About Hastening Designs
Hastening Designs is a direct importer of 18th and 19th century French provincial, Italian, English furniture and art objects. Located in the 250 year old village of Middleburg, Virginia, an hour west of Washington DC, in a neighborhood of grand equestrian estates, hunt fields, and celebrated vineyards, we maintain a spacious showroom and interior design studio. Owner and principal designer, Louis Shields has been involved in the creative process of art and design all his life. He was a natural artist from an early age. He studied painting at the University of Alabama,...Read More
Established in 19861stDibs seller since 2009
Featured Pieces
Early 20th Century German Two Bird Singing Automaton
Located in Middleburg, VA
Early 20th Century Musical Birds Automaton Two automated singing birds with strong voices and flamboyant plumage amidst foliage in a gilded brass cage. The Birds Take turns singing ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Bird Cages
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century Musical Bird Automaton
Located in Middleburg, VA
automated yellow singing bird with a strong voice and flamboyant plumage amidst foliage in a gilded brass cage. Made in West Germany circa 1930.
Category
Early 20th Century German Bird Cages
Materials
Brass
German Two Bird Singing Automaton
Located in Middleburg, VA
Two automated singing birds with strong voices and flamboyant plumage amidst foliage in a gilded brass cage. The Birds Take turns singing to each other. West Germany circa 1900.
Category
Early 20th Century German Bird Cages
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century Musical Bird Automaton
Located in Middleburg, VA
An automated singing bird with a strong voice and flamboyant plumage amidst foliage in a gilded brass cage. Germany, circa 1920.
This beautiful, vintage songbird collectible will ad...
Category
Early 20th Century Bird Cages
Materials
Metal, Brass
Late 18th Century George III Chippendale Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Middleburg, VA
Made of richly patinated Honduras mahogany, this late 18th century English writing desk features a hand-tooled gilded red leather top framed with finely carved molding. Two beautiful...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Desks
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Beautiful 19th Century French Provincial Chandelier
Located in Middleburg, VA
Made of intricately hand-wrought iron and set with unusual round solid crystals, this French Provincial chandelier originates from the South of France, circa 1860.
Category
Antique 19th Century French Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Crystal, Iron
Extraordinary 18th Century Louis XV French Provincial Bookcase
Located in Middleburg, VA
A pair of beautifully carved doors are centered on a kneehole beneath a central section with a carved door and four carved drawers, all set beneath an arched alcove. The composition ...
Category
Antique 18th Century French Bookcases
Materials
Walnut
Late Renaissance 16th Century Italian Credenza
Located in Middleburg, VA
Made of Circassian Walnut with a rich patination and glowing depth of color.
A single drawer over a single cupboard door above boldly carved mouldings and "Lions Paw" feet. Carved Mo...
Category
Antique 16th Century Italian Credenzas
Materials
Walnut
18th Century "Comb Back" English Windsor Armchair
Located in Middleburg, VA
Typical of Windsor Chairs Made around High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire in the late 18th century. Made of Ash and Cherrywood with a one piece "Burled Elm" Seat over Elegant Cabriole le...
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century English Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Early 18th Century George Il "Bureau Bookcase"
Located in Middleburg, VA
Made of deeply patinated walnut. Crowned with a dentil cornice above original arched mirrored doors retaining the original gilded carved moulding.
Flanked by fluted columns with two ...
Category
Antique Early 18th Century English Bookcases
Materials
Walnut, Mirror
19th Century French Provincial "Papier Mache" Sculpture of a Bull
Located in Middleburg, VA
Extraordinary Realistic Muscular details and Anatomy. A beautiful Patination though remarkably light weight. Made in the Massif Central region of France circa 1840
Category
Antique 19th Century French Animal Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood, Paper
19th century Indian "Paan Daan" Reticulated Copper Box
Located in Middleburg, VA
Made in India - Extraordinary Craftsmanship Reticulated and originally silver plated. Circa 1820
Category
Antique 19th Century Indian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Copper
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