Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2019 i Homes & Antiques

One historical issue that I have a keen interest in is that women, and their contributions to our world, have all too often been left off the records. But it excites me that, today, more and more women are being rediscovered by historians, and I hope it interests you too as, in the case of any artists or craftspeople, their emergence opens up new, untapped collecting areas. A movement on which women had a huge impact was Arts and Crafts, and thankfully a lot of work has been done to preserve these ladies’ legacies. Let Caroline Wheater introduce you to some little-known, as well as some all-but-forgotten names, from page 68. I think each house featured this month will come alive in autumn, from Roger de Muir’s 17th-century French home…

ALTER AT FITZROVIA CHAPEL From 27th Nov-1st Dec, see striking contemporary ceramics at one of London’s hidden gems. fitzroviachapel.org HENRI MATISSE: MASTER OF LINE Until 5th Jan 2020, visit Bath’s Holburne and discover exquisite drawings by master of 20th-century design, Matisse. holburne.org AMBROSE MCEVOY AT PHILIP MOULD From 26th Nov-24th Jan 2020, see expressive artworks by this forgotten society painter. philipmould.com…

‘My Instagram account is a creative outlet for my obsession with interiors,’ explains stylist Dee Campling. ‘I share styling tips, how to do things on a budget, new interiors sources, and what is inspiring me at the moment. I’m particularly into creating organic looks with paint and botanicals,’ she says. ‘My style is a mix of Scandinavian, vintage and bohemian. I very much believe that your home should make you happy, and that any item will work if it’s chosen with your heart.’…

‘Don’t let your sofa end up in landfill! Good old-fashioned wooden furniture is never beyond repair. ’ My belief is that you have got to leave this planet better than you found it. If I didn’t make a contribution to the Earth – from recycling products, to working within my community – then I’d be just as bad as those who take it for granted. As you are reading Homes & Antiques, chances are you already furnish your home in a way that has very little impact on our environment: by buying antique and second-hand furniture. But do think about how you’re getting rid of the items you are replacing, as well. Is that old sofa going straight to the recycling centre? If so, there’s a high probability it will…

Formed over the past 450m years, fossils, minerals and crystals have a breathtaking history and can make striking centrepieces in your home. Originating from China, this freestanding fluorite (£8,500, Dale Rogers Ammonite) is the perfect conversation-starter. Commonly known as a stone of spiritual protection, amethyst can also add a stylish twist to a simple, elegant table light, like this natural amethyst sculpture lamp (£3,943, 1st Dibs).…

Period furniture and antique architectural features have always been two of Roger de Muir’s passions. His current home, previously an unloved 17th-century townhouse in Foix, overlooking the gothic church of Saint Volusien, is a treasure trove of authentic pieces collected over the years. The rooms are decorated with 19th-century blue-and-white china, Renaissance and English paintings and the odd piece brought back from a sale or auction, purely for its intriguing appearance. His addiction to collecting started at an early age. ‘I remember, when I was nine or 10, developing a real love for Chinese and Japanese bronzes,’ he says. ‘In the early 1960s, I would visit junk shops and find things for next to nothing.’ At around the age of 15 the architectural bug took hold and he would often…

1834 William Morris is born in Walthamstow, Essex, to a wealthy middle-class family. After the death of his father in 1847, he becomes financially independent. 1851 Publication of The Stones of Venice by art historian John Ruskin, who espouses a return to craft-based production in a challenge to machines. 1855 William Morris and his friend, the Pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones, tour the gothic cathedrals of northern France together and pledge to devote their lives to art. 1860 William Morris and his wife, Jane, move into Red House in Bexleyheath, designed for them by Philip Webb. 1861 A gathering of friends at Red House set up ‘The Firm’ – Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co (later to become Morris & Co) – to design and hand craft items for the home, from…

Think of pewter, and tarnished, silver-grey pub tankards may spring to mind. Yet pewter has a much more scintillating story. The contemporary Swedish design and interiors company Svenskt Tenn, for instance, was even founded on pewter. In October 1924, art teacher Estrid Ericson opened the Firma Svenskt Tenn shop in Stockholm, selling pieces of pewter, one of the most exciting materials of the time. Today, the firm, which expanded in the 20th century to cover all aspects of interior design and is famed for its work with architect-designer Josef Frank, still sells several of the original pewter designs. They include Estrid’s iconic fish-shaped ‘Brännvinsfisken’ schnapps flask, alongside dozens of pieces dreamt up through the decades, comprising candleholders, vases, teapots and jewellery. All are unexpectedly shiny and modern-looking. ‘Polished pewter is…

OPTICAL ILLUSION Convex or ‘bullseye’ mirrors first appeared as scientific apparatus, specifically optical instruments. Their use in home decor dates back to the 15th century, when glass production was predominantly based in Italy. These examples were extremely expensive and highly treasured. In England, convex mirrors rose to prominence during the Regency era as a result of rapid advancements in glass manufacturing, which meant they could be produced on home ground. They were often hung in the dining rooms of the well-to-do, where the curved properties of the glass enabled staff to discreetly monitor dinner guests. Such was their popularity, they are the only style listed under ‘Mirrors’ in furniture maker Thomas Sheraton’s The Cabinet Dictionary (1803). Today, we might be familiar with convex mirrors on road sides to help see…

There are two key things to look for when buying a convex mirror from the Regency period: quality and originality. That’s according to Thomas Lange of Ronald Phillips, who recommends seeking expert advice before going ahead with a purchase. ‘A good-quality mirror should have original gilding and plate,’ he explains. ‘Only a good dealer will know the difference; they can tell if a mirror has been regilded or artificially distressed.’ SEEK IMPERFECTION Some signs of authenticity can be spotted by the untrained eye. Take the quality of the glass, for instance. In comparison to modern mirrors, original Regency glass will appear slightly mottled. ‘You should be looking for signs of distress,’ Thomas says. ‘Authentic mirrors were produced by dissolving silver in mercury, which was then painted onto glass and evaporated.’…

ON THE SCENT Before mass-market perfumes, women bought bottles to fill – this 1877 silver-gilt and enamel one by Henry William Dee has a leather and velvet case. Estimate £500-£600 STYLISH STORAGE A revival in late Georgian and Regency style in the early 1900s spawned lookalike furniture, such as this demi-lune cabinet with chinoiserie decoration. Estimate £200-£300 ELOQUENT READING An evocative memoir by Danish author Karen Blixen (pen name Isak Dinesen), this 1937 first edition of Out of Africa details life on her Kenyan coffee farm. Estimate £150-£250…

2-FOR-FREE 1st-3rd The Pavilions of Harrogate Decorative, Antiques & Art Fair, The Pavilions of Harrogate, Railway Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG2 8NZ. 11am-5pm. £5. 01278 784912; cooperevents.com 2-FOR-1 3rd Frock Me! Vintage Fashion Fair, Chelsea Old Town Hall, King’s Road, London, SW3 5EE. 11am-5.30pm. £4. 020 7503 9171; frockmevintagefashion.com 2-FOR-1 8th-10th Galloway Antiques & Fine Art Fair, Scone Palace, Perth, Scotland, PH2 6BD. 10.30am-5pm (4.30pm Sunday). £5-£6. 01423 522122; gallowayfairs.co.uk 2-FOR-1 5th-10th The Winter Art & Antiques Fair Olympia, National Hall, Hammersmith Road, London, W14 8UX. 11am-6pm (closes 9pm Thursday and 5pm Sunday). £24.50 (£20.50 advance). 0844 412 4629; olympia-antiques.com 2-FOR-1 10th Adams Antiques Fair, Lindley Hall, The Royal Horticultural Halls, 80 Vincent Square, London, SW1P 2PE. 10am-4.30pm. £4. 020 7254 4054; adamsantiquesfairs.com *Present this page at the fair to…

CARRIAGES Closed by Dr Beeching in 1963, the former Coalport railway station hosts a brace of handsome, luxuriously appointed carriages – we’re talking whirlpool baths and walk-in showers – amid three acres of wooded grounds, replete with woodland walk. Carriage One sleeps six while Carriage Two sleeps four. Prices from £280 per night. coalportstation.com IRON BRIDGE HOUSE The top two floors above a former grocer – now the Ironbridge Gorge Museum – house this graciously restored residence, each room offering splendid views of the bridge and gorge. As you might expect, the living room has a fine iron fireplace cast locally in Coalbrookdale. The house sleeps four and costs from £323 for four nights. landmarktrust.org.uk FLAT ON THE SQUARE Directly overlooking the landmark that gave Ironbridge its name – and…

Our house was built in 1780 using ruins from a 12th-century priory. It’s a modest farmhouse, and I’ve had quite minimal intervention since I bought it 10 years ago. I’ve had to de-modernise areas, mainly bathrooms, and I have reinstated fire surrounds. Most of the work has been decorating. The oldest thing in my home is a fragment of a Roman capital that was found while excavating a floor in one of my old houses. I think it dates to around the 3rd-century AD. The newest thing in my home is a Chris Riisager sculpture in my garden. To create flow between the spaces in my home I make sure there is a natural progression of colour from one room to the next. It’s easy to design individual rooms, but…

TALKING HEAD This Roman mask, from the 3rd century AD, has me captivated – its dark eyes and rich patina are so alluring. FAMILY TREE It was May Morris, daughter of William Morris, who embroidered this Orange Tree design. A READING LIGHT This amethyst lamp would look great in my book nook, between a little ammonite and a stack of hardbacks. REGENCY REFLECTION The convex mirror gets the ‘Design Icon’ treatment this month – it’s this simple example that’s caught my eye. GOING, GOING… Can you guess the hammer price of this gorgeous demi-lune cabinet with chinoiserie detailing?…

Picture Imperfect When my grandparents were bombed out during the Second World War, my grandfather was sent to an auction to buy furniture, as they only had the clothes they were wearing. Instead, my grandfather bought this painting! He said that the young washerwoman reminded him of their daughter, who had died aged 20. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when he came home to my grandma. Although she was petite, she could make her wishes known. Sarah Adler, London DO YOU HAVE AN ANTIQUE WITH A STORY? If you have a stash of letters that were penned in the trenches, or a compass that travelled the world 100 years ago, we want to hear. Tell us your antique’s story and take a good…

Embrace the darkness Ah, autumn... Finally, we can turn our attention to long evenings spent hunkered down in front of the fire, surrounded by cosy textiles and dark, cocooning paint colours. This scene from Neptune looks particularly inviting, don’t you think? 01793 427450; neptune.com CUPBOARD LOVE If your Ikea kitchen is in need of some TLC, but you don’t fancy the upheaval of ripping everything out and starting from scratch (dust and debris – no, thank you!), Bristol-based HUSK has a practical and affordable solution. It offers custom cupboard fronts and worktops that can be altered to fit any existing kitchen – not just Ikea – so you can give your space a colourful and contemporary overhaul. Prices start from around £90 per door. 0117 442 0377; madebyhusk.com Elephant in…

Cast iron became one of the most widely used domestic furnishing materials after Abraham Darby devised an economic smelting process using coke instead of charcoal in the mid-18th century. This enabled the production of affordable items such as railings, gates, hinges, latches, door knockers and lifts. Antique ironmongery has a long life and can be found at architectural antiques dealers such as LASSCO and at salvage fairs. But bear in mind that authentic pieces won’t be cheap – a mid-19th-century door knocker might set you back £250, while a statement hall stand will cost upwards of £1,000. In Edwardian times, solid brass became popular and you can find pieces at similar prices to cast iron. Another option is to source repro ironmongery from a specialist such as Willow & Stone,…

Following the Treaty of Nanking in the mid-19th century, which facilitated foreign trading between China and Europe, an abundance of silverware was exported worldwide. Wang Hing & Co of Hong Kong had the monopoly in this luxury market and its pieces remain as popular as ever. Last year, we sold a large oval tray decorated with embossed dragons chasing flaming pearls, and a pair of pierced ‘bamboo, chrysanthemum and dragon’ comports. Both dating from the early-20th century, they made £2,100 and £1,850 hammer prices respectively. 01743 450700; fineart.hallsgb.com…

• The artist Phoebe Anna Traquair created murals, enamel jewellery, and enamel panels, and her work can be bought at auction today from £6,000 to £50,000. See her magnificent murals at the Mansfield Traquair Centre – a former Catholic Apostolic Church in Edinburgh’s New Town where, in 1892, Traquair was commissioned to paint biblical scenes. • Ann Macbeth, who attended the Glasgow School of Art after the Macdonald sisters, is another well regarded artist whose textiles, such as dining tablecloths and the like, can still be found in the high hundreds of pounds at auction. • The artworks of illustrator Jessie M King are another affordable option, owing to her prolific output. Though her early watercolours in pen and ink on vellum cost from £5,000 to £10,000 at auction, her…

KNIGHT ON HORSEBACK This is the earliest hollow-cast pewter figure known in England and one of the first examples of a mass-produced medieval metal toy, dated c1300. PILGRIM BADGES It was believed the touch of one of these medieval badges (souvenirs bought by pilgrims at holy sites and shrines) could heal the sick and dying. MARY ROSE PEWTER Dozens of pieces of pewter were salvaged from the Mary Rose in the 1980s, including flagons, plates, saucers, a chamber pot and two syringes. THE TEMPERANCE BASIN The original cast pewter dish (c1585) was acquired by the V&A in 1855. It’s a design copied for the ladies’ singles trophy at Wimbledon.…

ART & ANTIQUES FOR EVERYONE 28th November-1st December Hall 12, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, B40 1NT. 0844 581 0827; antiquesforeveryone.co.uk FONTAINE Uplands, Burtons Lane, Wellington Heath, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 1NF. 07855 360475; fontainedecorative.com HANSONS IN DERBYSHIRE Often holds auctions featuring pewter. hansonsauctioneers.co.uk KEITH HOCKIN ANTIQUES The Square, Stow-on-the-Wold, Cheltenham, GL54 1AF. 01451 831058; keithhockin.com THE OAK INTERIOR Sales at Bonhams. bonhams.com…

1434 Jan van Eyck’s The Arnolfini Portrait is one of the best-known early images of a convex mirror in the home. c1770-90 ‘It’s a small leap from this garter mirror to the victory convex,’ notes Thomas Lange of the sunburst mirror. c1798-1805 Convex mirrors were tied to military success. This design celebrates the triumph of the British at the Battle of the Nile. c1810 A pair of Regency convex mirrors linked to the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Mini cannonballs decorate the frame. 1934 With its ties to ‘victory’, the convex mirror spread to America, where it was used as a political statement.…

The whitewashed exterior of Michael Jones and Michael (Mikey) Beatt’s Victorian home gives little clue as to the delights that lie beyond its front door. Stepping over the threshold, visitors are greeted by colour and character in spades, with intriguing collections at every turn. Dark grey walls on the ground floor provide a neutral backdrop for their collection of gilt-framed floral still lifes – picked up at flea markets over the years – and cushions and kilims in rich shades of red, ochre and teal. ‘We don’t follow any style rules but just fill our home with the things we love,’ says Michael, who is responsible for choosing most of the furniture. ‘I’m into the details,’ says Mikey, adding that he is the one who tends towards obsession from time…

WOOD TO GO Made from rosewood and oak, this quirky, box-shaped clock deserves to take centre stage. Art deco mantel clock, £755, Pamono. TICKED OFF In fine original condition with movement fully restored – a real looker. Ebonised bracket clock by John Walker of London (c1870), £3,950, FJ & RD Story. GILTY AS CHARGED Dating from the 1880s, mantel clocks don’t get much sweeter than this. French gilt mantel clock, £225, Vetera Novis at The Hoarde. CALLING TIME At 40cm high, a tall and distinguished addition to your mantelpiece. Victorian Lenzkirch mantel clock, £1,150, Graham Smith Antiques.…

Rule of thumb My mum had a collection of ceramic thimbles that were displayed in a wooden cabinet on the wall. Now that she’s passed away, we are unsure of how best to store them to keep them safe. The cabinet has no door, so the thimbles can easily fall out. What would you suggest? Lisa Walsh, via email Thimbles have great advantages as collectables: small, decorative, infinitely varied, easily portable and usually inexpensive, it is little wonder they have a keen following, especially with older generations. Your mother may well have bought each one to mark a special occasion. Caring for them needn’t be difficult. Thimbles are not easily damaged, and washing them in warm, soapy water will keep them pristine. If you want to keep the cabinet, you…

FAIR OF THE MONTH Art & Antiques for Everyone Over 200 specialist dealers from the UK, Europe and the USA will be exhibiting at Art & Antiques for Everyone (28th Nov-1st Dec). It will feature a vast selection of antiques, art and design pieces, from mid-century and Scandi to art deco. The fair brings together dealers from all levels of the antiques world – those with items for up to £100,000 as well as those selling early toys or rare scientific instruments for around £20. NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. 11am-6pm (closes 5pm Sun). £16 (£12 advance). 0844 581 0827; antiquesforeveryone.co.uk FAIR DATES North & Scotland 2nd Antiques & Collectors Fair, St George’s Hall, Liverpool, L1 1JJ. 9.30am-4pm. £3. 0151 259 6873; carbootle.co.uk 2nd Leeds Vintage Market, Kirkgate Market, 28-34 George…

Renowned for being the largest vetted art, antiques and interiors fair outside of London, Art & Antiques For Everyone brings together 180 specialist dealers exhibiting the finest pieces from classic to contemporary including furniture, paintings, silver, sculptures and bronzes to jewellery, ceramics, art deco, textiles and more. With such diversity, the fair is the ultimate destination for those seeking decorative interiors inspiration or wanting to enjoy a unique shopping experience with friends.…

MAWS CRAFT CENTRE Artists and designers inhabit the independently run studios in this, the former Victorian tile factory of Maw & Co, the Jackfield company that was once the largest manufacturer of tiles in the world. You’ll find foodie treats, jewellery, candles and more. mawscraftcentre.co.uk COALPORT CHINA MUSEUM GIFT SHOP Highly skilled craftsfolk still turn their hands to ceramics making and painting in the old workshops of Coalport China Museum, meaning you get the chance to make like the queens and tsars of yesteryear and avail yourself of some of the exquisite wares made on-site. ironbridge.org.uk IRONBRIDGE ANTIQUES, ARTS & CRAFT CENTRE Beautifully positioned next to Dale End Park in Coalbrookdale, on the leafy banks of the Severn. Come for the treasure trove of more than 60 individual antiques sellers…

Brent Darby photographed ‘A Renaissance Jewel’ A New Zealander living happily in the UK for the last 19 years, Brent loves mid-century design with a splash of modern thrown in. He looks for diversity in the interiors that he shoots, and loves that the job always surprises him, and introduces him to the most interesting people. ‘My best £50 item was a vintage convex mirror with a dodgy frame. Nothing a lick of paint and a little bit of putty couldn’t fix!’ Rachel Dinning wrote ‘Design Icon: The Regency Convex Mirror’ A journalist who specialises in history, Rachel covers all time periods, from ancient Egypt to the Second World War, and has interviewed historians including Dan Jones, Helen Castor and Tracy Borman. ‘I found an oversized skeleton wall…

1 the EXHIBITION TUTANKHAMUN: TREASURES OF THE GOLDEN PHARAOH Discover Egypt’s most precious artefacts at the Saatchi Gallery from 2nd November to 3rd May 2020, as the treasures from Tutankhamun’s tomb make their final appearance in London before returning to Egypt. See 150 glittering pieces, including a mini golden coffin used to house the Pharaoh’s liver, and two life-sized wooden statues that stood either side of the burial chamber. saatchigallery.com 2 the SALE EVOLUTION, SUMMERS PLACE Birds, butterflies, minerals, a dinosaur skeleton and a walrus skull, not to mention many other weird and wonderful marvels, will go under the hammer at the Evolution sale at Summers Place in West Sussex on 19th November. Prepare to be amazed by the lots, some of which date back millions, even billions of years.…

In Zuber: Two Centuries of Panoramic Wallpaper, author Brian Coleman delves into the history of the oldest wallpaper manufacturer in the world. (£55, Gibbs M Smith Inc) Chrissie Rucker, the founder of The White Company, offers a definitive guide to decorating with her signature style of elegant white and neutral tones. (£30, Octopus) Historian Susan Whitfield explores the ancient trade routes that were a catalyst to vast economic, artistic, cultural and political development. (£49.95, Thames & Hudson)…

Punchy primary hues and plenty of floral decorative details combine to embody the essence of Folk Art. This is the perfect decorating choice for those who enjoy a painterly style and joyful brushstrokes. The rich, earthy tones of natural materials imbue this look, which can be summed up simply as Arts and Crafts meets tribal. The handcrafted printer’s tray, abacus, spoon, plumber’s dollies and rattle provide strong anchor points for the bold fabrics and tiles. Moody Victorian is given a refresh with this season’s rust and monochrome palette. Tie an eclectic collection of classical busts, plaster models and Victorian silhouettes with patterned fabrics in a charming colourway to make your treasured finds take centre stage. The classic colour scheme of blue and white never fails to feel fresh. Pair ornately…

We tend to think of the Arts and Crafts movement in male terms, of William Morris, for example, who co-founded the home furnishings company Morris & Co; of William De Morgan, who made lustreware ceramics; and of CR Ashbee, who set up The Guild of Handicraft, to name just three leading lights. But woven through this tapestry of artistic endeavour are female threads too; women whose stars are on the rise today. ‘Increasingly, we’re uncovering the roles that women had in the iconic design firms of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, such as Morris & Co and Liberty,’ says John Mackie, director of decorative arts at Lyon & Turnbull, who runs the firm’s popular twice-yearly Decorative Arts: Design from 1860 sales. ‘These women played to their strengths in…

For designer Anna Hayman, pattern is a way of life. In the 1920s home that she shares with her husband Henry and their two sons, virtually every surface is covered with decorative embellishments. All of the designs are her own and most of them take inspiration from centuries-old motifs. Both Anna’s work and home style are rooted in her fascination with the way patterns emerge and re-emerge from era to era, in slightly different forms and on varying surfaces – painted onto ceramics, woven into rugs or drawn freehand. ‘I became interested in how certain motifs, such as stylised florals, are perennially popular, but reworked to suit the mood of their time,’ she says. She cites the way the designs of William Morris (who, in turn, had drawn on influences…

The use of pewter is alive and well, with designer-makers producing both contemporary and traditional pieces. Indeed, The Worshipful Company of Pewterers still works hard to promote modern British pewter through its annual Pewter Live design competition. Fleur Grenier is one of the UK’s leading pewtersmiths, creating sculptures, tableware and decorative pieces, while artist Ella McIntosh makes contemporary pewter vases, candleholders and spoons. British designer Max Lamb went one step further and cast a pewter stool in sand on a beach (pictured). And Ian McIntyre offers a modern take on pewter tableware, alongside hand-spun polished pewter milk jugs and sugar bowls for craft/design store, Another Country. Svenskt Tenn continues to innovate with its pewter works – recent offerings include the modern Gömma box by Norwegian designer Marianne Andersen, and a…

Although it was built less than a decade ago, the house seems to belong in this terrain; its gentle colours blend seamlessly into its pastoral setting. Painting and the colours and forms of the surrounding landscape are as inescapable in Elena Carozzi’s home as in her work. The three-bedroom house and studio are set along a bumpy track in an ancient olive grove on the Ligurian border with Tuscany. Although it was built less than a decade ago, the house seems to belong in this terrain; its gentle colours blend seamlessly into its pastoral setting. ‘We fell in love with the landscape of Mediterranean scrub and olive trees, but the challenge was to make the house look as if it had always been there,’ says Elena of the home that…

Historically, there are few known makers of convex mirrors. A leading light in the field, however, is Thomas Fentham – a carver and mirror maker based in London’s Strand during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He is known to have created a number of convex mirrors during the Regency period. Fentham’s trade label (pictured below), found on a surviving convex mirror, has helped to identify other authentic models, although, as Thomas Lange of Ronald Phillips notes, ‘his work is already easily distinguishable due to its superior quality’.…

If you don’t have a chimney, you may be able to install a prefabricated one that works in the same way as a normal chimney would, says Alex Sheldon. You can have one that runs internally or externally, allowing you to enjoy a stove or fire in your home. Your retailer can advise which type is best for your installation. Alternatively, many gas fires and stoves are available as balanced flue versions. These don’t need a chimney, and instead require a twin-wall pipe to vent directly to an outside wall. Air for combustion is drawn in through the outer pipe, while the inner pipe removes combustion gases to the exterior of the property. While many woodburning and multi-fuel stoves feature technology for high-efficiency heating, some models have now been further…