Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2022 i Homes & Antiques

When dealers, collectors and enthusiasts talk about their favourite antiques, it's often in terms of the memories they evoke and the stories they tell. This is particularly true in the field of military memorabilia. On page 88, Ellie Tennant explores the fascinating and moving world of military medals, where personal stories take centre stage. This feature took on a fresh poignancy with the sad news of the Queen's death in September (halfway through production of this issue). We are grateful to Hilary Kay, Paul Atterbury and John Axford for sharing their memories of a very special recording of the Antiques Roadshow in 2014, when the Queen and Prince Philip paid them a visit (p38). This November sees the centenary of the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb. Turn to page 40, where…

The Month A remarkably talented miniaturist, Sarah Biffin (1784–1850) came from a working-class family in Somerset and yet rose to fame in the 19th century, undertaking commissions for royalty and the aristocracy. Born with the condition ‘phocomelia’ – described on her baptism record as ‘born without arms and legs’ – she grew up in her childhood home where she learnt to write, sew and use scissors. As a teenager she was contracted to Emmanuel Dukes, a travelling showman, who exhibited her as the ‘Eighth Wonder’. People who came to see her left with a sample of her neat handwriting, which was included in the cost of the ticket. In her mid-twenties she was under the tutelage of miniature painter William Marshall Craig, some of whose works are in the Royal…

As the autumn nights draw in, I can't think of anything more appealing’ than a Windsor chair drawn up to a blazing log fire. No farmhouse kitchen would be complete without one - or the slow tick of a longcase clock and the obligatory sleeping cat. The Windsor chair is an English design classic: essentially, they're stools with added backs, with or without arms. Legs are turned from beech, ash or yew and pushed into seats made from elm, sycamore or oak drilled with holes to take the legs. Beech is a versatile wood, turned quickly on a lathe, while elm, sycamore and oak are hardwoods, which remain intact, without splitting, if you drill holes near the edge of the seat. Ash and yew can be bent, curved or manipulated…

Toast's latest collection is inspired by the spirit of the Bloomsbury Group, so imagine characterful homeware made by artisans with a loose, imperfect quality; pieces such as these beautiful Romanian Horezu bowls, priced at £50. The unique pattern is made using a tool constructed from a cow horn and a feather, along with brushes and wire-tipped sticks. The imperfections generated mean that no two bowls are the same. toa.st On The Tiles These 19th-century-inspired earthenware tiles are the result of a collaboration between House of Hackney and Craven Dunnill Jackfield, a manufacturer that has been producing tiles for 150 years. The floral motifs – Artemis Hibiscus and Artemis Rose – are idealised Victorian interpretations of Jacobean flowers. They come as either a printed tile (£30) or as a relief (£25)…

Fabric Wallpaper…

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Not many people have such commitment to creating a look as Andrew Downs. Like the home opposite Deal Castle, which he shares with his husband Jeff, he is a real one-off. Never taking himself too seriously, Andrew is in the constant process of conjuring up something theatrical, amusing and quite spellbinding. His passion is for the late Victorian and Aesthetic Movement period, and although he doesn't collect or deal professionally, his knowledge is encyclopedic. ‘I began collecting as a child. I have no idea why,’ he admits. ‘I've always wanted to do that kind of wonderful, early, pared-back Georgian look with one tip-top table and a wing-backed chair. I start off like that but, before you know it, there's a doily and five pictures of Queen Victoria, 27 decanters and…

Through history, every textile knew its status, from commonplace weaves to luxury silks and sating. The ticking stripe was ranked among the lowly. It was used to make butchers’ aprons, army tents and even corsets, but most of all it covered mattresses. Ticking was first known in Europe during the medieval period. Its appeal as a cover for mattresses came from the density and strength of a weave that helped to stop the straw or feather inner from working through. True ticking has always been, and still is, a herringbone weave. This takes each weft thread over two or three warp threads instead of over just one, so more threads are packed together, giving the weave greater density and a characteristic diagonal line. Many feather pillows still have cases in…

Collecting Sgt Liddell remained in his exposed position, which was now attracting’ fire, with complete disregard for his own safety and attempted to eliminate the machine gun with liis grenades, at the same time waving to the platoon to advance…' ‘With utter disregard for his personal safety, he carried the wounded man to a ditch, helped to dress his wounds and personally helped him back to the nearest aid post…' These vivid accounts of bravery might read like heroic scenes from dramatic war films, but they're accounts of real soldiers’ lives - just a few glimpses of the awe-inspiring histories behind every antique military medal. ‘The aesthetics of medals appeal but, for most collectors - myself included - it's the history of the recipient that really excites,’ explains Adam Chapman,…

Top of the Pop With their unusual curved shape, smooth matt finish and range of enticing colourways, the new Pop tiles from Porcelain Superstore are designed to make a real statement, The rounded edges offer the chance to play with contrasting grout colours to make a striking feature, whether you're creating a small splashback or tiling an entire wall Priced at £57.60 per sq m. porcelainsuperstore.co.uk Window Dressing Purlfrost has added a reeded glass film to its collection, providing style and privacy while instantly transforming interior windows and doors. Ideal for period properties, this is an affordable and convenient way to add decoration and interest to otherwise plain glass. Available in 12mm or 25mm flutes, it is priced from £13 for a 30cm × 20cm piece. purlfrost.com NATURAL BEAUTY The…

Behind the Brand Few brands of cooker can lay claim to resuscitating lambs or hatching ostrich eggs alongside their day job, but the AGA is no ordinary cooker. Not only does this iconic oven make succulent stews and terrific toast, but its function goes above and beyond its cooking capabilities - drying log's, seeds or flowers, airing clothes and warming the home (alongside its livestockreviving abilities). It's little wonder that this multi-purpose mainstay of the kitchen has endured over the years; the cooker has managed to retain the essence of its original style and function while steadily evolving to preserve its relevance for contemporary cooks. The AGA today is a recognisable descendent of the first AGA cooker, which was created by Swedish physicist Dr Gustaf Dalén in 1922. Having been…

I fell into auctioneering by chance at the age of 18, having failed my A Levels. I was waiting to resit my exams when a job came up at an auction house in Liskeard as a saleroom junior, moving furniture. I showed an aptitude and the boss got me going on professional qualifications. I became a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors accredited valuer and have a PhD in furniture history too! I've been a general valuer for 38 years. I've seen a lot and what keeps it interesting is learning about new things. At Lawrences, which I joined in 2018, I run the coins, medals and militaria department. Discovering a whole new field has been brilliant; every set of medals tells a story, from the Waterloo medal (the oldest campaign…

The Month Featuring themes such as storytelling, animals, humour and violence, this exciting exhibition has been arranged to celebrate an acquisition of bronzes and works on paper by sculptor Dame Elisabeth Frink (1930–1993). In 2019, the Holburne Museum received a bequest from Frink's estate of 35 objects and artworks including sculptures, drawings, etchings and screen prints. A selection of these works will be on display, some of which depict Frink's unique take on Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales and classical mythology in her Children of the Gods series of etchings ‘Children of the Gods was a volume of Greek myths by Kenneth McLeish (1940–1997) and illustrated by Frink,’ explains Chris Stephens, director of the Holburne. ’The works are brimming with energy and movement, as humans and immortals share the same space.…

THE AUCTION Sometimes a gem of a collection comes up at auction, offering items that have been tucked away for decades, or even centuries, inside someone's home. Such is the case with 42 botanical watercolours from the collection of William Curtis (1746–1799), which have been stored, untouched, in the family archive for over 200 years. ‘What makes these so special is their variety, condition and freshness,’ says Catherine Southon. Curtis started out as an apothecary but became one of the foremost botanists of the 18th century, publishing The Botanical Magazine from 1787. The artist who dominated the early years of the magazine was Sydenham Edwards (1768–1819) and some of these watercolours are by him. The 20 lots are expected to make over £20,000 in total, with estimates from £300 to…

I have worked at the American Museum & Gardens for 17 years. I started as the assistant curator before becoming collections manager, and then chief curator. My undergraduate degree was in American Studies and I followed that with a Masters degree in Museum Studies. During my time as a student, I volunteered and interned at a number of historic sites in the UK and US, including Ferens Art Gallery, the Royal Collection, and Norlands Living History Center. One of the joys of working in a smaller museum is that you have a wider range of responsibilities. The closed season at the start of each year is probably one of my favourite times, even if it can be exhausting. We are closed to the public for several months, so we have…

What to Sell Now Kitsch or cool? However you feel about them, Dunhill Aquarium table lighters fetch strong prices at auction. From the 1920s–1960s, Dunhill was synonymous with fine smoking, motoring and gentlemen's accessories. This range of colourful table lighters was made with lucite panels that were reverse-carved and painted by hand with bright, life-like patterns. Fish are the most common subject, while those featuring birds, ships and race horses are much rarer. Size matters, too, with the smaller ‘Service’ size being scarcer than the ‘Giant’, ‘Half Giant’ and tall ‘Standard’. Collectors vie to own the rarest and most complex designs, so expect to make several thousand pounds if you decide to sell.…

Talking Shop When I was little, I would visit antiques fairs and car boot sales with my dad. He mainly liked spoons; caddy spoons were a particular item of interest, and I used to collect little drinking glasses. We'd visit all the stalls, searching for interesting items. I opened the shop in 2007. In the beginning we were more of an antiques centre, renting out cabinets to other dealers alongside our own pieces – but it's gradually evolved over the 15 years we've been open. It's quite a small shop, but it's laid out to ensure there's plenty of space to walk around. We display stock in cabinets with glass shelves, carefully designed so that customers can see the items and their tickets clearly. Our shop specialises in silverware and…

Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza The complete Tutankhamun collection will be on display at this new museum when it opens later this year. All 5,400 items will be exhibited together for the first time, in a fittingly impressive space with panoramic views of the Great Pyramids of Giza. grandegyptianmuseum.org The British Museum, London Although the treasures from Tut's tomb will be displayed exclusively in Giza, you can still get your ancient Egypt fix closer to home. The British Museum's ‘Hieroglyphs’ exhibition runs until February 2023, marking the 200th anniversary of their decipherment. britishmuseum.org…

Although intrigued by its listing online, Debbie Down resisted booking a viewing for this 18thcentury flint and brick Norfolk cottage. Neglected for some time, the property clearly needed a lot of work, and while as an interior designer Debbie had plenty of experience transforming old properties, the timing wasn't right, she says. But several months later, when she noticed that the cottage was still on the market, curiosity got the better of her. Looking at the photographs again, she suspected the cottage was something of an overlooked gem, and so she and her husband Dave booked a viewing. ‘We were surprised by the height of the ceilings,’ she recalls. ‘Particularly downstairs, where the rooms felt much more spacious than we'd imagined.’ They were also struck by the wonderful old oak…

1. The artist and the poet Estimate £50,000-£70,000 Sold £572,000 This delicious still-life painting. Flowers and Books, by Sir William Nicholson, was the highlight at a Woolley & Wallis sale of Modern British Art back in May. It came into the ownership of the celebrated British writer and First World War poet Siegfried Sassoon in lgsg. Possibly it was a gift from the artist to the poet - they had been great friends since igiS and Nicholson designed labels for War Poems (Heinemann, 1919), and illustrated Memoirs of a FoxHunting Man (Faber & Faber, 1938). Then again, it could have been a gift that Sassoon bought from Nicholson for his lover, Stephen Tennant, the socialite and ‘bright young thing’ with whom he had a six-year relationship. An entry in Sassoon's…

Buyer's Guide Nestled in a remote wooded valley on the Pembrokeshire coast is Melin Tregwynt, a small whitewashed woollen mill. There has been a mill here since the 17th century when local farmers would bring fleeces to be woven into sturdy Welsh wool blankets. Today, the mill is still a hub of activity, with coachloads of tourists browsing in the gift shop and enjoying Welsh cakes in the stylish cafe. The old-fashioned hand looms and flying-shuttle looms have been replaced with modern rapier models, but the mill's signature double cloth ‘Cartheni’ - upholstery tweeds and Welsh blankets are still being made, and business is booming. Sadly, Melin Tregwynt is one of only few woollen mills in Wales that have survived and thrived the remnants of a huge industry that peaked…

Tell us about your house… It was built in 1786 and was once a lodge for visitors to the Malvern Hills. We've lived here for around two years now, relocating from down south to enjoy country living. We were first drawn to the original flagstone flooring in the entrance hall, and the spiral staircase - neither of which were shown on the Rightmove listing, so they were pleasant surprises and I remember immediately thinking ‘Yes!’ when the door opened. What was the bathroom like when you moved in? It was covered in bottle-green metro tiles and there was no bath in the main bathroom, just one downstairs, which was something we knew we wanted to change as we love taking baths! The shower cubicle was enormous and took up most…

Autumn Flavours Packed with simple seasonal dishes, Rustle Up is a new cookbook by Laura Rowe and Homes & Antiques contributor Rhiannon Batten. From baked potato ‘hot dogs’ topped with caramelised onions and apple to warming dais brimming with autumn veg box favourites, each recipe is just a single paragraph long. £16.99, Pavilion Books TROWEL TO TABLE New to Cornwall's Lost Gardens of Heligan this autumn, the estate's Grade ll-listed Stewards House has been renovated and repurposed as a restaurant and event space. With a menu led by the gardens own produce, its centrepiece is a tree-like sculpture festooned with copper leaves, a commission from two local artists. heligan.com PAINT LIKE AN EGYPTIAN With the Grand Egyptian Museum set to open in Giza this month, the country's cultural history is…

Antique Fireplaces London Jason and Nadine Davies are architectural salvage specialists and beside their main business, The Architectural Forum, they run a sister company, Antique Fireplaces London, dedicated to fireplaces in many periods and materials, including Victorian cast-iron combination fireplaces and stately stone surrounds. Particularly magnificent is a French 18th-century stone example on sale for £45,000. antiquefireplaceslondon.com English Salvage The Woods family run this salvage yard in Herefordshire and also have a cafe and garden centre on site. The yard and website feature fireplaces large and small. Recent arrivals include an 18th-century stone fire surround (£3,250) and a French rouge marble fire surround, cl850 (£1,725). englishsalvage.co.uk Jamb Will Fishers business is world-renowned for its antique fireplaces, which include rare 17th-century, Georgian and Regency mantels, reflecting the architectural design and craftsmanship…

“I've been collecting’ antique ceramics for a few years now. Being a ceramicist. these pieces inspire my own Romantic Vase and Platter collections. I have a particular interest in lustreware and an ever-growing collection of 19th-century jugs. One of my favourite pieces is a larger-sized pink lustre jug I got from my friend, the late antiques dealer Rae Massingham (of N04. Bungay, Suffolk). I think the shape and proportions are just perfect; it's got a nice bulbous body with a deep rim and a beautifully shaped handle that is quite angular and not too pretty. I particularly love the contrast of the intricate and precise transfer drawing’ encased in a hand-painted oval on the front, with the freehand resist painting's decorating’ the body and surrounding’ the transfer under the pink…

THE EXHIBITIONS Encompassing almost 50 sculptures, rarely seen drawings, paintings and archival material, this new exhibition will celebrate one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th century, while shining a light on the significance that St Ives had on her work. This show was originally staged at The Hepworth Wakefield, near the artist's birthplace, and Tate St Ives has collaborated with the gallery to reimagine the exhibition within a Cornish context. Local connections are revealed in the titles of many of Hepworth's key works, such as Curved Form (Trevalgan), 1956, and Sea Form (Porthmeor), 1958. Visitors will follow Hepworth's early artistic journey from her studies at Leeds School of Art, to travels across Europe, her life in London in the 1930s when she started a family, followed by her…

Held every last Wednesday of the month, Wembley Park Antiques Market in north-west London is a recent arrival on the fairs scene. The market is proving hugely popular, especially for its mid-century modern presence from traders including The Lucky Magpie Salvage, Ridding and Wynn, Rag & Bone Bros, Retro Bazaar and Mr Newton Interiors. Hundreds of other stands feature antiques, collectables, salvage, vintage homeware, jewellery and furniture. This month's event lands on 30th November and entry is free. wembleyantiquesmarket.co.uk…

Sweet Slumber Create a sleep sanctuary with a new set of luxurious bed linen in a classic Liberty fabric pattern. There are three design themes to choose from: the Art Nouveau-inspired Town House, the pretty floral Country House, and the eccentrically bohemian Arts Club. Each print is available in a choice of either cotton, cotton sateen or linen. Prices start from £40 for a cotton pillowcase. libertylondon.com…

What to Buy Now The Swedish designer Wilhelm Kåge (1889–1960) is a significant name in the history of 20th-century Scandinavian ceramics. As a young man, he studied painting and brushed shoulders with modernists such as Carl Kylberg and Gösta Adrian-Nilsson (GAN), first gaining recognition as a poster designer in the 1910s. He joined the Gustavsberg porcelain factory in Stockholm in 1917 and was charged with modernising their table wares to reflect the principles of the Vackrare Vardagsvara (‘more beautiful everyday goods’) movement, which aimed to bring aesthetically pleasing and affordable homewares to Swedish households. Kåge's greatest legacy was the Argenta range of vases, bowls and dishes, unveiled at the Stockholm Exhibition of 1930. Made in the style of Swedish Art Deco, or Swedish Grace as the period is often referred…

Neptune has teamed up with textile designer Georgia Bosson to help tackle fabric waste, with a range of quilts and cushions that use discontinued Neptune stock samples from the Fulham store, normally destined for landfill. Georgia's designs are inspired by sails and maritime flags, with fabrics hand-stitched together in irregular shapes. Cushions start from £65. georgiabosson.co.uk Antiques Housekeeping Copper & Brass To buff up copper and brass antiques, use a conservationgrade product such as Pre-Lim metal burnisher, rather than an ammonia-based product. Apply with cotton wool and remove with a duster…

Acceptance in Lieu When Ruth Cornett's phone rings, she's never sure exactly what to expect. As senior director of the Heritage & Taxation Advisory Service at Christie's, no two days are the same and sometimes solicitors get in touch with exciting news. ‘We recently dealt with an estate where, under the bed, they had unexpectedly found a dusty case containing some Rembrandt prints,’ she reveals. ‘The heir had absolutely no idea that the deceased had been an enthusiastic collector of Rembrandt, so it was a huge surprise.’ The six etchings (c1630s–50s) were consequently acquired for the nation through the ‘Acceptance In Lieu’ scheme and were gifted to National Museums Northern Ireland. They can now be viewed in Ulster Museum's collection in Belfast – a gallery which previously didn't have any…

If you want to breathe new life into a dilapidated, old building, it helps to have a ready supply of everything you need at your fingertips. For Sophie Thounens, an antiques dealer from Bordeaux, the constant flow into her hands of farmhouse tables, reclaimed floorboards, old shutters, country furniture and endless paintings gave her and her husband Stephane the confidence to take on a project that most would have baulked at. The result of their hard work can be found in the peaceful marshlands of the Forest of Gascogne, south of Bordeaux, surrounded by shady pine forests. Here they have created an enchanting, modern rustic home that celebrates natural materials and the building's origins as a farmhouse, without skimping on the comfort or serene aesthetics that the couple favour. The…

Vintage/antique blankets Jane Beck Welsh Blankets Llwyn-y-Groes, Tregaron, Ceredigion. welshblankets.co.uk Jen Jones Welsh Quilts & Blankets Pontbrendu, Llanybydder, Ceredigion. jen-jones.com New blankets Fforest General Stores fforest.bigcartel.com Melin Tregwynt melintregwynt.co.uk Solves Woollen Mill solvawoollenmill.co.uk Find out more National Wool Museum Dre-fach Felindre, Carmarthenshire. museum.wales/wool Newtown Textile Museum Newtown, Powys. newtowntextilemuseum.co.uk St Fagans National Museum of History Cardiff. museumwales.ac.uk/stfagans New directions Inspired by vintage Welsh blankets, these makers are creating new designs… Majeda Clarke majedaclarke.com This London-based designer uses traditional Welsh patterns in modern colourways. Her blankets are woven in a Welsh mill. Hunant hunant.co.uk Cardiff-based couple Myfanwy and Tom Shorey sell cotton sheets inspired by Welsh tapestry blankets. ‘Hunant’ means ‘they slumber’ in Welsh. Adra adrahome.com Head here for Welsh blanket-inspired oilcloths, lampshades, throws, snoods and more.…

Flagstones are an integral part of the breathable fabric of a building. Laid on bare earth, they absorb and release ground moisture, which in turn stabilises the foundations. If a floor is covered with a non-breathable layer like rubberbacked underlay, ground moisture is pulled to the surface of the flagstones, causing delamination (a splitting apart of layers). This is a breeding ground for bacteria, resulting in the ‘damp’ odour associated with older buildings. Restoration can stabilise stone floors by removing delamination and bacteria. It also strips away ingrained dirt that builds up over the years, forming a ‘crust’ that reduces breathability. In Somerset, for example, the dominant stone used is Blue Lias - this is light grey in colour, but years of foot traffic cause it to become almost black.…

From visiting fairs as a child with her parents to setting up her business Junkshopantiques, to rising to stardom as a dealer on BBC One's The Bidding Room, it's fair to say that Viki Knott has been involved in the world of antiques buying and selling for most of her life. A ‘proper job’ and a growing family saw her juggling motherhood with full-time work, but amazingly she still found time to fit in a side hustle dealing in vintage and antiques at fairs and online. When the internet started to boom and bricks and mortar shops up and down the UK began to close, she decided to swim against the tide and opened a shop in the Scottish Borders. Fast forward to today and she loves nothing more than…

19th Virtual Vintage Market 9am-4pm @thewealdenbazaar HOW TO SHOP Visit the Wealden Bazaar Instagram account at 9am and browse the vintage traders who will be announced in lists in several posts the day before the market. Each list includes the trader's Instagram name, which you can click on to reach their account. The organisers also use a hashtag so you can see sellers’ stock in one place. 19th The Virtual Vintage Bazaar 10am-5pm @thevintagebazaarevents; thevintagebazaar.co.uk HOW TO SHOP When the event opens at 10am on Instagram, the dealers will be introduced one post at a time. All shoppers need to do is click through to the dealer and browse the stock they will have posted on their own account. Message the dealer to buy something. You can also access all…