Pair of faux satinwood painted armchairs
Item no. 67
A pair of elegant beech, caned armchairs, in the classical revival style of the late 19th century (circa 1890-1900). At first glance they appear to be satinwood, reminiscent of the classical revival period of the late 18th century. However, these examples make use of beech wood, and transfer designs to replicate the earlier style. The sinuous arms are steam bent and lend the chairs an elegant flow. Remarkably, after more than a hundred years, the original cane is in excellent condition and the chairs quite sound. Upon examining the chairs, my thoughts turned to a book I purchased way back in 1989, by Florence de Dampierre, titled The Best of Painted Furniture, and lo and behold, on page 107, is a matching example of this very pair, right down to the central medallion depicting putti and the green painted foliage. The example cited was from the collection of Sir Geoffrey Shakerley (d. 2012). Certainly, they are light, balanced and soothing to look at. Delicate, with clean lines, they are even comfortable. They show some wear consistent with age and use.
Height 83.5cm – seat width 51.5cm – seat depth 44.5cm
Sold
Mid-18th century chest of drawers
Item no. 77
Very attractive mid-18th century (circa 1760) mahogany chest with good colour and patina. Consisting of four long drawers, original handles and locks and raised escutcheons, this piece sits on flat bracket feet, which have been raised a couple of centimetres. The lovely flame mahogany veneer on top is fully three millimetres thick, no doubt hand cut, with Chippendale style moulding. The chest presented with a plywood back from a previous restoration, which has now been replaced with 19th century panelling. This restoration has renewed a previous effort at setting the rear panelling further back, thus providing more space for drawers to close into. It is a problem that occurs when chest side panels shrink considerably over time and where drawers were built very close to the back. Nonetheless, the drawers still close a little proud of the front.
Height 94cm – width 105cm – depth 54.5cm
Sold
Japanese toilet mirror
Item no. 56
Japanese ash toilet mirror, circa 1900, with four drawers. Swing bevelled mirror is readily detachable using a sliding dovetail joint. Elegant proportions, pleasant mid-tone colour with fretted design. Drawers are lined in kiri wood (paulownia).
SOLD
1920s French oak filing cabinet
Item no. 34
French deco period oak filing cabinet c. 1920s-30s. Two sections of vertical shelving with well-functioning tambour door for each section, which lowers out of site into the base. Working locks on both doors. Elegant and functional, with clean lines and light colour suiting the modern office.
Height 180 cm – depth 39 cm – width 82 cm
Sold
Japanese merchant’s chest
Item no. 65
Antique Japanese merchant’s office chest (Choba Dansu) circa 1880 in Sugi wood (Japanese cedar) and Hinoki (Japanese cypress) comprising seven drawers and sliding-door compartment. An early alteration has seen the removal of a lower right door concealing two recessed drawers. One original drawer has been brought forward and the one below it is a replacement. Repairs have been made to the top panel. The robust handles are in the ‘leech’ style (Hirute) and the overall cabinet possesses a rich, deep patina. Rather than a single ledger drawer at the top, this piece has two smaller drawers. Would serve as a very attractive sideboard.
Height: 94cm Width: 98cm Depth: 50cm
SOLD
Tansu chest
Item no. 48
A petite tansu chest in cryptomeria wood (sugi), probably last quarter of the nineteenth century (early Meiji period, possibly late Edo) with a well-worn attractive patina. The chest has seven drawers, two of which are recessed and would have originally had a vertical locking bar, now lost. The handles are leech pattern (hirute) in iron. At a height of 63cm, it would be most useful as a bedside cabinet or side cabinet.
Height 63cm; depth 32.5cm (including handles); width 67.5cm
Price: SOLD
Pair of 19th century oak stools
Item no. 49
These joined oak stools are both characterful and versatile. Made in the early 19th century as copies of early 18th century stools, the pegged mortise and tenon joints ensure a sturdy construction.
Base: 40cm x 35cm, height 44cm
Price: SOLD
Mid-century dining suite in teak
Item no. 61
Solid teak mid-century dining suite, circa 1965-70, including table with removable top and 6 armchairs which fit neatly under the table rail. Unusually, and typically found in much earlier Georgian pieces, the table and chairs have been constructed using hand-cut, pegged mortise and tenon joints. The maker is Albert & Co. of Maradana, Colombo, Sri Lanka, as indicated by the maker’s label on every item in the suite. This explains the use of solid teak in the table, teak being native to the region. The top, which has light wear consistent with age, simply lifts off for ease of transport. The chairs have largely been dismantled and rebuilt, as well as the table base, and so are now in excellent, stable condition. The drop-in seats are covered in a durable moquette, most likely original, and also well-maintained. The existing finish has been retained and the whole suite freshened up with a wax. It’s not often that a dining suite possesses more than a couple of arm chairs, so to have all six, and be able to push them under the table, is a real bonus for comfort and functionality, as well as adding overall strength to the chairs.
The purchaser of the suite will be given first option to purchase a companion sideboard, which also bears the maker’s label and is yet to be restored (price as yet undetermined).
Table height: 76cm Width: 91cm Length: 182cm
Chair height: 80cm Seat depth: 45.5cm Width at front rail between arm uprights: 40cm
SOLD
George III mahogany wine table
Item no. 64
Substantial, elegant George III circa 1780 tilt-top mahogany wine table. Good faded patina and pleasing proportions. The top is a single board with a half-bullnose edge and functioning tilt catch, enabling the table to be put to one side when not in use while still showing off its attractive top.
Diameter 74.5cm; height 69cm
SOLD
Chippendale Period Tea/Card Table – c. 1770
Item no. 26
Chippendale period fold-over tea/card table in mahogany. Latter half of the 18th century, possibly as early as the 1760s, this charming table has a frieze cross-banded in thick mahogany veneer and the legs are square-moulded and chamfered. The table possesses a rich patina and deep colour. Seems to have lived long and hard. The single gate leg is a 19th century replacement. The table has been restored structurally and given a shellac/wax finish.
With top open, it measures 90 x 85 cm
Height 72cm – Depth 42.5 cm
SOLD
Restored furniture for sale – Previous page 1