private hands for more than thirty years and, comfortably seating ten, it is perfect for special occasions and family dining.
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17/1/2011
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ARCHIVE: NEW PUBLICATION:
A seductive new interiors book ("MORE DREAM HOMES") has recently been published, with photographs by Andreas von Einsiedel and text by Johanna Thornycroft.
To quote from the flyleaf ..... "A dream home can mean so many different things: a haven in which to escape and wind down from the trials of a busy working life, a place to hoard and display collections of objects and works of art, a workspace that provides inspiration, or a home-from-home in a favourite location."
Our home is one of the 100 featured in this beautifully produced book and to us is most of the things described above; both home and workspace, and a sympathetic setting for the lovely furniture and objects which we both live with and sell.
More Dream Homes
100 Inspirational Interiors
Andreas von Einsiedel and Johanna Thornycroft
Merrell Publishers
ISBN-13: 978 1 8589 4377 0
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12/5/2009
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ARCHIVE: NEW PUBLICATION:
The May issue of Homes and Antiques Magazine focusses on the versatile beauty of antique country furniture. The photoshoot was recently done here at "Robert Hirschhorn", with lovely photographs by Polly Eltes featuring many examples of our stock. CLICK ON "MORE" TO SEE COMPLETE ARTICLE.
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10/5/2008
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