20th Century Specialists

The design and ornamentation of this centre table is characteristic of Portuguese Baroque furniture dating from the second half of the 17t...

Due to their utilitarian nature, surviving pairs of 17th century candle stands/torchères are extremely rare and generally only seen today in great houses. The quality of the marquetry decoration and the attention to detail indicate that these candle stands were probably made for a substantial household. The turned stems displays the skill of the turner, and create fluidity, variety of form, emphasing the quality of the solid walnut grain and the floral inlay as well as holding and balancing the form of the top. The sweeping, scroll feet balance the proportion and fluidity of the candle stands/torchères, giving them presence. They are sturdy and in excellent condition. Virtually identical turnings and form. Both with octagonal tops, one with a central marquetry floral spray, the other plain. The upper sections with solid walnut baluster and ring turnings leading into lower octagonal sections decorated with marquetry floral sprays repeated 3 times. The stems supported by octagonal blocks with a repeat of the floral spray and scroll tripod bases with two floral sprays on the upper facing sections. Excellent original colour and patina. English. Height 96cm, Top diameter 29cm Moveable stands to support a candlestick or lamp were intended to supplement the fixed lighting arrangements of rooms. The evidence of inventories suggests that they did not become common in France until about 1650 when they accompanied fine tables and cabinets. Such stands, being sometimes in the form of gueridons. The fashion for decorative candlestands spread rapidly after the Restoration, when they were often made en-suite to flank a sidetable with a mirror above. Such sets are mentioned in lists of household goods and by contemporary writers. In 1664, for instance, Mary Verney is anxious to obtain “a table and stands of the same coler”. The Academy of Armory, published in 1688, defines a candle-stand as a “little round table...

One 85 cm + 10 cm pricket Other 89 cm high + 10 cm pricket Just purchased more information to follow.

Charming delft dish demonstrating how exotic the East appeared to Europe and a sense of wonder it portrayed. Unusually painted in the 'Wanli' style demonstrating the mania in Europe...

Antique print titled 'Olyfanten vanghst op Ceylon'. Antique print depicting the catching of elephants on Ceylon, Sri Lanka.

John Ogilby (British 1600-1676) cosmographer and geographick printer to Charles II. A road map from Britannia, 1675/6. No 5, The road from London to Barwick: London to Stilton In a grey painted and gilded frame. In a remarkable life John Ogilby pursued, several careers, each ending in misfortune, and yet he always emerged undeterred, to carry on. His modern reputation is based on his final career, started in his sixty-sixth year, as a publisher of maps and geographical accounts. Ogilby was born outside Dundee, in 1600, the son of a Scottish gentleman. While he was still a child, the family moved to London. When the elder Ogilby was imprisoned for debt, the young John invested his savings in a lottery, won a minor prize, and settled his father's debts. Unfortunately, not enough money was left to secure John a good apprenticeship; instead, he was apprenticed to a dance master. Ogilby was soon dancing in masques at court but, one day, while executing a particularly ambitious leap, he landed badly. The accident left him with a permanent limp, and ended his dancing career. However, he had come to the attention of Thomas Wentworth, later Earl of Strafford, Charles I's most senior minister. Ever one to exploit his contacts, Ogilby became a dance instructor in Strafford's household. When Strafford was sent to Ireland, Ogilby accompanied him as Deputy-Master of the Kings Revels, and then Master of Revels. In Dublin, he built the New Theatre, in St. Werburgh Street, which prospered at first, but the Irish Rebellion, in 1641, cost Ogilby his fortune, which he estimated at £2,000, and almost his life. After brief service as a soldier, he returned to England, survived shipwreck on the way, and arrived back penniless. On his return, Ogilby turned his attention to the Latin classics, as a translator and publisher. His first faltering attempt, in 1649, was a translation of the works of Virgil, but after his marriage to a wealthy widow the same year, his publishing activities received a considerable boost. One means by which Ogilby financed these volumes was by subscription, securing advance payments from his patrons, in return for including their name and coats-of-arms on the plates of illustrations. Another approach was to secure a patron, preferably in the court circle. Ogilby's first patron was Strafford, who found out too late that all leading ministers are dispensable when Charles I assented to his execution in 1641. As he re-established himself, Ogilby sought a new patron, the King himself. In 1661, Ogilby was approached to write poetry for Charles II's coronation procession; he later published 'The Relation of His Majesties Entertainment Passing Through the City of London', and a much enlarged edition the following year, which included a Fine set of plates depicting the procession. Royal favour was bestowed in 1674 when John Ogilby received the title of 'His Majesty's Cosmographer and Geographick Printer' with a salary of £13.6s.8d per annum. In 1665, Ogilby left London to avoid the Plague then ravaging the capital. The following year, in the Great Fire of London, Ogilby claimed that he lost his entire stock of books valued at some £3,000, as well as his shop and house, leaving him worth just £5. As he sought to restore his fortunes, Ogilby was already looking in new directions. The initial opportunity he seized on was the reconstruction of London's burnt-out centre. He secured appointment as a "sworn viewer", whose duty was to establish the property boundaries as they existed before the Fire. Ogilby was assisted in the project by his step-grandson, William Morgan, and by a number of professional surveyors. The result was an outstanding plan of London, on a scale of 100 feet to an inch, on 20 sheets, although it was not printed until after Ogilby's death. Ogilby then turned his attention to publishing geographical descriptions of the wider-world. In 1667, he issued 'An Embassy from the East India Company of the United Provinces to the Grand Tartar Cham, Emperor of China.' Buoyed by the response to this volume, Ogilby conceived an ambitious project, a multi-volume description of the world. The volumes were joint collaborations, in conjunction with the Dutch publisher Jacob van Meurs. 'Africa', published in 1670, was the least original of the three, both in terms of the text, maps and illustrations. In a similar vein, he issued the 'Atlas Japannensis' (1670), the 'Atlas Chinensis' (1671), and 'Asia' (1673). In 1671, Ogilby published the 'America', translated from Arnold Montanus' Dutch text. The 'America' is certainly the most original, and most important, of Ogilby's various geographical volumes, and its influence and popularity was immediate. With its completion, Ogilby turned to a project nearer his heart, the description of Britain. Ogilby originally intended to devote one volume to Britain, but as the project evolved, he became more ambitious, as revealed in a prospectus issued in about 1672: "This having oblig'd our Author to take new Measures ... to compleat within the space of two Years a Work ... considering the Actual survey of the Kingdom, the Delineation and Dimensuration of the Roads, the Prospects and Ground plots of Cities, with other Ornamentals ... into six fair volumes. The Four first comprehending the historical and geographical description of England, with the County-Maps truly and actually survey'd. ... The fifth containing an Ichnographical and Historical Description of all the Principal Road-ways in England and Wales, in two hundred copper sculptures, after a new and exquisite method. The sixth containing a New and Accurate Description of the famous City of London, with the perfect Ichnography thereof ..." In the proposals, Ogilby emphasised the scale of the undertaking; no-one before him had attempted such a vast project. He estimated the total costs would be £20,000, a staggering amount. The cost of the complete set of six volumes was to be £34. At that time, Wenceslas Hollar...

This antique black ebony wood console, is an example of the fine quality and capability in handcrafting of the Italian 17th Century masters. The top is in a rare black Italian marble...

A collection of six copper plate engravings from John Stalkers "A Treatise of Japanning & Varnishing" 1688. Framed in modern faux bamboo frames, e...

Pretty Scandinavian 70’s rug with nice abstract design and beautiful colors, mechanical manufacturing with wool velvet on cotton foundation. ✨✨✨ "Experience t...

Beautiful elegant antique oval wall mirror. Italian Louis XIV 1680s. Hand carved wood with finely and richly swirls and curls. Antique mercur...

Set of five antique prints depicting various characters such as nymphs. These prints are part of a series titled 'Recueil des meilleurs desseins de Raimond La Fage...

Important antique Italian Louis XIV period cabinet 1680s in walnut wood. Rafined Inlaid decoration on each side. On the front in the upper part six small drawers and a small central ...

One of the best I have come across in almost 30 years of being in this business, Weathered grotesk figures on the terra cotta jardinière, foun...

A pair of oak and tiles nightstand Guillerme et Chambron Edition votre Maison, circa 1960.

Antique map titled 'Novissima et Perfectissima Africae (..)'. Beautiful large map of Africa. This is the 3rd state of the map, with climate notation add...

A very fine late 17th century allegorical Flemish Renaissance Baroque tapestry. Cavaliers Frame measurements: 1.5in.

Description: Antique print religion titled 'Het aanliggen op de Tafel-Bedden; hoedanigen Eetwyse der Assyriers, Persen, Grieken en Romeinen, ook by de Joden in gebruyk geraakt is'. ...

Artist: Cornelis de Bruijn (or de Bruyn); 1652 – 1726/7 was a Dutch artist and traveler. He made two large tours and published illustrated books with his observations of people, buil...

Artist: Cornelis de Bruijn (or de Bruyn); 1652 – 1726/7 was a Dutch artist and traveler. He made two large tours and published illustrated books with his observations of people, buil...

Antique print, titled: 'De Spinneweb Tarantula.' - This original antique print shows spiders of Crete. Dutch text on verso. Source unknown, to be determined. Artists and Engravers...

Pair of Mid-Century Modern end tables designed by Paul McCobb for Planner Group (1960s).

Hallmarked in London in 1693 by Thomas Allen, this handsome pair of William & Mary period, Antique Sterling Silver Candlesticks, are in the traditional fo...

A fine 17th century and later floral marquetry box with hinged lid.  

Description: Antique print, titled: 'Lussa dei sumpto violantur ab arbore pomo, Efficit hoc tacitis vipera saeua dolis.' - This original antique print shows a scene from Genesis in t...

Description: Antique print, titled: 'Reba, Koning der Arabieren (…)' - This plate shows Reba, the King of Arab people. Reba was one of five Midianite kings killed during the ...

Description: Antique print, untitled. Two decorative maps on one sheet of the middle east in biblical times. Source unknown, to be determined. Artists and Engravers: Anonymous...

Description: Antique print, titled: 'To Ralph Macro of Clapton (…)' This original old antique print shows people at an anatomy display with a human skeleton, ecorche, male body. ...

Title: "Veue des Dardanelles de Constantinople, 1693" Description: This historical copper engraving, crafted by Nicholas de Fer between 1646 and 1720 in Paris, is a remarkable depic...

Piccola e rara Cornice Barocca dal nord Italia Scolpita a mano di forma rettangolare in senso orizzontale. La cornice è formata da profonde volute e ...

An early antique English bench offers floral needlepoint upholstered seat over walnut base having carved foliate, scroll and reeded elements, c1690 Measures - 17"h x 19"w x 15.5"d ...

A very well made Oak Tavern Table with peg construction, turned supports and stretcher base. With a smooth time-softened hand, solid construction and great age patina. Dimensions: ...

Beautiful dressing table with a lighted mirror. Cabinet consists of 4 drawers. The material is plastic and lacquered and decorated wood. Every item LA Studio offers is checked by ou...

Italian antique Wooden bookstand with finely worked brass insert, late 1600 Wooden bookstand. bookrest with double support for books, one of which ha...

Antique map titled 'Les Iles du Iapon (..)'. Original antique map, with beautiful (later) hand coloring, of Japan and the Island of Corey (Korea). Uncommon edition, with '234' at top...

Rare pair 18 c. painted banquettes with storage cabinets.

Jean Perzel - A fine pair of mid-century square "Queen's Necklace" flush mounts / ceiling lights made with rough laid glass slabs set between two chrome frames and a bottom white opa...

Crafted in 17th century Spain circa 1670, or probably coming from a private chapel ceiling, the interesting mirror features six carved cherub head figures around the recessed frame, and embellished with high relief motifs in the corners including gargoyle, angel, grotesque and eagle sculptures. The octagonal mirror has the original mercury glass behind the original wood backing; the glass has visible wear spots which give lots of character to the very ancient piece. The Gothic mirror is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use with the original patinated polychrome and green finish with gilt accents around the frame. Place this old antique mirror...

This elegant antique fruitwood console was crafted in Spain, circa 1680. Hand carved on all four sides, the long sofa table stands on five thick turned legs ending with bun feet over...

This elegant, antique candleholder was created in Italy, circa 1680. The tall freestanding candelabra has not been wired but features seven wrought iron curved arms with wood bobeches to hold candles for a dramatic effect. The turned base sits on three curved feet for stability. The Baroque candelabra...

Place this elegant antique coffer at the foot of a king size bed. Crafted in Italy, circa 1680, the rectangular trunk stands on bracket feet. Heavily carved on all three sides with a...

Make a statement on your mantel, enfilade or tabletop with this antique "Haute Epoque" carved santo figure. Created in Spain, circa 1680, the bust is set ...

Antique Tibetan Monk- Quality casting- 18thC or earlier. 5.25 inches tall and HEAVY, 6 5/8 inches tall on a custom stand. Very well cast. Came from a very impressive New York collect...

A MASSIVE STATUARY AND POLYCHROME MARBLE BUST OF AN EMPEROR, PROBABLY ROME, LATE 17TH / EARLY 18TH CENTURY. Incorporating Verde Antico, Nero Belgio and Marmo Africano from ancient s...

A William and Mary Black and Gilt-Japanned and Polychrome-painted pier glass Circa 1689-1702, The flower painting in the manner of Jean-baptiste Monnoyer. The plates and decoration original. Measures: 78 x 29.25in. (198 x 74.5cm). Provenance Probably the Capel-Cure family, Badger hall, Shropshire, house sale 1945, lot 682, £40. Bought on commission by Clarkson of Wolverhampton for Sir Edward Thompson, Gatacre Park, Bridgworth, Shropshire and by descent with the Thompson family at Gatacre Park. Sold Christie’s London, ‘Important English Furniture’ 4th July 2002, lot 131...

This is an antique verger's table top desk. An English, oak ecclesiastical writing table, dating to the William III period, circa 1700. Fascinating example of William III ecclesiastical taste Displays a desirable aged patina and in good order Select oak shows fine grain interest and deep russet hues Presented with a quality wax polish finish Canted lid opens smoothly upon external hinges The lid decorated with press stud initials reading L.P. Trio of internal drawers sit above the generous document tray...

This is an antique verger's desk box. An English, oak ecclesiastical bible case, dating to the William III period, circa 1700. Beautifully presented desk case with fine detail and...

This is an antique bible box. An English, oak chest on stand, dating to the 17th century and later, circa 1690. Captivating William & Mary period chest meets bespoke Victorian stand...

An unusual Indonesian lobbed silver dish Jakarta (Batavia) or Coromandel coast, third quarter 17th century, apparently unmarked The eight lobbed dish exuberantly decorated with floral motifs, with the middle section replaced, consisting of indistinctly marked German silver from the early 19th century, bearing the coat-of-arms of the Von Pfeffel family. Diam. 30.5 cm Weight 461 grams Note: Lobbed silver dishes with exuberant floral decorations were characteristic of the decorative arts in the Netherlands in the first half of the 17th century. This style of floral decoration was adopted by silversmiths as well as by furniture makers working on the Coromandel Coast and in Batavia, often by workers who had fled the Coromandel Coast because of war and famine. In Batavia this style was known as “Custwerck” (work from the Bengal coast). These lobbed dishes are seldom marked. Only after 1667 the use of the town mark became obligatory in Batavia but only for silver made in Batavia not for silver imported in Batavia from other VOC settlements. The engraved coat of arms in the centre is a replacement of the original centre. The coat of arms can be identified as those of Christian Hubert von Pfeffel (1765- 1834). As a diplomat, statesman, ambassador of Bavaria in London and Saxony and councillor to the King of Bavaria, he was made “Freiherr” in 1828 and since then used this coat of arms. His son Karl Maximilian Friederich Hubert Freiherr von Pfeffel (1811-1890) in 1836 married Karoline Adelheid Pauline von Rottenburg (1805-1872), the natural daughter of Prins Paul von Württemberg (1785-1852) and his mistress Margrethe Porth. Paul was the jounger brother of the King Wilhelm I of Württemberg (1781-1864). The heraldic motto of the von Pfeffels Vur Schande habe den Huot means as much as “Beware of Shame”. Christian Hubert Theodoor Marie Karl von Pfeffel Karl Maximilian’s grandson was the last male in the von Pfeffel line. His daughter, Marie Louise (Paris in 1882 - Cornwall 1944), born and grown-up in France, changed her name in de Pfeffel. She was the great grandmother of Boris Alexander de Pfeffel Johnson, the present British Secretary of State. None of the members of the von Pfeffel family had any direct links with the Dutch East Indies but indirectly by way of the Royal House of Württemberg they did. Sophia Frederika Mathilda von Württemberg (1818-1877), daughter of Wilhelm I King of Württemberg, in 1839 married Willem III...

An unusual Indian half-relief carved ebony armchair Coromandel coast, 1680-1700 ? Throughout carved with floral and vine motifs, the back rail with a central peony and ...

Two fine Japanese Arita Amsterdam decorated or 'clobbered' bottles Edo period late 17th-early 18th century The smaller one is decorated with a lambrequin and under it, one perched, one flying pheasant and a fly among prunus, peony and bamboo, the larger one with on the belly also one flying, one perched pheasant and a fly and in addition a butterfly amongst tree peony and chrysanthemums under a frieze on the shoulder of cartouches with floral decoration. ? H. 21 cm, content: 1.4 liter H. 27.5 cm, content: 2.2 liter Note: These bottles arrived undecorated in the Netherlands where they were decorated in the Chinoiserie and Kakiemon style with red, green, blue, black, yellow and aubergine enamels and sometimes with gold. “Dutch” decorated white Arita bottles are often called “Amsterdam’s bont...

An Indian ebony low chair formerly owned by the Duke of Westminster Coromandel coast, possibly Madras, 1680-1700 Overall densely carved with an array of mermaids, birds, fish, mythological figures and floral and vine motifs, the back-rails are centered by a parrot (the attribute of Kama, the Hindu god of love) below a scallop shell (an attribute of Aphrodite/Venus) with a fleur-de-lis (a symbol of the Virgin Mary), the shell supported by two small human figures and a pair of mermaids, another Western element, but also a representation of the Hindu snake goddess...

A rare silver reliquary arm with relic bone, with the coat-of-arms of Cosme Roger (1671-1710), bishop of Lombez, France, with original bone relic Poss...

An extremely fine and important Japanese lacquer cabinet with gilt-copper mounts for the European market Edo period, late 17th century The pictorial style decorated rectangular...

The Van Mekeren cabinet: A Newly Discovered Pinnacle by the Master of Marquetry The highly important Dutch marquetry Van Mekeren cabinet Amsterdam, circa 1700, by Jan van Mekeren...

A strongbox was a type of travelling chest and these types of boxes were more common in England than anywhere else where they were fabricated between 1660 and 1720. The earliest proo...

An Indonesian Sono keeling or Javanese rosewood foliate cabinet on stand or Rankenkast Jakarta (Batavia), late 17th century Measures: H 173 x W 133 x D 51 cm The front of this cabinet is decorated with three carved swags of fruits and flowers coming out of cherub’s heads, a long drawer under two doors and two shelves behind the doors. Usually, this type cabinet...

A MOLUCCAN RED EBONY CENTRE TABLE WITH MARBLE TOP The Moluccas/Ambon, third quarter 17th century Carved in low-relief with decoration of plant...

A Japanese Arita blue and white porcelain VOC dish. Arita, late 17th century Measure: Diameter 32.1 cm These dishes, ordered by the VOC during the second half of the 17th century, were copied after the popular Chinese Wanli ‘Kraak’ porcelain...