Consider it the ultimate royal seal of approval: When the young Linley founder, David Linley, made a decorative box as a teenager — a project he’d crafted at Bedales School that impressed his teacher — it was proudly passed around as a cigar box at parties by the Queen Mother. Of course, the royal treatment makes a bit more sense when you consider that the Queen was simply grandmother to the future furniture designer Linley, formally David Albert Charles Armstrong-Jones, second earl of Snowdon, son of Princess Margaret and photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones.
Born in London, Linley was creative from an early age — a characteristic eagerly encouraged at home with his parents and at Kensington Palace with the extended family. After completing his studies in carpentry and design at Parnham House in 1982, Linley set up his first studio. Within three years he had moved to King’s Road in Chelsea and, with his friend painter and designer Matthew Rice, officially cofounded Linley, a source for luxury furniture and accessories and bespoke carpentry and millwork.
The brand was a quick success. When Linley presented its first line at Christie’s in 1985 — a collection of furniture and more called “Venetian,” which was inspired by the Italian city’s grandiose Gothic architecture — the entire lot sold out on the day of its presentation. Besides Linley the brand being a commercial success, Linley the founder was somewhat of a marvel: At the time, the designer was the first of the royal family to undertake any sort of vocational work, let alone establish their own brand.
David Linley’s furniture has become known over the years for its fine craftsmanship, detailed marquetry and inlay and use of rare and exquisite woods. His tables, seating, other furnishings and decorative objects owe consistently to traditional methods and conventions as often as they do clean modernity. The designer has long looked to Chippendale furniture as well as other styles that gained prominence during the 18th century as much as he has toward the future.
Now, in addition to its furniture, accessories and custom millwork, Linley operates an interior design business, outfitting homes (and a few cars and yachts) in the brand’s singularly chic style. And while the company’s output is marked by style, craftsmanship still comes first: “I’m a maker, not a designer,” the earl once proclaimed.
Find a collection of David Linley furniture on 1stDibs.
STUNNING BRAND NEW IN THE BOX ViSCOUNT DAVID LINLEY CUT GLASS CRYSTAL CAVIAR SET
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exquisite brand new in the original box with the original packaging materials, Viscount David Linley Cu...
Crystal
SUBLIME ViSCOUNT DAVID LINLEY STERLING SILVER GENTLEMANS SHOOTING COMPENDIUM
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite, highly collectable Viscount David Linley Gentleman's Shooting Compendium with Edi...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Edwardian Period Sterling Silver-Mounted Claret Jug
By John Sherwood & Sons 1
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian Period, sterling silver-mounted hobnail cut claret jug having a hinged lid, Birmingham, England, year-hallmarked for 1908, John Sherwood and Sons - makers. Lovely, graceful...
Sterling Silver
$1,065 / set
H 1.58 in Dm 5.4 in
Set of 2 New Old Stock Murano Opaline Glass Shell Bowl by Cenedese, 1960s
By Cenedese
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano opaline bowl set of 2 Design: Gino Cenedese Producer: Cenedese Vetri (marked underneath the vase) Origin: Murano, Italy Decade: 196...
Murano Glass
$1,200
H 3.94 in W 9.07 in D 9.07 in
Silver Plate and Crystal Caviar Bowl Dish Server by Vetrerie di Empoli
By Vetrerie di Empoli
Located in Atlanta, GA
Designed by the prestigious Vetrerie di Empoli in Italy for their exclusive Griffe Collection, this exceptional silver plate and crystal caviar server embodies timeless sophisticatio...
Silver Plate
Rare Antique English Oak & Solid Sterling Silver Tray, 1904
By Martin Hall & Co.
Located in Bath, GB
A rare opportunity to acquire an Edwardian Oak tray with solid silver fittings, rather than silver plate usually found. Everything you see in "silver" is solid English silver, a good heavy gauge, there is a good weight of silver here, there are many hallmarks for Sheffield 1904 together with the maker's mark for the well renowned Martin Hall. Richard Martin & Ebenezer Hall (Martin, Hall & Co.) The original firm was formed in Sheffield in the year 1820 by Henry Wilkinson and John Roberts who traded as Wilkinson & Roberts. The firm's chronology is: John Roberts (1836), Roberts & Hall ( 1846), Martin Hall & Co (1854), Martin Hall & Co Ltd (1866-1936). Martin Hall & Co was one of the best known British manufacturers and participated to many international exhibitions including the Crystal Palace 1851 Great Exhibition...
Sterling Silver
Lalique Caviar Cup Crystal France XX Century
Located in Milano, IT
Crystal caviar cup with shaped base in the shape of three marine animals. Inside, satin cup on metal support and lid with fish-shaped grip. Brand of the man...
Crystal
Silver Plate and Crystal Caviar Bowl Dish Server by Gelb, Paris in Box
By Gelb
Located in Atlanta, GA
A modernist silver plate and crystal caviar serving bowl, dish, or chiller designed by French silversmith Gelb in the 1980s. Sophisticated design with a streamlined geometric shape, ...
Crystal, Metal, Silver Plate
$248Sale Price / set|44% Off
H 6 in Dm 9.5 in
Set of 3 Mid Century Pyrex Glass Bowls, Fire King Brand- Red Dot decor
Located in San Francisco, CA
A wonderful set of three milk glass w. red dot, serving bowls. The bowls are in rather good condition for their age and use. No chips. Large is 9.5" diameter x 6" height Med. is 8.5"...
Milk Glass
$710 / item
H 3.55 in W 5.52 in D 5.52 in
Caviar Bowl and Spoon in Venetian Glass, Corno Italiano & Lacquered wood Mod 295
By Arcahorn Srl.
Located in Recanati, Macerata
Synonymous with luxury, caviar is a great gastronomic indulgence that requires to be served and tasted in a proper way. Handcrafted from Venetian glass, our caviar bowl is distinguis...
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
Antique Unger Sterling Silver & Brilliant-Cut Glass Flask
By Unger Brothers
Located in New York, NY
Turn-of-the-century sterling silver and brilliant-cut glass flask Made by Unger Bros in Newark. Rectilinear with curved sides and diaper inset with alternating paterae and diaper. Threaded sterling...
Sterling Silver
Lalique Crystal Igor Caviar Serving Bowl Set
By Lalique
Located in Vilnius, LT
French Lalique crystal Igor douphin caviar serving bowl set consists of four items. The bowl is decorated with matte surface fish motives, engraved elements. Signed both on main and ...
Crystal
$895
H 5 in W 8.25 in D 8.25 in
Tiffany & Co. "Louis Comfort Tiffany Collection" Art Deco Cut Crystal Bowl
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Art Deco style cut crystal bowl By Tiffany & Co., "Louis Comfort Tiffany Collection" USA, Circa Late 20th Century Measures: 8.25"W x 8.25"D x 5"H. Very good original v...
Crystal
$650 / set
H 2.75 in Dm 4.32 in
St James Brazil Silver Plate and Crystal Caviar Bowl Dish Server Duo, 2 pieces
By St. James
Located in Atlanta, GA
A modernist silver plate and crystal caviar serving bowl duo—also suitable as chiller dishes—designed by renowned silversmith St James Brazil. The duo pieces were meticulously crafte...
Crystal, Metal, Silver Plate