Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2021 i Homes & Antiques

Autumn is here: the leaves are turning, the scent of woodsmoke is in the air and, although the clocks go back, the nights are drawing in. If, like me, this seasonal shift makes you feel like hibernating, turn to Jenny Oldaker’s feature ‘The Big Sleep’ (p40), and read about the history of the bedroom and the role it has played in our lives over the centuries. In a similar vein, this month’s houses also have a distinctly cosy feel, and colour and texture are very much to the fore. In a former rectory in Sweden (p50), and a family home in south London (p76), vibrant walls and fabrics provide warmth and an all-round sense of joie de vivre. While two family homes, one in Suffolk (p68) and the other in…

Really useful linen Gemma Moulton’s high-quality handmade linens wholly embrace the simple-useful-beautiful aesthetic. Ever since she launched East London Cloth last year, her pieces have been snapped up – not surprising considering what showstoppers they are, from gingham breakfast napkins to tablecloths with all the pleats, ruffles and fringing you could hope for. Happily, she releases her linens in batches, so everything comes back into stock every other week. eastlondoncloth.co.uk WAVY FLAIR The Lacquer Company’s wavy Belles Rives tray by Rita Konig, which is inspired by the sea viewed from the Art Deco Hotel Belles Rives in Antibes, the former seaside residence of F Scott Fitzgerald, now comes in five new cheery colours. Powder Blue, Splash Blue, Sugar Pink, Lyford Green and Blood Orange have been added to the existing…

Small, portable, pretty and easy to display, carriage clocks come in all shapes and sizes with something to suit every budget, from the low hundreds of pounds up. Look out for clocks with added complications that will increase their longterm value, such as a repeat function, or petite sonnerie or grande sonnerie alarm clocks that strike the hours. Clocks with quality cases decorated with enamel, porcelain panels or engraving are popular, too. We recently sold a grande sonnerie alarm clock, signed Henri Jacot, Paris, 1880, for £5,500; while an 1890 porcelain mounted model by Drocourt – another top Parisian maker – made £1,600.…

Having visited two 18th-century porcelain factories in London, we travel north to Derby. This beautiful city houses the only surviving British porcelain factory that still produces all its porcelain on its own premises – others have either closed long ago or moved their operations abroad. It all started very small at Derby: in 1748, a son of French Huguenot immigrants called Andrew Planché made his meagre living by firing little porcelain animals in a homebuilt kiln in his back yard. How he knew about porcelain is a mystery; some say he or his father learned the skill in Meissen; others point out that he had grown up in a close-knit community of Huguenots with knowledge of porcelain, among whom were Nicholas Sprimont, founder of the Chelsea factory, Nicholas Crisp, founder…

• In past times, when bedrooms were effectively public places, spending huge amounts of money to decorate the room was a chance to demonstrate wealth and power – and beds were duly status symbols worth eye-watering sums. This can be seen in the increasingly lavish state beds enjoyed by royalty, especially around the 17th and 18th centuries (see page 40). • As the bedroom became a more private space, those with money and status began to pay less attention to its decoration, focusing on the public areas, such as hallways and drawing rooms instead. • Around the mid-19th century, aesthetic attention returns to the bedroom – this time enhancing the room as an intimate space, rather than for show. The Industrial Revolution meant materials for beds and bedding could be…

A comfortable 90-minute drive from busy Stockholm, the serene village of Valö is home to a scattering of modest barns and houses, all clustered around the 14th-century stone church – a reminder of the central role that faith once played in Swedish life. These days however, with only a tiny percentage of Swedes attending church, the need for parish priests has declined, which is how Christer Holmström came to find himself owner of Valö’s former rectory. Although Christer is only the second owner of the rectory, a long succession of priests and their families have called it home and, having looked at church records of the families who lived there, Christer discovered that ancestors on his father’s side came from nearby Hållnäs. ‘Our relatives were married in the church in…

For salvage and vintage furniture enthusiast Lisa Waldron, moving to Suffolk with her husband Tom and their five children presented her with the perfect opportunity to indulge her passion for interiors. The couple had left London in search of more space and a slower pace of life, both of which they found in abundance in their seven-bedroom Queen Anne home. Built in 1707, and expanded during the early Edwardian period, the house, with its period charm and sense of light and space, proved to be perfect for much of the reclaimed and vintage furniture and decorative items that she had already accumulated over many years. Lisa loves looking for one-off vintage pieces rather than buying new, preferring the character that comes with age. ‘They all have a story to tell,’…

Raise a glass I bought this tankard in an antiques market off the A3 about 10 years ago. It was being sold by an elderly couple who had bought it at a house clearance sale and didn’t know anything about it. I could see it was a German stein and the lid is made of pewter. It is decorated with a depiction of Jesus and his apostles, and it has a lovely patina. I paid £90 for it, which I thought was quite a lot at the time, and I was going to give it to my brother for his birthday... But I rather liked it and in the end I kept it for mysel›! Could one of your experts tell me anything about it? Marlies Weston, Hampton Court From…

For the makers of cult mid-century TV series Mad Men, authenticity was crucial not only in terms of costumes and set design, but down to the tiniest of details, including the pens used by the characters. While most of the advertising agency workers in the programme use ‘modern’ Parker Jotter ballpoint pens (introduced in 1954 in America), troubled advertising executive Don Draper uses a classic Parker 51 fountain pen, symbolising his old-school, stylish persona. Like watches or cars, pens were (and still are to some extent at the luxury end of the market) far more than writing instruments: they are status symbols, conveying to others – and perhaps ourselves – who we are or who we want to be perceived to be. They’re personal, intimate objects, which in the past…

BUDGET: £1,500 BILL: £1,359 A sofa is one of the largest pieces of furniture you’ll buy and they are great value at auction, where you’ll find everything from handsome Regency designs to Victorian examples and early 20th-century lots in many different sizes. Hand in hand with the sofa goes the occasional table – everyone needs one, whether for a lamp, a collection of ornaments or for your glass of wine; usually lightweight, they are easily moved around. For smaller sitting rooms, a mirror is a must to reflect light around the space, making the room seem larger than it is. Round, oval or square, the choice is yours. Enliven the look with a few smaller pieces such as a vase, some bowls, a Staffordshire figure, a painting, print or poster,…

THE OWL CABINET, 1904 Perhaps the most famous of Ambrose’s designs, this cabinet merges practicality and beauty, with the distinctive roundels of the top cupboards giving it an appealing owl-like appearance. DECOR FABRIC, 1967 Described in a brochure as ‘the golden girl of Heal’s fabrics’, Royal College of Art graduate Barbara Brown produced many popular designs for the company, including this one, with its bold shapes. ART DECO CHROMIUM-PLATED DESK, 1930s This desk by Heal’s Design Studio is both beautiful and functional, with its delicate eau-de-nil lacquer providing an aesthetically pleasing companion to the simple tubular structure.…

When thinking about lighting for your home you absolutely need three or more levels, meaning ceiling lights, wall lights, and table lamps or floor lights, and it’s vital that everything is on a dimmer so you can adjust the lighting for different moods. The function of ceiling lights is for general light during the daytime. If you choose to install spotlights, which I am not keen on in historic interiors, make sure you don’t have huge grids like Heathrow Airport. Only install as many as necessary, and only in areas that need task lighting, such as kitchens. Wall lights are for atmospheric lighting. Together with picture lights they are very useful. They give a comfortable glow and, in the case of picture lights, light a subject rather than the room.…

The Black Mountains rise in a rugged triangle between Abergavenny, Hay-on-Wye and Llangors. The most easterly of the four ranges of hills that form the Brecon Beacons National Park, they drop into the English county of Herefordshire on the east. This gloriously rough-chiselled, but accessible, countryside draws droves of walkers, mountain-bikers and horse-riders to the area, but the towns and villages on its fringes have established cultural identities strong enough to attract those inclined to less vigorous pursuits; most notably bookworms to Hay-on-Wye and foodies to Abergavenny. Both towns also play host to thriving local markets and long-established annual festivals; Abergavenny Food Festival (abergavennyfoodfestival.com) and Hay-on-Wye’s various book-themed festivals (hayfestival.com). Nearby Crickhowell also hosts a popular Walking Festival (crickhowellfestival.com). These dynamic, creative towns are populated by a resilient community of…

FAIRS AROUND THE UK NOTE please contact fair organisers or keep an eye on websites and social media for updates regarding these events as they could be cancelled or postponed at any time. North & Scotland 30th September–3rd The Northern Antiques Fair, The Garden Rooms at Tennants, Harmby Road, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 5SG. 11am–6pm (closes 5pm Sunday). £7.50. 01797 252030; northernfair.com 2nd–3rd The October Seaside Vintage Fair, Whitby Pavilion, West Cliff, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 3EN. 10am–4.30pm. £3. 07985 181120; roseandbrownvintage.co.uk 8th–10th Galloway Antiques & Fine Art Fair, Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN. 10.30am–5pm (4.30pm Sunday). £5–£6. 01423 522122; gallowayfairs.co.uk 17th Manchester Vintage Home Show, Victoria Baths, Hathersage Road, Manchester, M13 0FE. 10.30am–3.30pm. £4 (£6 before 11am). 07880 910361; vintagehomeshow.co.uk 23rd–24th The Great Wetherby Racecourse Antiques and Collectors…

I love the whole process of auctions, from getting up into a dusty attic discovering a collection of old silver wrapped in newspaper that hasn’t been touched for 100 years, to researching provenance and cataloguing items for sale. I was 18 years old when I got my first job as a general valuer and saleroom assistant at Phillips auctioneers in London – I had a place at university to read History of Art but the job came up during a work placement and I took it. I’ve got absolutely no regrets about bypassing university. After a stint at Bonhams, I joined Mallams in 2015 and a year later inherited the silver department – I’ve always liked silver and have seen a lot of it over the years doing house content…

1stDibs One of the first antiques portals to be established – the creation of American business entrepreneur Michael Bruno – 1stDibs has captured the magic of a Parisian flea market virtually since 2000 with its listings of antiques, vintage and more from its network of sellers around the world. This is online antiques shopping at the very highest end and it is where you’re likely to find that one thing you can’t find anywhere else – as well as many things you never thought existed. 1stdibs.com 2Covet This antiques platform is fairly new, arriving on the scene shortly before the pandemic struck. It was founded by Charles Wallrock of Wick Antiques in Lymington, Hampshire, and Steve Sly from Bournemouth, who specialises in Japanese Meiji-period works of art. Focusing on traditional…

Abraham Moon abrahammoon.co.uk Annabel James annabeljames.co.uk Anthropologie anthropologie.com Anton & K antonandk.co.uk BeauVamp beauvamp.com Bensonians bensonians.co.uk Cameron & Miles cameronandmiles.com Cath Kidston cathkidston.com Cella Antiques cellantiques.co.uk Christopher Butterworth 020 7823 4554 Colefax and Fowler colefax.com Där Lighting Group darlighting.co.uk Davey Lighting originalbtc.com Decorative Collective decorativecollective.com Duke’s dukes-auctions.com Emma Bridgewater emmabridgewater.co.uk Ercol ercol.com Etsy etsy.com Farr & Wyde farrandwyde.com Farrow & Ball farrow-ball.com Ferm Living fermliving.com French Farmhouse Furniture frenchfarmhousefurniture.co.uk Fritz Fryer fritzfryer.co.uk General Store No.2 generalstoreno2.co.uk Gentle Rattle of China gentlerattleofchina.com George Spencer Designs georgespencer.com Halls fineart.hallsgb.com Heal’s heals.com Hill & May hillandmay.com Holloways of Ludlow hollowaysofludlow.com Homesense homesense.com House of Hackney houseofhackney.com Hudson Home hudsonhome.co.uk I Bride ibride.fr IKEA ikea.com Jamb jamb.co.uk James Hare james-hare.com Jean Monro jeanmonro.com Jennifer Shorto jennifershorto.com John Lewis & Partners johnlewis.com La Maison London…

Paul Cattermole wrote ‘Swede Salvation’ Paul is a freelance author, writer and researcher, specialising in architecture and design, with additional interests in military history, industrial archaeology and antique toys. ‘I don’t have to go far, as I live near Richmond Park, which provides a riot of autumnal reds and yellows. For a weekend treat, I’d recommend Painshill Park in Cobham: a restored landscaped garden, dotted with follies and bridges.’ Katherine Higgins answers your queries in ‘Ask an Expert’ Katherine is a specialist presenter, broadcaster and author with a passion for all things vintage, which grew out of her years working for Christie’s. ‘London. I soak up every façade, entranceway and building it offers, recording it all in a sketchbook. Bloomsbury is my sanctuary and I always begin by…

“Chawton House has always had a librarian, but I’m the first person to hold the post of curator. This means I am responsible for all the collections that we have, which includes 13,000 books by and about women, along with significant artworks, furniture, textiles and household objects. We often think of books as ‘ideas’, but they are also physical objects. Seeing them in the first form that they came into readers’ hands, and the manuscript drafts where the ideas were first coming into fruition, can tell us so much. The main challenge of my role is making sure that I am safeguarding the thousands of objects that we hold for public benefit. One of the most precious and popular objects is a silhouette showing a young Edward Austen being handed…

Susanis are embroidered covers or hangings from Central Asia, and the best-known types come from what is now Uzbekistan, in the regions of Bukhara, Tashkent and Shahrisabz. A traditional craft produced by women of the tribe, they are embroidered in coloured silk or cotton, most commonly on white or off-white cotton grounds. They were used as wrappings and furnishings in nomadic tents (yurts) and because of daily wear and tear, it’s rare to find examples that are much more than 150 years old. Most examples date from the 19th or even 20th century, and they have long been appreciated both by specialist collectors and decorators, who use them as wall art. Although susanis are still made today, it is the older examples that attract the greatest interest, as the modern…

This October, Bonhams holds an auction devoted to Napoleonic memorabilia, marking the 200th anniversary of the emperor’s death. The sale includes one of Napoleon’s legendary bicorne hats (est £100,000–£150,000) and a bone cane carved for the emperor in exile (est £70,000–£90,000). Of all the monumental figures in history, it’s Napoleon who still fascinates the most obsessive collectors. Two hundred years on, the cult of Napoleon is alive and well: the film director Bryan Forbes owned an extensive collection of Napoleonic books, all neatly bound in scarlet morocco, and decorated with Forbes’ personal bookplate, engraved with the imperial bee. My late father-in-law was so keen on Napoleon that he married a Josephine. Napoleonic memorabilia was popular in the early years of the 20th century, especially with Wall Street stockbrokers, tycoons and…

Dealer and art publisher Richard Dennis has held many a launch party over his long career. But in 1978, guests to the opening of his landmark Martinware exhibition received a special treat: a whimsical invitation in the form of a salt-glazed pottery model of a pottery shop. Made by Dorset potter Ian Gregory, this was undoubtedly one of the most unusual invitations he had ever conceived. ‘We made 100 of them. I don’t recall what they cost, but it was very little. Out of cheek we even sent one to John Betjeman,’ he reminisces. Looking back, he says Martinware was the most enjoyable and memorable of all the exhibitions he held. ‘On the opening night we were introducing cousins who had never met.’ Even now that opening party stands out,…

While classic British antique beds – from cast-iron or brass bedsteads to ornate mahogany fourposters – have their share of admirers, it’s the exuberance of continental antique beds that seems to have captured our hearts in recent years. Dr Scott Jones, owner of French Farmhouse Furniture (frenchfarmhousefurniture.co.uk) is a firm fan. ‘British beds were typically fairly small, sober, dark-wood pieces, whereas their French and Italian counterparts were often large, joyful works,’ he explains. ‘Varying from restrained Louis XVI or Directoire forms to unashamedly theatrical Baroque (Louis XV) or Venetian pieces. After nearly 40 years I’m still amazed that I routinely discover uniquely wonderful beds in chateaux and attics all over France. Many French, Italian and Catalan beds have an éclat, romance and joie de vivre that our native beds don’t.’…

Ask print designer Carol Maxwell about her favourite colours and it’s no surprise to learn that she’s a fan of green and pink. Not only are these shades very much in evidence throughout the elegant south London home she shares with her partner Tom and their sons Max and Milo, but pink and green are also part of the branding for Max Made Me, her online business and newly opened shop in Forest Hill. Carol started her illustration business while on maternity leave with her son Max, and she chose a minty green and dusky pink as her trademark colours. She subsequently decorated her studio to echo this combination, using Farrow and Ball’s Arsenic on the ceiling and Calamine on the walls. Gradually, the rest of the house has followed…

Sexist dinosaur or suave super-spy? Two-dimensional bigot or awe-inspiring action hero? Ever since Ian Fleming published Casino Royale in 1953, the book’s star agent, James Bond, has divided opinion. When Fleming’s spy novel was launched, most reviewers raved about the brilliance of his new creation, and the first print-run sold out in under a month. Other critics dismissed Bond as ‘infantile’ and ‘cretinous’. Love him or loathe him, for nearly seven decades in books and on the big screen, Bond has provided an antidote to the mundanity of the daily nine to five. Bond’s allure means that hardback first-editions of the spy thrillers fetch staggering sums. In 2019, Scottish auction house Lyon & Turnbull sold a first-edition of Casino Royale for a record-breaking £55,000. Rare-book dealer Peter Harrington recently marketed…

Lumpy straw mattresses were still by and large the norm for beds in early 19th-century Britain (for more on this see p40). It was into this imperfect domestic landscape that John Harris Heal launched a new business in 1810, selling the feather-filled mattresses that were popular on the continent. His shop opened at 33 Rathbone Place, London, and before long expanded into the manufacture of bedsteads and other furniture too, adopting new premises on Tottenham Court Road in 1818. After John’s death in 1833 his widow took over, renaming the business Fanny Heal & Son. A dynamic and driven woman, she and her son (also called John Harris) made a formidable team and continued to expand the business, moving to the store’s current site at 196 Tottenham Court Road and…

Into the blue The trend for bold, dark wall colours is set to be an enduring one, and as we head towards the winter months, it is hard to ignore its appeal for creating cocoon-like, cosy spaces. Flat, indigo blues work particularly well as a backdrop to vintage wooden furniture, as this rich Oxford Blue from the new Dulux Heritage range, £40.64 for 2.5l, demonstrates. duluxheritage.co.uk The warmth of wood Engineered wood has all the beauty of a real wood floor while avoiding the disadvantages. We love the warm autumnal tones of this Harlech Cognac Oak, which are enhanced by the brushed and lacquered finish. It costs £77 per sq m from Woodpecker Flooring. woodpeckerflooring.co.uk WOOLLY WONDER Tactile homewares in a neutral palette are The White Company’s USP, and top…

Fresh approach Christopher Davey, aka The Cotswold Guy, has realised a long-held ambition to open a farm shop. Alongside locally produced larder staples (jams, chutneys and fresh bread) the mouthwatering selection of oven-ready meals, from pizza kits to a sublime beef wellington, really are a cut above. thecotswoldguy.co.uk Leafy greens Inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement, the latest range of tableware from Birdie Fortescue is designed to easily slot into a collection of antique ceramics. Plus, the fresh teal hue is perfect for an autumn tablescape. Bordered napkin, £14.50, ceramics, from £17.50. birdiefortescue.co.uk TRICK OR TREAT? For those averse to fancy dress and face paint, these sweet iced ginger biscuits from Biscuiteers are an altogether more sophisticated way to celebrate Halloween. We hear they’re excellent for dunking, too! Mummy…

“I love using antique beds, whether full four-posters or just coronets, pelmets/half testers, in my design projects and at home. In this Georgian-rectory project I have used an antique pelmet, as the ceiling in this particular room was not very high. This approach works very well and softens the space, making it special and cosy without being too overpowering. I love using contrasting colours on the inside to the outside, generally a small-scale pattern to the inside, which in turn works gently with the room’s other fabrics. In this Georgian house I chose a beautiful Jean Monro fabric for the main curtains, together with a James Hare silk on the outside bed curtains and a Nile & York small print to the inside. The antique suzani finishes it all beautifully.”…

The idea for a new business grew organically from Omelo Mirrors, which Louise set up in 2009. Our first find, a gypsy bobbin table, was snapped up by Robin Myerscough Studio and from there we started to provide an antique sourcing service, working with interior designers and private individuals. We also noticed an increasing environmental concern, so we set up The Antiques Hound to help focus on sustainability and reducing our waste. The pandemic gave us a focus, and we launched in August 2020. We trade via our website and Instagram as we’re aware both platforms appeal to different people. Our specialism is compact antiques, especially side and occasional tables, chests of drawers and chairs from the Georgian and Victorian periods. Prices range from £80 for a decorative object or…

PROPORTIONS: Antique beds come in many sizes and proportions, so choose one that works with the dimensions of your bedroom. As a general rule, rooms with ceilings higher than their depth and width can take beds that mirror those proportions: high headboards, four-posters, lit à la polonaise or beds with canopies can all work in these spaces. If the room’s proportions are more contemporary, choose a bed with a headboard that is wider than its height, such as Italian designs from the last century, which will work well. BASE & MATTRESSES: Most antique beds are frames that consist of a headboard, footboard and two sidebars with various different support systems/designs to make up the base. The frame’s support system is usually either east/west slats, which sit across the frame, or…

• Charleston House ‘Such an inspiring and uplifting house with a fascinating story.’ charleston.org.uk • French Brocantes ‘We have a house in France and a must on holiday is a trawl of the local brocantes. We have found many treasures that have added character to the house and are all the more special from having been found in the most unlikely places.’ old-school hotel of epic grandeur and style (pictured), unspoilt and full of history.’ esplanade.hr • Paul Smith, Albemarle St ‘We’ve been lucky enough to work with the team who curate the impeccable Paul Smith interiors collection, where the signature PS style extends to lights, furniture and unusual artefacts.’ paulsmith.com • Prado, Madrid ‘Monumental in every way. The vast rooms contain a collection of some of the world’s most…

For more than 30 years, Su Mason has dealt in antique French linens, textiles and workwear dating from the 18th century and after. Selling things she thinks and hopes people will like is how she describes what she does. Her visitors at antiques fairs and by appointment divide between those looking for historic homespun linens for their homes, and costume designers for film, theatre and fashion seeking style evidence and inspiration. Her Colchester store on the day a delivery from France had arrived was a breathtaking time capsule of clothing and furnishings from a vanished past. Ask Su what delights her most in the midst of all this and she picks up a garment on a hanger and swings it onto the table. ‘This is a full-length biaude ,’ she…

ONE GREEN BOTTLE A mottled emerald green jade snuff bottle made in China was dated 1800 to 1850. It has a tortoiseshell spoon and a pink quartz stopper. Estimate £3,000–£5,000 CAUGHT IN TIME This simple Arts and Crafts silvered mantel clock dates to 1890–1900 and is decorated with a relief of a tavern scene. It measures 26.5cm tall. Estimate £300–£500 A SERVING OF ELEGANCE Stored on a bamboo stand and made in the late 19th or early 20th century, this Japanese lacquered tray would have been used to serve tea or drinks. Estimate £1,000–£1,500…

The author of The Hundred and One Dalmatians , Dodie Smith, began working for Heal’s as a sales assistant in 1923 and is rumoured to have embarked on an affair with Ambrose Heal whilst working at the store. For the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977, specialists among Heal’s staff were employed to restore Buckingham Palace’s 60ft banqueting table for the forthcoming celebrations. Heal’s has a mascot – the statue of a cat in the flagship store. The item was once sold in error, and Ambrose Heal himself wrote to the customer to cancel the order, stating: ‘Heal’s Mascot: Not for Sale’.…

Ceiling lights are the first building blocks for illuminating a room Floor and table lamps provide comfortable light at eye level and are decorative too Wall lights provide a softer glow than ceiling lights and create a relaxing mood…