Always ask an expert
Lydia Wood
A big part of being an antique dealer is purchasing and appraising stock and I handle a huge variety of items from furniture to collectables, artwork, porcelain, glass and silver and gold. I’m always very happy to share my expertise and I love to learn and expand my own knowledge but it’s concerning how frequently I am now hearing “I’ve looked it up and
Google says …” or “I’ve seen the same one online…” and more often than not, their findings are not accurate.
I’ve never really rated the internet in terms of researching antiques and certainly not for valuing them. Whilst Google might be useful in identifying a Victorian dining chair it cannot easily spot a reproduction and it certainly cannot assess the condition which is one of the most important factors when it comes to value. An antique dealer can tell if any repairs have been made and assess if something has been refinished and even if two entirely different pieces have been married together. We can tell if a sofa has it’s original horsehair stuffing below new covers or whether it has been replaced with
foam. We can test the purity of gold and silver, measure diamonds and check hallmarks. We can identify different woods and tell solid wood from veneer and this allows us to provide an accurate and realistic valuation.
Even with the increasing prevalence of AI and searches like Google Lens, I still don’t think the internet can compete with first hand knowledge and experience gained and shared over a life time of buying and selling. My bookshelf at home is full of reference books and one of my favourite is ‘The English Regional Chair’ - 511 pages filled with hundreds of detailed photos and drawings covering the in depth development, region by region, of countless styles of chairs from all over England. This kind of knowledge simply cannot be found online.
So if you have got something at home that you want to find out more about don't be afraid to get in touch or drop into the shop and we'll be happy to advise.
I was reminded of the glamour of the Art Deco period when I bought this beautiful silver dressing table box. It dates from 1934 and would have sat proudly on a ladies dressing table containing creams, powders or perhaps jewellery. It is made from sterling silver with a Guilloché enamel lid in a typically Art Deco fan shaped design. Guilloché enamel is a decorative technique, particularly popular in the early 20th Century, that combines engine turned metal engraving with transparent enamel to create shimmering, patterned surfaces. First, a skilled craftsmen makes the engraved pattern which creates tiny ridges and grooves that catch and reflect the light. Then a layer of transparent vitreous enamel is applied over the engraved metal and fired in a kiln. The enamel melts into a smooth, glass-like coating while remaining transparent enough for the engraved pattern underneath to show through. Fan shaped patterns like this are typical but I’ve also seen sunbursts, waves and circles. This complex technique results in the most beautiful shimmering surface whilst also adding colour and pattern. The precision engraving and enamel firing both require great skill, making Guilloché enamel expensive and sought after. Some of the most famous examples were produced by Faberge and are seen on their eggs and jewellery.
Given that it’s one of the oldest games in the world, it’s not surprising that I come across a fair few antique chess sets. They are most commonly made from wood although other materials such as glass, bone and even china are sometimes used. Good quality wooden sets are turned and carved from ebony and boxwood to provide the black and white pieces rather than having to be painted. The best sets usually have weighted bases which makes them nicer to hold and move. Jaques of London are considered to be one of the finest makers of chess sets and they are still going strong today. Jaques introduced the Staunton Pattern chess set in 1849 which is one of the most common designs that a lot of modern chess sets are based on. It’s hard to believe that before this there was no universal standard and chess sets varied wildly in design. The Staunton chess pieces got their name following the endorsement received from their namesake and world-renowned chess player Howard Staunton. Staunton was a top player of the 1840s as well as a writer and promoter of chess and he would play with these sets in tournaments and at other events. Over nearly 200 years the basic patented design has not changed and Jaques have made them in various different materials and sizes for players and clubs all over the world. Antique chess sets can be very collectable and a good Victorian Jaques chess set and board can be worth thousands!
Different regions of the country, whether that be England and Wales or right down to individual towns and counties, produced antiques that were often very specific to that area, shaped by the local traditions, history and available materials. With a long history of farming and mining, it’s no surprise that the Westcountry produced a lot of beautiful country furniture but another piece of striking Westcountry design is Troika Pottery. It has a rich history rooted in Cornwall, founded in St Ives in 1962 by three people Leslie Illsley (a sculptor), Jan Thompson (an architect) and Benny Sirota (a potter). The name “Troika” actually comes from the Russian word for “a group of three”, reflecting the three founders. The pottery was open until 1983 and Troika pieces are very recognisable because of their modernist, almost architectural look which draws influence from the different backgrounds of the founders. Troika pieces often use angular or geometric shapes and have heavy thick walls with rough textured surfaces decorated in abstract designs, sometimes resembling the chimneys of the Cornish tin mines This large piece is called a Double Base vase because of its shape and shows typical Troika colours and designs. Troika is very popular with collectors and some rare pieces can be very valuable. Condition is important and genuine pieces will always be signed to the base.
It’s easy to imagine how people lived in days gone by - what they wore, what they ate and the type of things they did - but we often forget when we are watching period dramas or looking at old paintings that odour was a real problem. Soap and hot running water were not readily available hundreds of years ago, clothes were not washed frequently and sewage ran through the streets! The only way to ensure you were smelling fragrant was to douse yourself in perfume or carry a pomander! A pomander is a small, often decorative object that was historically used to hold pleasant smelling substances like herbs, spices or perfume. This example has small holes all around it to allow the fragrant smell out - a bit like a portable air freshener! It would have been filled with aromatic materials such as cloves or ambergris and either worn around the neck or carried. This example dates from the late 1800s and has been turned and carved entirely from a Coquilla nut - the hard brown, egg shaped fruit of the Brazilian palm tree. Due to its very dense texture, rich colour and ability to take a fine polish it was highly popular in the 18th and 19th century for creating miniature carvings, snuff boxes, buttons, sewing items, and jewellery.
We're very excited to share that Lydia will be starring in the new Channel 4 series "The Antiques Riviera" for More 4. Devon isn't just home to beautiful beaches - it also boasts a thriving antique scene. This enlightening 6-part series follows the dealers, collectors and auctioneers of the Riviera as they meet people wanting to sell their treasures. The series promises antiques, ambition and a dash of rivalry where the stakes are high and the shelves never stay full for long! It's not only entertaining but also a useful insight into what dealers want - and what they'll pay for it.
I recently bought a large collection of old fishing reels dating from the early to mid 1900s. It was a varied collection including everything from wooden sea fishing reels to spinning reels and fly and salmon reels. The collection itself came in a lovely old fishing basket, called a ‘Creel’. These were traditionally made of wicker, willow, or split reed and were used by anglers to hold caught fish. The design allowed air to circulate which kept the fish cool and creels themselves can be quite collectable now. Fishing is actually a favourite past time of mine and there is no better way to spend a few hours than sat on a sunny river or lake bank with a rod. There’s a good collector’s market for antique and vintage fishing tackle and it is one of the few collector’s items that you could actually still use - from the old split cane rods to collections of hand-tied salmon flies and beautiful lures. I know that some people even favour the older equipment over today’s modern equivalents. Not only can it be usable but the old reels in particular make very decorative display objects and are collected for their rarity too. One name I always look out for is “Hardy”. Hardy Bros are one of the most well known and most respected manufacturers when it comes to fishing reels and fishing tackle. They were founded in 1872 in Alnwick by brothers William Hardy and John James Hardy. They were originally gunsmiths but began producing fishing tackle using the same meticulous workmanship and quickly became leaders in the field. They introduced many new features that soon became industry standards. So confident in their designs they released what they called the “Perfect” Reel in 1891. It featured a smooth ball-bearing race for the spool, providing unmatched smoothness and its basic design remains in production today!
The 21st of October is known to some as Trafalgar Day because it marks the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar which took place in 1805. This year will be 220 years since this historic battle which saw The Royal Navy, under the command of Admiral Lord Nelson, defeat the combined fleets of France and Spain. Tragically, Nelson was shot and killed during the battle, but on his death he became a national hero and a symbol of British naval strength and sacrifice. The scale of mourning was unprecedented with songs, poems, memorials and artworks created to celebrate him. Nelson’s influence was so profound that it even gave rise to the ‘Trafalgar Chair’! Trafalgar chairs are a specific style of chair that emerged in early 19th-century Britain, named in honour of Lord Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar. They typically have an open curved backrest with a central horizontal bar and sabre splayed legs that curve outwards. Despite the name, Trafalgar chairs are not military chairs, nor were they used in the battle itself. Rather, they became popular in British homes as a show of patriotism following the victory. I’ve had various examples of Trafalgar chairs over the years and I love the way that they epitomise the elegance of Regency furniture but also reflect the national pride of the early 1800s. It’s also a good example of how furniture design has been influenced by historical events over the centuries. The design of the splayed legs, whilst elegant and attractive, were sometimes weak and vulnerable to damage so there is good demand for period examples of Trafalgar chairs that have survived in good condition .
If you want to know how to tell whether a chair is good quality and has been well made, there’s a very easy way to find out - simply sit in it! I always say a good chair will be comfortable. You know something has been properly made when you sit in it and you don’t want to get out of it! Everything from the shape and the design to the upholstery has been carefully thought out and skilfully constructed. You’ll feel supported and the shape will feel natural with no sharp edges or awkward protruding angles. This theory was put to the test and proved true again this week when I bought this leather lounge chair with matching footstool. It is a very recognisable design first introduced by Charles and Ray Eames in 1956 in America. The chair was inspired by the traditional English club chair and Charles wanted the chair to have "the warm, receptive look of a well-used first baseman’s mitt”. From those original designs the chair has gone on to be produced to this very day and has been seen in magazines, studios and film sets across the world. This particular chair was made later than the original but has been made in the same style and to the same high quality standards. It’s not strictly an antique but, like I’ve said before, there are some pieces which are such iconic designs that I can’t resist buying them. The great thing with these timeless pieces is that they can be mixed so effortlessly with any interior, modern or classic, and they never seem to look out of place.
No two days are ever the same in this business. The pressure to keep the shop full of new and interesting items means I’m always hunting down fresh stock - following up leads, visiting trusted contacts and making new ones. This takes me far and wide and this week I’ve been travelling through Wales where I was able to buy a fabulous collection of Welsh Blankets. Sheep farming and the wool industry has shaped Wales’s economy for centuries and the production of blankets can be traced back to the 12th Century! Originally made at home on a small loom, the industry grew in the 18th and 19th centuries when commercial mills were established. A particular feature of Welsh blankets is the woven double cloth technique which produces a pattern on both sides, making the blankets reversible. Each region and indeed each mill had their own distinctive patterns, some of which were carefully passed down through generations. For example, the Caernarfon pattern is one of the most iconic and traditional with its geometric design featuring a series of interlocking portcullises, usually created with two to four colours. Plaid Blankets were a popular design and colours became more bold over time with the introduction of synthetic dyes. Traditionally, a pair of Welsh blankets were given as a wedding gift and they were believed to capture the feeling of ‘Hiraeth’, a Welsh word for homesickness and longing for home. Queen Victoria was even gifted a Welsh blanket on her wedding day in 1840! At its peak there were more than 300 mills in Wales producing Welsh blankets but the industry almost disappeared in the 20th century and now just a handful of mills remain. However they are continuing this important tradition and the Welsh blanket maintains its cultural significance as well as being a very collectable, usable and decorative item.
The antiques world is full of jargon - from cabriole legs to ogee feet and dentil cornices to boule work - it can be difficult to get your head around some of the vocabulary! I’ve gotten used to the lingo over the years and some of words can actually be found when talking about architecture or buildings and tend to describe different styles of moulding or decorative shapes. However I realised recently, whilst talking to a customer about a bachelor’s chest and seeing their look of confusion, that perhaps not everyone is as familiar with the terminology as I am so I thought it might be useful to cover a few common terms. To begin with, a bachelor’s chest refers to a small sized chest of drawers, usually dating from the Georgian period. What particularly makes it a bachelors chest and not just an ordinary chest of drawers is the brushing slide - which is another great piece of terminology in itself! A brushing slide is the flat shelf that pulls out from the top of the chest and was simply used for brushing your clothes. An odd notion now perhaps, but if you were a bachelor in the 1800s and did not have a wife to brush your clothes for you, you would have to do it yourself. This shelf meant that your clothes could be laid out and brushed to remove dirt, hair and debris before getting dressed - all very useful for a Georgian gent long before the days of hoovers! This bachelor’s chest also has cock beading - another favourite phrase! Cock beading refers to the narrow strip of wood, usually rounded or slightly moulded, which is applied around the edge of a drawer front. It has two main purposes - both aesthetic and functional. The cock beading adds depth and elegance to the drawer front enhancing its appearance but it also helps to protect the veneer on the edge of the drawer from chipping. It was time consuming to produce and required a lot of skill from the cabinet maker so it is a good sign of quality. Cock beading can be useful when trying to date a piece of furniture because it was particularly used on pieces dating between the mid 18th and mid 19th Century. This chest also has escutcheons which refer to the metal plates fitted around keyholes. Some are set discreetly into the keyhole to protect the edges from chipping and some sit around it to act as decorative features as well. They are most commonly made from brass and usually match the style of the handles. Of course it’s not necessary to speak the lingo to enjoy buying antiques. It’s interesting to learn some different terms and maybe you’ll be able to name a few features on pieces you already own but don’t be intimidated if you don’t know your parquetry from your stringing! I’m always happy to share my knowledge and answer any questions and even now I’m still learning new things!