Innholdsfortegnelse for Special 2019 i Homes & Antiques

It is my pleasure to welcome you once more to the annual H&A Art Issue! This year we have turned our gaze to the contemporary art scene because, as Lead Curator at Artfinder Alice Phillimore says, ‘It has never been so easy to discover and buy affordable contemporary art.’ And, as the colours and simple lines can pair so beautifully against antique pieces, we asked Velimir Ilic to compile the H&A Guide to Contemporary Art (from page 90). In it, he gives us the names to know, curates a gallery of artworks to suit every taste, and reveals how to style new art alongside our treasured heirlooms. The styling inspiration doesn’t end there: all of our homes this month belong to artists or the art-obsessed, and showcase new ways to…

Technicolour Interiors What a glorious and eclectic selection of homes featured in June’s edition of H&A! I particularly enjoyed the articles about the builders’ yard in London and the 1950s semi in Somerset, whose owners had been able to turn their properties into vibrant and artistic homes without spending the earth. Such creativity – it would be lovely if there were more homes of similar ilk in future editions. Mary-Jane McCann, via email Sitting Comfortably I like the new column by Jay Blades. I especially like his picture in the June issue as he is sitting in a G Plan chair. We have two of these (plus a footstool) and have had them re-covered twice. They are so comfortable. I love The Repair Shop and it would be great to…

Allow writer and photographer Tom Harford Thompson to take you on a tour of creative spaces, from an eco treehouse to a reclaimed factory. (£24.95, Thames & Hudson) A true coffee table investment, Interiors: The Greatest Rooms of the Century explores 400 world-renowned rooms and the experts who designed them. (£59.95, Phaidon) Expressive and individual: The Alchemy of Things steps inside 15 whimsical homes belonging to creatives from around the globe. (£30, Murdoch Books)…

I’m often interested in lesser-known artists – they are the ones doing things that haven’t been seen before When I’m looking at art, there are a few things that draw me in: colour, movement and texture are vital, but it also needs to be doing something different and exciting. That’s why I often find I’m interested in lesser-known artists – they are the ones doing things that haven’t been seen before. For instance, when I first saw the work of fine art photographer Alyson Fennell, it took my breath away because there was such great colour and a real sense of movement in her images. I’d not seen anything like it before. I’m always drawn to static objects that have some motion in them – I love to get a…

Nearly 40 years ago, when artist Salle Werner Vaughn first discovered the railworkers’ houses of Magnolia Grove in Houston, Texas, they were in danger of being swallowed up by the relentless sprawl of the city. The long-abandoned wooden houses, much like Russian dachas in appearance, sat all but forgotten in overgrown gardens, shaded by live oaks and pecan trees. The neighbourhood was established in the 1880s by German immigrants working on the construction of the new railway that linked the interior to the burgeoning port of Galveston. The area, known as a frontier district, was situated way out of town, and the land had been divided into small plots on which the workers could build houses for themselves and their families. With hurricanes a regular occurrence from June to November,…

The quickest glance at artist Debbie George’s paintings tells you this is a woman who loves collecting. Antique nurseryware cups, mochaware, Rye pottery, Ravilious Wedgwood vases, Victorian commemorative mugs are all there, bursting with flowers and set against landscapes or wallpapers, which are themselves inspired by anything from vintage curtains to foxed book covers. It’s a huge delight then – if no great surprise – to find all these treasures, and much more besides, beautifully displayed in the Yorkshire home that Debbie shares with her husband Andrew, a photographer. ‘I was brought up with collecting,’ she says, sitting at the scrubbed pine kitchen table bought at a nearby antiques shop. ‘My granny was a doctor and her house was filled with paintings, cabinets of books, ceramics and stuffed animals –…

Clare Durham at Woolley & Wallis on why now is a good time to cash in… In the pottery market, buyers are looking for wares from the 18th century and earlier. English slipware – such as this c1700 Staffordshire honeypot (below), which recently sold for £4,750 – and good examples of delftware are selling well, especially more unusual shapes and vessels. German stoneware is also finding collectors – this early 18th-century Westerwald stoneware jug (right) sold for £3,500 at a ceramics sale this year. While the dollar is strong against the pound, there’s a good deal of American interest in these items.…

In the latter 1700s an economic disaster hit Sweden. Drought and famine ravaged the landscape, forcing rural farmers to abandon their dying crops and move to Stockholm in search of work. While there, many of them turned to the craft of clock making to earn a crust – a skill they took back to their villages once the hard time had passed. Although they continued to farm throughout the summer, in the winter – when the ground was too hard to plough – the farmers returned to making clocks. And in Mora, a city in Sweden’s Dalarna province, it was a craft that flourished. ‘Clock making was a communal effort,’ Richard says. ‘The local carpenter would build the body, the farmer would create the mechanism and then someone would paint…

Worth its salt In your September 1996 issue, you featured blue-and-white striped Cornishware on the front cover. It was described as ‘the new collectable’. I recently found an interesting item – a container with ‘SALT’ on the front. It has the TG Green ‘shield’ mark on the base, so could date from the 1920s. A hole at the top of the container shows it was designed to be hung up. Two smaller holes each side indicate it might be missing a lid. I would like more information about it, and to know its value. J Winn, Scotland The TG Green range of Cornishware is still widely collected today, with examples regularly turning up at auction. Production began in the mid 1920s, with the UK factory only closing as recently as…

1. Pugilist Packs a Punch Estimate £150-£200 Sold £700 In the 19th century, before the introduction of the Queensberry rules in 1867, bare-knuckle boxing was a staple of the fairground, with boxing booths travelling on circuits such as Lancashire, the Midlands, the West Country, and London. The unknown pugilist immortalised in this oil painting wears the Lonsdale colours – the yellow associated with the 5th Earl of Lonsdale, a famously sporting gentleman of the Victorian era with the soubriquet of the Yellow Earl. He established the Lonsdale Belt in 1909, the oldest boxing championship in Britain and this artwork, sold at Tennants recently, soared way above its estimate, perhaps because of that association. The picture is charmingly naïve in style, painted in a simple way by an artist with…

British Art Fair This year’s British Art Fair coincides with Frieze Week, bringing the country’s greatest artists to the widest international audience from 3rd to 6th October. Over 50 specialist dealers will exhibit artworks and sculptures representing key artistic movements of the past 100 years. Major 20th and 21st-century artists such as Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Grayson Perry and David Hockney will feature. Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Rd, London, SW3 4RY. 11am-7pm (closes 9pm Thursday and 6pm Sunday). £20. 020 3856 6969; britishartfair.co.uk…

2-FOR-1 26th-28th July Galloway Antiques & Fine Art Fair, George Watson’s College, Edinburgh, EH10 5EG. 10.30am-5pm. £5-£6. 01423 522122; gallowayfairs.co.uk 2-FOR-1 27th-28th July Burford Antiques Fair, Burford School, Cheltenham Road, Burford, Oxfordshire, OX18 4PL. 10am-5pm. £3. 07961 371961; twocsantiquesfairs.co.uk 2-FOR-1 2nd-4th August Galloway Antiques & Fine Art Fair, Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 9PZ. 10.30am-5pm. £5-£6. 01423 522122; gallowayfairs.co.uk 2-FOR-FREE 2nd-4th August The Cotswolds Decorative, Antiques and Art Fair, Westonbirt School, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8QG. 11am-5pm. £5. 01278 784912; cooperevents.com 2-FOR-FREE 6th-8th September Petersfield Antiques Fair, Festival Hall, Heath Road, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 4EA. 10.30am-5pm. £3.50. 01825 744074; penman-fairs.co.uk 2-FOR-FREE 11th-13th October The Chester Decorative Antiques & Art Fair, The County Grandstand, Chester Racecourse, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 2LY. 11am-5pm. £5. 01278 784912; cooperevents.com 2-FOR-FREE 1st-3rd November The Pavilions of Harrogate…

A Agapanthus Interiors 0161 429 9710; agapanthusinteriors.com The Alleyways Antiques Centre bridportantiques.co.uk Alternative Flooring 01264 335111; alternativeflooring.com Alyson Fennell alysonfennellphotography.com Amy Perry Antiques 01666 500354; amyperryantiques.co.uk Andrew Dando 01225 865444; andrewdando.co.uk Anne Fowler 01666 504043; annefowler.co.uk Annie Sloan 01865 770061; anniesloan.com Anthropologie anthropologie.com The Antique Kitchen 07831 389843; thehoarde.com Appleby Antiques 01760 441829; thehoarde.com Artfinder 0800 133 7434; artfinder.com Artsy artsy.net B Bauwerk Colour bauwerkcolour.co.uk Bentleys 020 7730 6832; bentleyslondon.com Beyond France 07710 148915; beyondfrance.co.uk The Biscuit Factory 0191 261 1103; thebiscuitfactory.com Brownrigg 01666 500887; brownrigg-interiors.co.uk Brunschwig & Fils brunschwig.com C Caiger Contemporary Art 07828 513885; caigerart.com Catchpole & Rye 020 7351 0940; catchpoleandrye.com Cave Decorative Arts 020 7221 3700; cavedecorativearts.com Chaplins 020 8421 1779; chaplins.co.uk Chelsea Textiles 020 7584 0111; chelseatextiles.com Chloe Cyphus Antiques 07977 127862; chloeantiques.com Chris Gordon…

In terms of viewing or appreciating contemporary art, most of us generally know what we like. But when it comes to actually buying art, that’s a whole different story. There are various reasons for making an acquisition – investment, the thrill of collecting, buying as a gift, or to decorate your home. But where do you begin? How do you know whether or not an artist is worth collecting? Or whether a piece is ‘good’? You could tie yourself up in knots before you’ve even properly started. Breathe easy – ultimately, there’s no right or wrong way to go about this, but there are some considerations worth thinking about to help you get the best from your art-buying experience. So, just what is ‘contemporary art’? And is it the same…

Painted in the open air, rather than in a studio – impressionism was a revolutionary movement. Also originating in France, in the mid-1860s, and depicting landscapes and everyday urban outdoor life – painted in the open air, rather than in a studio – impressionism was a revolutionary movement characterised by loose expressive brushstrokes, bright colours and the potent effects of light. Trailblazing French painters such as Monet, Degas, Renoir and Manet (whose racy and enigmatic 1863 work, Le déjeuner sur l’herbe, ‘Luncheon on the grass’ still polarises critics today) adopted the style. Its influence can be seen in the work of many contemporary impressionists, who use similar techniques. Georgian-born artist Serguei Zlenko, for example, whose In The Garden painting (below) beautifully replicates the falling of late evening light on the…

Abstract art is often viewed as a departure from reality and has spawned a myriad of sub-genres. At its core, abstract art isn’t easy to define. Playing around with form, scale and different materials and textures, it is often viewed as a departure from reality and, historically, has spawned a myriad of sub-genres. Early 20th-century Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky is credited as one of the first abstract artists, but the movement has veered from German expressionism and cubism to abstract expressionism in the 1950s (spearheaded by American painters such as Pollock and Rothko), and beyond. Today, having morphed and expanded into ever-bolder and more experimental realms, contemporary abstract art continues to be visually powerful and diverse, and with a huge array of work available to buy online and at auction,…

COLOUR HAPPY If I owned this palette, I’d spend so much time happily wondering what the painter had created with it. …AND RELAX This inviting armchair looks like it would make the perfect spot to unwind with your favourite mag (wink). RIPE PICKING I find this photo-realistic painting truly mesmerising: I could get lost in its detail for hours. OWL HAVE THIS One of the sweetest collecting areas we’ve covered in a while is nursery ware, and I adore this owl plate. WATCH THE CLOCK This incredible timepiece is an Angermanlandsbrud – a Mora clock designed to look like a bride.…

the COLLABORATION LUKE EDWARD HALL X SVENSKT TENN Artist and designer Luke Edward Hall has a passion for colour – something he shares with his new collaborative partner, Svenskt Tenn. Luke has drawn upon his love of antiquities – think sculpture, columns and arrows – to create a quirky collection of homewares, available online and in the Svenskt Tenn Stockholm store. Prices start from €40 for a painted serving tray. svenskttenn.se the COLLECTION NAIVE SHAPES FROM MURALS WALLPAPER When artist Henri Matisse created his later découpage masterpieces, he often chose to cut figures directly from paper – snipping into the colour until he achieved the desired shape. Echoing this childlike creative freedom, Murals Wallpaper has brought out a range of abstract wallpaper designs featuring unusual shapes in soft, earthy tones.…

You may think this bold and colourful print was created by hand, but it was actually made using a Risograph: a kind of photocopier designed in 1980s Japan that’s now beloved by modern artists. On select evenings throughout the year, you can now visit independent London printers Hato Press for a night of riso-printing, mark-making and collaging. Suitable for complete beginners through to printing experts, workshops cost just £45 each, and attendees can take home 10 A3 colour prints of their own design. You’ll also get the chance to see behind the scenes at a working printing studio and seek advice from professional printers. 020 7729 5585; hatopress.net…

QUEEN VICTORIA’S PALACE From 20th July until 29th Sept, celebrate Queen Victoria’s 200th birthday with this special exhibition at Buckingham Palace. rct.uk EDINBURGH ART FESTIVAL From 25th July-25th Aug, the Scottish capital’s galleries, museums and artistic spaces are awash with fresh creative talent. edinburghartfestival.com ROB RYAN: SCULPTURE 001 Until 28th July at The Old Bank Vault, London see an intricate 9ft-tall model of a volcano by the acclaimed paper-cutter. robryanstudio.com…

Salle Werner Vaughn is an artist, and it is clear that her Magnolia Grove home is one of her canvases. Does this resonate with you? Everyone’s home should represent their personality. That’s how we should measure the success of an interior design scheme. It’s clear that Salle loves her home – it’s joyful and confident and interesting, like her painting and her fashion sense. When it comes to period properties, do you like to remain true to the historic palette of the era of the building, or do you prefer to experiment? It depends more on the homeowner and their taste and style than the home itself. It’s satisfying to reflect some history in your palette, and then subvert it with something anachronistic. Historically, colour palettes did tend to be…

GILTY PLEASURE Tarnished gilt and foxed glass are musts in a mirror. French 19th-century Louis Philippe gilt mirror, £995, Agapanthus Interiors. TAKE A SEAT A worn leather armchair combines comfort and character. Early 20th-century leather armchair, £695 for the pair, DS Decorative Periods. GOT IT COVERED The jewel-rich colours and intricate designs of an antique rug add luxury to any room. Azerbaijan rug (c1920), £1,200, Rugs of London. LIGHT FANTASTIC For a small-scale shot of glamour, invest in a pair of ornate sconces. French Louis XV-style ormolu sconces (c1880), £650, Ebury Trading.…

Art is in my blood. My father was a director at Sotheby’s and ran the Early British Picture department. At university, I sold Roman coins at the Oxford Antiques Centre. After graduating, I became a graduate trainee at Sotheby’s. Aged 25, I decided to try my hand at becoming an independent art dealer, specialising in British paintings and drawings of the 19th and 20th centuries. I started in a small way, working from my parents’ home and, 18 years on, I’ve just got my first gallery space in Mason’s Yard, St James’s. I have a large stock of art, from drawings by lesser-known artists that cost as little as £100, to paintings by Edward Burne-Jones, Walter Sickert and Augustus John, which can go for £80,000 and above. I divide my…

With their soft patina and curved form, Mora clocks are the embodiment of romantic Gustavian design, and are hugely popular among collectors in both the UK and the USA. But how did these ornate timepieces – crafted by rural farmers to supplement their income – become the ultimate cottage industry and find themselves in Sweden’s grandest homes? It all comes down to craftsmanship… A FAMILY AFFAIR If you were a well-to-do family in 18th or 19th-century Sweden, a handmade Mora clock (named after the area from which they originated) was the ultimate status symbol. It would sit proudly in a hallway or living space, and the whole family would gather on a Sunday evening to wind the mechanism. And then, when the time came, this important household item would be…

ALL WHITE NOW The soft patina and rough finish of an antique Mora clock is part of the appeal, and also means that it lends itself perfectly to a pared-back scheme of white, beige and cream. A flourishing plant lends an organic touch. TRADITIONAL TOUCHES Mostly crafted during the late 18th century, Swedish Mora clocks look striking alongside antiques from a similar era. In this restored German farmhouse, a decorative clock sits beside antique serveware and a worn Gustavian table. CREATE A DISPLAY Make a decorative statement at home by positioning an antique Mora clock beside a gallery-wall-style display of timepieces from different eras. Just keep an hour spare for turning all of the clocks back in the autumn… PAIR WITH PATTERN Tetbury-based antiques dealer Lorfords has a regular stock…

When well looked after, a leather surface will become richer in hue and texture with each passing year. Gentleness is the overriding rule of thumb. Dust once a week or fortnight to keep old leather in tip-top condition. Use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to get into the nooks and crannies, then rub a slightly damp cloth over the surface in a gentle circular motion. When you have wiped the surface, dry with a soft cloth – keep your chair away from direct sunlight and don’t be tempted to use a hairdryer. Once a month, apply a sparing amount of specialist leather cream and then buff with a clean, soft cloth. Don’t use furniture polish, anything containing silicone or wet wipes. Spillages should be dabbed dry using a…

GATES OF PARADISE Italian Renaissance sculptor Lorenzo Ghiberti designed this set of doors in 1452 comprising 10 cast bronze panels with scenes from the Old Testament. RAPE OF A SABINE Another Renaissance masterpiece, Giambologna’s creation demonstrates the importance of three-dimensional realism. CHEVAL TURC This powerful 19th-century bronze is by France’s undisputed master animalier sculptor, Antoine-Louis Barye (1795-1875). LES GIRLS A magnificent art deco group of five Ballet Russes dancers into which sculptor Chiparus has captured the energy and vitality of the interwar era.…

PORCELAIN PERFECTION Dating to around 1740, this hand-decorated Meissen teacup and saucer illustrates why antique porcelain made by the German factory is so renowned. Estimate £600-£800 ON DISPLAY With acanthus scrolling and floral crests, this rococo revival easel dates to the mid 19th century and makes a romantic perch for a favourite painting. Estimate £500-£700 SALE WITH A STORY In the 1920s, the War Relief Toy Works in Stoke Newington enabled injured First World War soldiers to make toys, such as this ark, to aid rehabilitation. Estimate £100-£200…

I live in a Victorian house in Edinburgh. It was built in 1897, at the end of a terrace in pale sandstone with a small walled garden at the back. Beyond our garden walls is an area of woodland inhabited by woodpeckers, owls and foxes. From the top floor I can see the Pentland Hills beyond. It’s the perfect mix of urban and rural living. While I love the clarity and restraint of a minimalist interior, I’m definitely a maximalist – there’s no fighting it. I collect a lot of prints, paintings and old ceramics. I’m always on the lookout for natural finds on my walks; they pile up on shelves and window sills, many of which will work their way into my prints and paintings. The colour palette at…

CHRIS GORDON Based in Wiltshire, Chris’s work encompasses lino cuts, screen printing, collage and pen drawings. Check out his illustrations of independent record shops, depicted in typically painstaking detail. ELEONORA SHER A graduate of London’s prestigious Central Saint Martins art school, Eleonora works mostly with photography and textiles, exploring human identity and attachment to ‘place’, often to beguiling effect. STEVE BURDEN Inspired by his upbringing in London’s ‘urban jungle’, Steve is gaining significant attention for his powerful, dark-hued paintings, depicting a brutalist-edged dystopia and the ‘turmoil of the streets’. ROSA LUETCHFORD Forgotten female artists are the subject of fine art graduate Rosa’s characterful paintings, immortalising and celebrating women in the role of muse, and as engaging protagonists in their own right.…

Characterised by a beguiling, childlike simplicity that shuns established fine art codes. Typically created by artists who had no formal training, naïve art – along with folk/outsider/ faux-naïf art – is broadly characterised by a beguiling, childlike simplicity that shuns established fine art codes. Undoubtedly the great master of the form was Henri Rousseau (1844-1910), a self-taught painter nicknamed ‘Le Douanier’ (the customs officer). Along with fellow French painters Camille Bombois and Séraphine de Senlis, Rousseau has been a huge influence on subsequent generations of naïve and avant-garde artists. Eminent Croatian naïve artists including Ivan Generalic are often mentioned in the same breath, too. If you’re a fan of that whole ‘unschooled’ aesthetic, you’ll no doubt be charmed by modern naïve exemplars such as Tal R or Daphne Stephenson. …you’ll…

Surrealism is the free expression of the unconscious mind. Influenced by the radical Dada movement of the early 20th century, and founded in 1924 by French writer and poet André Breton (author of the Surrealist Manifesto), surrealism, in its artistic form, is essentially the free expression of the unconscious mind – of dreams – encapsulating a sort of ‘no filter’ approach. From the mind-bending depictions of Salvador Dalí and the more abstract leanings of Joan Miró, right through to modern-day heirs including Casey Weldon, Mark Ryden and Jaco Putker, surrealist artists have always adapted the medium to suit their own style. From playful paintings and absurdist collages, to avant-garde photographs and wonderfully unpredictable juxtapositions, it’s a genre that continues to thrive. …you’ll love these…

Becki Clark illustrated ‘Material Matters: Bronze’ A specialist in surface design, hand lettering and editorial illustration, Becki works with a range of mediums from watercolour to digital. She finds inspiration in the New Forest, where she lives. ’I adore Yayoi Kusama. She works mostly in sculpture but also produces poetry, film, fashion and more. Since first seeing her work at the Tate I have been continually interested in and inspired by her art.’ Angie Lewin spoke to Rachel Nott in ‘My Style Story’ Angie studied her craft of printmaking in London, and today creates limited-edition prints, taking inspiration from plant forms seen against the sea and sky of north Norfolk and the Scottish Highlands. ‘I love Paul Morrison’s graphic, monochrome artworks. His landscapes emphasise the sculptural and the…

Classic in every sense of the word, this collection of made-to-order seats from antiques specialist Howe is designed to blend effortlessly with an interior of any age or style. Using as a muse one of Britain’s most iconic historic chairs, the Panel Back Windsor is crafted by hand from oak and elm, with a butter-soft leather back for added comfort and personality. The seats pictured are finished in Poppy and Ink leather, and cost £1,740 each. 020 7730 7987; howelondon.com…

The sixth offering in a boutique chain of restaurants with rooms, The Pig in Kent is a countryside escape with good food and quirky decor at its core. The main house is a Grade II-listed building, which in the 1970s played host to raucous parties and Led Zeppelin gigs. Today it is a velvety maze of cosy snugs and sitting rooms, packed with antique furniture and accessories. Stay in the main house, the Coach House, family lodges or The Barn. Feeling adventurous? Choose to hunker down in one of seven Hop Pickers’ Huts along the river. Doubles start from £145 a night, and guests can indulge in relaxing spa treatments and suppers made with produce from the kitchen garden. 01227 830208; thepighotel.com…

Start with the bare bones – floors should be distressed and worn, whether they are wooden boards or terracotta tiles. It’s about weathered materials that look like they have a story to tell. I’d take up the carpets and cover wooden boards with rugs. For walls, worn plaster is very popular at the moment. There are lots of lovely eco-friendly colour washes for use over lime plaster, so walls will have the appearance of having faded over time – Bauwerk Colour, Earthborn and Edward Bulmer are all good brands to explore. Wood panelling can be added very easily, whether in the form of tongue and groove from your local DIY store or proper panelling from The English Panelling Company, whose designs range from Jacobean to Edwardian. For furniture, think key…

Master maker Though brown furniture is generally very affordable, high-quality Georgian pieces can go through the roof. This late 18th-century carved octagonal mahogany tripod table, attributed to the celebrated British cabinetmaker Thomas Chippendale, was estimated at £12,000-£18,000 but sold for a whopping £30,000 at The Pedestal’s recent Fine Interiors sale. The small George III table, 79cm wide and 71cm high, has characteristics associated with a group of documented tables supplied by Thomas Chippendale’s workshop. The buyer, too, must have felt that the table was the real thing to bid this high. thepedestal.com SMOKING HOT Though the habit of smoking is on the way out, the accessories that went with it are becoming more collectable. Matthew Barton’s last sale at Olympia Auctions included some elegant cigarette cases – the most valuable…

On 15th November 2017, Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi shattered all existing art records when it sold for $450.3m at Christie’s New York. Interchange, a c1955 oil by Dutch-American artist Willem de Kooning, previously held the record for highest price paid for a painting when it went for $300m in 2015. Paul Cézanne’s The Card Players series made waves in the salesroom. One of the five paintings was sold to the royal family of Qatar for around $250m in 2011.…

CUCKOO The first description of the cuckoo clock – developed in the Black Forest area of south-west Germany – dates to 1629. GRANDFATHER The pendulum clock, originally created in the mid-to-late-1600s, didn’t adopt its name until 1876 after a popular song. SKELETON Highly intricate and technical, skeleton clocks first appeared in France during the late-1700s. CARRIAGE Designed for telling the time while travelling, the first carriage clock was created for Napoleon Bonaparte in 1812. SWISS RAILWAY Crafted in 1944 by Hans Hilfiker for use by Swiss Federal Railways, this industrial design has become a national icon.…

‘The key thing about Mora clocks is the mechanism,’ explains Richard. ‘They’re fairly basic in form, but often complicated for clocksmiths to work with – so it can cost between £350 and £500 to get an original mechanism working again.’ However, an original mechanism will ensure that a clock holds its value, and it is worth investing in the work of a clocksmith, rather than swapping out the original workings for a battery-operated system. CHECK THE FACE ‘On the face of the clock, you will usually find the name of the village that the clock was made in, along with the initials of the maker,’ says Richard. The first recorded maker of a Mora clock was Krång Anders Andersson, who used the initials AAS Mora (for Anders Andersson & Sons).…

1. Vinegar 2. Water 3. Saddle soap 4. Microfibre cloths 5. Lemons 6. Cream of tartar 7. Methylated spirit 1 Dampen a cloth with a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water and gently rub the stain. Alternatively, use saddle soap and water. 2 Don’t rinse afterwards – simply dab gently to blot away the moisture and leave to dry naturally. 3 For more stubborn stains, make a paste from 50/50 lemon juice and cream of tartar and rub into the stained area. It is sensible to do a patch test first on an inconspicuous area. If the stain is recent, it should disappear immediately. More resistant stains may be left in contact with the paste for an hour or two. 4 Remove the paste by wiping with a damp cloth,…

FAIR DATES North & Scotland 12th-14th July Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair Sheffield, Millennium Gallery, Arundel Gate, Sheffield, S1 2PP. 10am-5pm (11am-4pm Sunday). £5 (£4 advance). greatnorthernevents.co.uk 26th-28th July Galloway Antiques & Fine Art Fair, George Watson’s College, Edinburgh, EH10 5EG. 10.30am-5pm. £5-£6. 01423 522122; gallowayfairs.co.uk 2nd-4th August Galloway Antiques & Fine Art Fair, Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 9PZ. 10.30am-5pm. £5-£6. 01423 522122; gallowayfairs.co.uk 3rd-6th October The Northern Antiques Fair, Hall M, Harrogate Convention Centre, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 2SY. Opening times vary. £7.50. 01797 252030; northernfair.com 10th-13th October Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair Manchester, Upper Campfield Market Hall, Campfield Arcade, Manchester, M3 4FN. 10am-6pm (10am-4pm Sunday). £7.50 (£6.50 advance). greatnorthernevents.co.uk 11th-13th October The Chester Decorative Antiques & Art Fair, The County Grandstand, Chester Racecourse, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 2LY.…

As contemporary art has evolved into brasher, ever more colourful and fearlessly experimental forms, it has become increasingly covetable and collectable, too. Today, as the cornerstone of our interiors schemes, the ‘right’ statement art is just as important as key pieces of furniture, such as a sofa or sideboard. And with a mass of online marketplaces, galleries and auction houses at our fingertips, art, in all its glorious guises, has never been more accessible. So, where to start? Right here, of course. As well as sage advice on how to buy, we’ve also picked out select works of art to inspire you, with – we hope – something for all. Happy shopping!…

Realism began in earnest in France in the 1840s, shaking up the established order. Recognised as the beginning of modern art as we know it, realism began in earnest in France in the 1840s, shaking up the established order. Rather than the stylised art that had epitomised the preceding Romantic and ‘history painting’ eras, realism instead sought to portray real people, situations, landscapes and objects. Works ranged from naturalistic paintings – by the likes of Gustave Courbet and Jean-François Millet – that defined the movement’s early days to the pin-sharp, almost photographic work of John Everett Millais. The essential edge of that ethos prevails in the 21st century’s photorealistic and hyperreal take on realism, encapsulated in Gina Soden’s painterly Les Histoires photo (below), which traverses old and new with its…

As a medium, art photography has burgeoned and blossomed exponentially. Photography has evolved from simply being a purely representational form (such as photojournalism) into a disparate mélange of styles and themes – landscape, portrait, fashion, documentary, etc – often mirroring movements in art. Surrealist artists Claude Cahun and Man Ray famously used photography as a form of abstract expression. As a medium, art photography has burgeoned and blossomed exponentially, particularly with the advent of the internet, digital technology and Instagram, making it easy to source, compare and buy images. Anyone who appreciates the in-depth documentary photographs of Sebastião Salgado will probably find much to love in the aerial shots of intrepid British lensman Tommy Clarke, a former International Landscape Photographer Of The Year. …you’ll love these…