Consider it the ultimate royal seal of approval: When the young LINLEY founder, David Linley (b. 1961), 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 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.
LINLEY has become known over the years for its fine craftsmanship, detailed marquetry and inlay and use of rare and exquisite woods. Its case pieces, 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 its output is marked by style, craftsmanship still comes first: “I’m a maker, not a designer,” the earl once proclaimed.
Find a collection of LINLEY furniture on 1stDibs.
David Linley Dice Armchairs in chocolate brown leather by LINLEY, London
By LINLEY London, David Linley
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Pair of Dice Armchairs designed by David Linley for LINLEY, London. Good original condition with slight traces of use, mainly on the wooden frames.
Leather, Wood
$245,031
Highclere Castle Jewellery Box
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
Over the years, British design company Linley has developed expertise in creating scaled versions of famous architectural buildings including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Opera House. In this instance, Highclere Castle...
Maple
Modern Girih Treasure Chest Tall Cabinet in Satinwood Marquetry and Sycamore
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
Back in October 2016, on one of his many travels to the Persian Gulf in his role as Honorary Chairman of Christie’s Europe Middle East, Russia and India, David Linley’s fascination with Islamic art and architecture was reignited. A photograph of a vibrant tile mosaic pattern was sent back to the LINLEY studio on Pimlico Road, inspiring the design of the spectacular Girih Treasure Chest. The Girih Treasure Chest explores Islamic pattern through detailed wooden marquetry in brilliant sapphire blue and rich gold tones. Girih is an Islamic decorative art form consisting of geometric lines that create an interlaced framework. As if a precious stone in a delicate claw setting, the chest perches on a simple sycamore frame which is supported by a forged brass metal stretcher. As the center of the design lies an eight-pointed star, taken from a beautiful mosaic tile pattern that caught the eye of LINLEY Founder and Chairman David Linley on a visit to Doha, Qatar back in October 2015. Adorning all façades of the chest, the pattern is created using a specially dyed deep blue ripple sycamore...
Gold Leaf
$111,625 / item
Vortex Cabinet
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
The Vortex cabinet is as much a work of art and a puzzle as it is an item of furniture. Covered in a veneer of Sycamore and Santos rosewood, the marquetry design challenges the perceptions of a usual cabinet. An optical illusion with seemingly no discernible doors or drawers, beautiful in its own right but deceiving in its initial impression of functionality. With buttons hidden within the marquetry, the secret doors...
Rosewood, Sycamore
$163,354
Yeo Daybed by LINLEY London
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
A daring and original piece of furniture designed by British artist Jonathan Yeo, structurally engineered by expert technicians and manufactured by LINLEY...
Steel, Brass
$183,773
Quantum Bar
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
The charcoal oak exterior of this bar is segmented by a copper stringing pattern which directs the path of the wood grain. Within the bar, the copper shelving provides a striking co...
Copper
$27,157 / item
Savoy Chair
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
The Savoy rotating tub chair is handcrafted in our British workshops using traditional methods. Classically made, the chair has hand-tied springs with a sprung cane edge. The foam co...
Velvet, Walnut
Contemporary World Map Center Table in Walnut with High Gloss Finish
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
The unique Linley World Map table is hand-crafted by our specialist craftsmen in the UK using over 40 individually selected veneers. The main body of the table is created out of stained Fulbeck walnut in a high gloss finish. The base features elegant nickel stringing. The table’s inlay is a combination of ripple sycamore...
Nickel
Contemporary Rifle Chair in Walnut and Brushed Brass and Polished Aluminum
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
Complementing the Fulbeck desk is the elegant rifle chair. Crafted in walnut, engineered brushed brass and polished aluminium, the curved seat rest of the ...
Aluminum, Brass
Large Viscount David Linley Burr Walnut Satinwood & Sycamore Overmantle Mirror
By LINLEY London, David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this absolutely exquisite original stamped Viscount David Linley overmantel wall mirror in Sycamore, burr walnut and satinwood The mirror truly is impres...
Satinwood, Sycamore, Walnut
$129,322
Caprea Low Bar
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
Limited Edition of 2. The Caprea Low Bar, crafted in dark grey Oak, polished metal, and ripple Sycamore, stands as a testament to design excellence. Its surface showcases a captivati...
Nickel
$122,515 / item
Cocktail Cabinet
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
Inspired by our popular Trafalgar cocktail box, this elegant cocktail cabinet has been handcrafted in hand-dyed charcoal veneers of ripple and straight sycamore. The eglomisé surface has a nickel trim and is highlighted with mother-of-pearl champagne dots. The bleach ripple interior is lined with shelving designed for storing crystal and trays. Contains - six Trafalgar olive sticks, six magnetic coasters, silver ice tongs, silver cocktail swizzle stick...
Mirror, Sycamore
$9,886 / item
H 30.71 in W 29.14 in D 41.74 in
Saddle Old Brown Armchair in Genuine Vintage Brown Leather
Located in Paris, FR
Armchair saddle old brown with wooden structure in vintage brown leather with stirrups and handcrafted leather.
Leather, Wood
$5,387
H 14.18 in W 16.15 in D 11.42 in
Antique English Victorian Decanter Humidor Games Box Compendium
Located in Northampton, GB
Dating to the late 19th Century Circa 1900 From our Games Boxes collection, we are delighted to offer this Victorian Entertainment Compendium. The Compendiu...
Mahogany, Cedar
Antique Jewelry Box Art Deco Period
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful antique Art Deco period jewelry box, styled by Jacques Kreisler, circa early-20th Century, New York, New York. Box is an aubergine ...
Metal
Miniature Rosewood Wellington Chest
Located in Folkestone, GB
A charming early 19th century rosewood five drawer miniature Wellington chest with a stepped rectangular top above five graduated drawers wh...
Rosewood
Chinese Reverse Glass Treasure Chest. c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
As much an artwork as a piece of furniture, this 19th-century treasure chest from northern China is richly decorated with relief carvings and delicate gilt paintings. The doors bear ...
Glass, Elm
French Walnut & Satinwood Bar Cabinet
Located in Queens, NY
French Mid-Century (1940s) walnut & satinwood inlaid diamond design bar cabinet on platform base with swirled legs and bronze detail. (fully fitted interior/glass top)
Bronze
Aldo Tura Goatskin Books Bar Cabinet
By Aldo Tura
Located in Munich, DE
Wonderful sculptural bar cabinet made by Aldo Tura in the 1960s. The Trompe l'oeil painted goatskin surface seems in a three-dimensional book shelf based on a tanned pearwood x base....
Goatskin, Mirror, Pearwood
Matching Teak Cabinets
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of mid-century office cabinets in teak wood. Great for modern home or office storage. Please confirm location NY or NJ.
Teak
Iron Strong Box Treasure Chest
Located in Ferndale, MI
Iron strong box treasure chest, nicely crafted case and mechanism. Original key included . Possibly stage coach item .
Steel, Wrought Iron, Iron
Danish Viking Bar Cabinet
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A very unusual, hand painted bar cabinet, as a Danish Viking, made in Italy. Striking naive/modern style, humorous and direct. The back is finished and ...
Wood
Faye Toogood, Roly-Poly Daybed Raw, Fiberglass, London, 2018
By Faye Toogood
Located in Barcelona, ES
Faye Toogood Roly-poly daybed raw London, 2018 Fiberglass Edition of 4 of 8 Measurements: 200cm wide x 85cm deep x 90cm height 78.74in wide x 33.46in deep x 35.43in height...
Fiberglass
Mid Century Cabinet in the Form of Bass Cello Great Storage
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous bass Cello storage cabinet. Has 4 shelves that are 5 x 5 x 10.5. Door opens and closes with ease. Well made, high quality. In excellent vintage con...
Iron
Double Tantalus with Lead Crystal Decanters by Linley
By LINLEY London
Located in London, London
Double Tantalus By Linley Walnut Frame Matching lead crystal decanters marked Linley on top Silver escutcheon plate with hall marks No key This beautifully crafted tantalus by ...
Crystal, Silver
Sold
H 65.36 in Dm 15.36 in
21st Century Swing Arm Floor Lamp with Floating American Walnut Table by Linley
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
This is a rare LINLEY London swing arm floor lamp from the early noughties. Made from solid cast brass with a spun brass weighted base in Polished Nickel...
Brass, Nickel
David Linley Walnut Folding Butlers Tray Tea Table
By LINLEY London
Located in Norwich, GB
A David Linley English walnut "butler's" tray, standing on a folding stand. Stamped twice "Linley." Circa 1990's. Made in solid walnut, it has a veneered burr figured book match w...
Walnut, Burl
Vortex Cabinet
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
The Vortex Cabinet is as much a work of art and a puzzle as it is an item of furniture. Covered in a veneer of Sycamore and Santos rosewood, the marquetry design challenges the perceptions of a usual cabinet. An optical illusion with seemingly no discernible doors or drawers, beautiful in its own right but deceiving in its initial impression of functionality. With buttons hidden within the marquetry, the secret doors...
Rosewood, Sycamore
Slimline Odyssey Desk
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
Inspired by the curves of our Odyssey Desk, The Slimline Odyssey desk is handcrafted from grey figured anegre. The desk has polished brass metalwork and a...
Brass
Contemporary Jackie Tsai Decorative Box in Walnut
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
An exclusive collaboration between the iconic contemporary artist Jacky Tsai and Linley. Our designers have reinterpreted one of Tsai's brilliant designs in a selection of specially dyed marquetry veneers on a limited edition box. Inspired by his 2013 Poker Skull print, Tsai's work is a skilful fusion of Chinese artistic techniques and references to western Pop Art. The Jacky Tsai x LINLEY Box...
Walnut
Hexagonal Gueridon Designed by David Linley in 1991
By David Linley, LINLEY London
Located in Brussels, BE
Hexagonal gueridon designed by David Linley in 1991.
Glass, Oak
Sold
H 32.09 in W 21.66 in D 21.66 in
Contemporary Rifle Chair in Walnut and Brushed Brass and Polished Aluminum
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
Complementing the Fulbeck desk is the elegant rifle chair. Crafted in walnut, engineered brushed brass and polished aluminium, the curved seat rest of the ...
Aluminum, Brass
Contemporary Fulbeck Writing Table or Desk in Walnut with Brass
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
A departure from the traditional pedestal desks for which Linley was once renowned, the Fulbeck desk is designed for a contemporary office environment and collaborative form of working. It blends traditional and digital luxury, with cleverly incorporated charging points and battery cells so that the desk can be ‘charged’ via a power source and then used free-standing during meetings. The form of the desk is light and fluid, with the body appearing to hover over the finely-crafted legs. Its smooth underbelly follows the gentle curve of a stock of a shotgun and facilitates space for internal storage and three secret drawers which are lined in claret Connolly Vaumol leather. Subtle checkering detailing on the end of the desk’s body and legs references the finishing touches in gun making and is tactile to the touch. The Fulbeck Desk was created using English walnut sourced exclusively from the Fulbeck Estate in Lincolnshire. Recorded as the third largest walnut in the country, it was estimated to be between three and four hundred years old before it was blown down in the great storm of 2007. The LINLEY designers carefully hand-selected each piece of veneer to best display the beautiful ripple grain in the wood. Running down the centre of the desk is a striking brushed brass plate, intricately hand-engraved by Dr Malcolm Appleby...
Brass
Odyssey Desk, Blue
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
The stunning Odyssey desk is created in elegant hand dyed blue eucalyptus and grey pama finished with bespoke broze handles wrapped in navy leather and a ...
Bronze
Vortex Cabinet
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
The Vortex Cabinet is as much a work of art and a puzzle as it is an item of furniture. Covered in a veneer of Sycamore and Santos rosewood, the marquetry design challenges the perceptions of a usual cabinet. An optical illusion with seemingly no discernible doors or drawers, beautiful in its own right but deceiving in its initial impression of functionality. With buttons hidden within the marquetry, the secret doors...
Rosewood, Sycamore
Writing Desk Designed by David Linley in 1991
By LINLEY London, David Linley
Located in Brussels, BE
Writing desk designed by David Linley in 1991.
Oak