Hardwood Historical Memorabilia

A charming set of three boxed coin shaped medallions celebrating the silver jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887. The medallions of rounded shape are each contained in a turned boxwood ...

A very rare Scottish Mauchline wooden postal ruler and paper folder decorated with a scene of the beach & cliffs in cromer, norfolk and probably dating from the mid 19th century. While originally made as souvenir items this ruler also provides a real insight to postal history. The ruler is of flat shape with rounded ends and a smooth edge and is decorated with scroll work designs to either end and on both sides and the main side is printed POSTAL RULER AND PAPER FOLDER with a printed section titled THE PARCELS POST providing instructions and costs of sending parcels and on the opposite side titled BILL STAMPS with a list of values and costs. The ruler also has a printed 8” (20cm) measuring edge both top and bottom, one titled English Inches and the other French Centimetres. On the opposite side the ruler has a central transfer scene titled THE BEACH & CLIFFS, CROMER with a four sections the first titled LETTER POST...

Huge 18th C. Venetian Larger Then California King Bed Crest Finials Panel Board. Imposing circa 1700’s Venetian bed detailed with cartouches. Composed of two smaller frames. Exquisit...

This is an antique decorative truncheon. A Scottish, beech Edinburgh police baton with handpainted detail, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1850. Fa...

An 18th century wax seal in brass with boxwood handle with a nice aged old patina Important noble coat of arms Height 8.5 cm, surface area of the seal 3 cm, diameter top boxwood gri...

For sale a very rare early 19th century infants coffin carrier, this would of been housed on a horse and cart hearse. The casket has a decorative wrought...

PRESENTING a FANTASTIC and HISTORIC Early 19C American Hepplewhite Virginian Secretary Chest with OUTSTANDING Provenance. This Secretary Chest was made in Virginia in the Early 19th Century, circa 1810. It is made of cherry, walnut and maple and is most definitely in the Hepplewhite Style of the period, with it’s original Hepplewhite brass drawer pulls. IT IS A REALLY INTRIGUING AND HISTORIC PIECE, ESPECIALLY, WHEN VIEWED IN CONTEXT WITH IT”S AMAZING PROVENANCE! This piece was originally owned by Major William Alexander Obenchain who ‘hailed’ from the State of Virginia. He was an engineer and was in the Virginia Corps of Engineers during the Civil War and served on General Robert E. Lee’s staff. It was acquired by him before the Civil War and we believe that this piece was on campaign with him during the War. We know for a fact that he fought at the Richmond Campaign in 1864, as we have, in our Collection, his original Field Map for that Campaign which ended the War. It has remained in family ownership ever since. It has come directly from the Family Estate, together with other VERY IMPORTANT items belonging to Major Obenchain and other IMPORTANT items that belonged to his wife, Eliza Calvert Hall-Obenchain. ALL these items contained in the Collection, are listed/posted individually on our Website. The top drawer is on retractable curved side hinge supports and pulls outwards and drops to reveal a secretary and writing area. The Bureau/Secretary Gallery has 6 drawers and 6 cubbies, a central tabernacle door with another drawer and 2 cubbies and this is flanked by 2 secret pull out compartments. The central tabernacle door has it’s original key and working lock. Closed, it is almost ‘flush’ like the rest of the drawers, with some very minor bowing through age. The 3 drawers underneath are graduated in size and it ends with a serpentine shaped base and sits on four hand carved legs with original metal casters, marked ‘Universal 3’. It has it’s original brasses and hardware throughout, save the addition to 2 contemporary replacement brass hinges to the drop down desk front, as the original hinges were broken, could not be repaired and were not supporting the weight of the drop down leaf. Some minor repairs but not noticeable. Otherwise, the piece is in it’s entirely, ORIGINAL condition! What makes this piece even MORE INTRIGUING and APPEALING HISTORICALLY, are the 2 ‘historic’ circular holes on the piece:- (1) in the back of the piece as seen in the photos. This hole is not symmetrical or fully round and appears to serve no purpose to the piece whatsoever. Sometimes, pieces have holes for wiring for lighting, put in them over the years, but this one never had such lighting or, indeed, any such explanation for this hole, AND (2) the rear hole is replicated, in the corner portion of the bottom drawer and someone (a very long time ago) has used a tin can top, to cover the hole in the back of the drawer. The tin can top is period to the Civil War Era and is embossed “Minimum Volume 1 Pint”. Our conclusion, is that (whilst we are, by no means ballistic experts) that these holes were created by musket balls, fired during one of the Major’s campaigns in the Civil War. It is entirely conceivable that this piece, being strapped into a covered wagon for carriage, would have been on it’s side. We are of the opinion that both holes, were caused or created by a musket ball entered the chest trough the base and back. We also believe that ‘the Major’, used what he had at his disposal on the battlefield, namely, a tin can lid to repair the hole in the drawer. SO THIS PIECE IS A VERY SPECIAL PIECE OF US HISTORY, INDEED! NOT ONLY IS IT AN EARLY 19th CENTURY AMERICAN PIECE, WITH A CONNECTION TO THE STATE OF VIRGINIA, THE CIVIL WAR, HISTORIC & IMPORTANT FIGURES IN THAT WAR AND IMPECCABLE PROVENANCE AND HISTORY! IT IS TRULY UNIQUE! William Alexander Obenchain. Born April 27, 1841 at Buchanan, Botetourt Co., Virginia. Parents: Thomas Jefferson Obenchain and Elizabeth Ann Sweetland. Entered VMI on July 18, 1859 as a member of the VMI (Virginia Military Institute...

Mid Century Modern German record player, radio by Siemens , 1950s The radio is in fully functional. Dimensions: 43 D x 120 W x 111 H It is in good vintage condition, however,...

Rare antique salvaged Col. Ebenezer Crafts' Publick House of Sturbridge, Massachusetts, est. 1771 sign. Wood construction hand painted in white with black and white lettering around ...

Chinese innovations in ink, block printing and movable type fed the technological push toward expanding the written word's range of influence throughout the world. This printing push...

This pair of early Victorian three-stage bronze signal cannon are set on elm carriages with bronze fittings. Each 39 inch tapering barrel has one reduction and a ball cascabel. Th...

Three mortice chisels, all with sturdy ash handles by Sorby & Co with steel blades, two stamped T. Turton & Sons, another by Sorby & Co, one also stamped Sheaf Works and all bearing the initial W.D for the War Department, dated 1862. English. Footnote: These three chisels represent three of the most famous firms from the great age of steel manufacturing in Sheffield. Sorby & Co was founded in 1828 and remains a world leading manufacturer and exporter of specialist woodworking tools and equipment. William...

Denmark, circa 1950s. Staved teak bowl designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. A midcentury re-interpretation of the traditional wooden Quaich. Measures: 10 5/8 inches high, 10 inches...

Antique industrial block and tackle pulley / hook by Madesco Products, circa 1930s. The two piece system is in good vintage condition and the larger piece measures 5"W x 4.5"D x 15"H...

Antique sword stick with carved head Wear consistent with age and use Antique decorative weapon Measures : Socle 5,5cmx45cm - Sword stick 2,5cmx43cm

Collection of Treen Kitchenalia, Butter Marker This is a great little Collection of Treen Kitchenalia, a Butter Marker, this has a naive cow carving, a lemon squeezer and a turned sycamore egg cup A good set for the collector, a bit of historical wood worm on the butter Stamp...

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite, silk Royal Opera Programme to Commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Queen Victorias...

An early 20th-century sign for Rav Naftali Horowitz in Boro Park, New York for the diverse Jewish population who emigrated to New York in that period. Painted in green, black, and o...

1990s style open armchair made in Italy Size H. 29 .5" x W. 21.5, sold as is in raw unfinished beechwood Only one left.  

An early 19th century coach panel, larger than the norm, oil on board of an armorial centred by a typical shield, drapes and a warriors arm holding a s...

This beautiful maple and ebony compendium box has a hinged lid and a pair of front doors that swing open to reveal the boxwood and ebony hand-carved chess pieces. Each chess piece si...

A decoration from 1950s France in solid beech and plywood. The graphic silhouette, reminiscent of the door of a vehicle, evokes the streamlined shapes of the golden age of car design...

Early 19th Century Sycamore Butter Curler This beautiful piece has been hand carved in the Georgian style, with a double curved shape and a ribbed blad...

A very odd Victorian collection of curiosity, a section of the tree that the Scottish physician, congregationalist and pioneer Christian missionary David Livingston was buried under ...

We are delighted to offer for sale this important, one of a kind, R Crosby & Son, Victorian Aesthetic Movement, Burr Elm and Oak Wellington Chest of Drawers housing 160 Sulphur casts...

Console table with carved mirror 1920's marble Mirror Antique. Antique Italian console table from the early 1900s, made of walnut, carved with many curls. Large antique mirror, ma...

3-642 brass and silver button collection encased in a wood frame set on a green velvet board.

19th Century Noble Gilt wooden Family photo Frame, American History A gilded wooden family portrait frame with the Calhoun/Colquhoun family coat of arms. This portrait frame probably ended up in the Netherlands through the marriage of the American Julia Johnson Calhoun (1884-1970) in 1914 to Mr. Justinus Egbertus Hendericus baron van Nagell (1882-1963). The list contains three portrait photos of presumably members of the Calhoun family. The American statesman John Caldwell Calhoun (1782-1850) descended from a Scottish noble family with the name Colquhoun, who settled in the United States in the 18th century and achieved great prestige there. He started his career as a lawyer, married the daughter of an influential senator and was elected to the House of Representatives. After serving as Secretary of War, he became Vice President under President John Quincy Adams from 1825-1829 and then served a second term under President Andrew Jackson. This makes him one of only two American vice presidents to have served under two different presidents. His grandson, John Caldwell Calhoun (1843-1918), was a successful American businessman, landowner and managing director of the Baltimore Coal Mining and Railway Company. He married Linnie Adams, second cousin of US Vice President Richard Johnson. Their only daughter, Julia Johnson Calhoun (1884-1970), made her debut in New York and met mr. Justinus Egbertus Hendericus baron van Nagell (1882-1963), who was attached to the Dutch legation in Washington in diplomatic service. He descended from an old noble family from Westphalia, whose ancestor was first mentioned in 1385. In the 16th century, an ancestor settled in the Netherlands and in 1814 the family was included in the Dutch nobility with the title of baron. He grew up at Schaffelaar Castle in Barneveld and his father was mayor in this castle and he was also Grand Commander of the Knightly German Order. At the end of the 19th century, a real boom in marriages of wealthy American heirs to European nobility started. It was the 'Gilded Age', described in e.g., the books of Edith Wharton, in which millions of dollars crossed the Atlantic as a dowry. New money and European nobility bonded. One of the most famous marriages was that of Consuelo Vanderbilt to the English Duke of Marlborough. The Vanderbilt millions repaired the roof of Blenheim Palace and the gardens here were recreated in the French style. It prompted a visitor to remark: “American money has its use after all.” The Van Nagell-Calhoun wedding became a real social event in the winter of 1914 at the start of the nightlife season – one newspaper ran the headline GAYETIES OF WINTER SOCIAL SEASON BEGIN THIS WEEK – and newspapers detailed all the details. The bridal staff included the Dutch Count Van Rechteren Limpurg and as witness for the groom was Jonkheer De Beaufort, who was secretary of the Dutch legation in Washington. Baron Van Nagell had a glorious career in the diplomatic service, which over the years took him from Beijing to Washington and St Petersburg. Here he experienced the Russian Revolution in Saint Petersburg in 1917 up close. One evening he was sitting with company at a table in a restaurant. A waiter brought the bill to a group of Russian communists next to them. The bill did not like this, whereupon the waiter was shot dead. After Saint Petersburg, London, Bucharest, and Stockholm followed, where he finally became envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary. The couple had three children: one daughter was born stillless and the only son and heir died in 1944 as a res. -2nd lieutenant pilot in the Royal Air Force over France. A second daughter married a jonkheer Clifford Kocq van Breugel...

A very nice pair of antique hardwood juggling pins, circa 1900s. The pair are in good vintage condition and measure 3.5"D x 19"H. They have a grea...

A collection of four late 18th century replica wax seals, encased in plaster and housed in softwood boxes. They also retain their original pointed oval and circular hand written labe...

Wonderful and rare Mid-Century Modern Vintage cabinet. Striking German design from the 1950s. Beech frame with original milk glass with decora...

This antique Folk Art carved wooden sculpture is initialed on the base, but the artist is unknown. It is presumed this carving was done in the United States in 1945 in a Folk Art sty...

Dressmaker’s Hem Height Skirt Marker Beech Skirt Marker for measuring the height of a skirt from the floor up . This would have been used in a shop to make alterations to the length...

19th Century French 10 Litre Wooden Fruit Measure This large measure is made in beech, it is cylindrical in shape with iron banding and central frame, it is in good used condition a...

Bas Rilief with profile of Ferdinando IV Borbone, dressed as a Roman Emperor. Beginning of 19th century. Wax sculpture within circular hickory frame. Very fine piece belonging to ...

We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare very large Georgian Irish flamed mahogany wine cooler with Lion head handles circa 1810 owned by Sir Charles Alexander Anderson...

19th century fruitwood mortar and pestle. Remnants of oxblood red and silver blue banded paint. Original pestle included. Origin: Eastern, United States Period: First half of the 19...

19th century fruitwood mortar and pestle. Lathe work, remnants of paint or dark stain. Original pestle included. Period: First half of the 19th century Origin: Eastern, US Size: 5" ...

An extremely rare wood Japanese Okimono of a Dutchman playing with a bat Edo period, 18th-19th century or earlier The Dutchman is standing and h...

A Royal Naval ship’s elm companionway board, of rectangular form with an arched top and two sturdy brass rings, naively carved with a crowned coat of arms flanked by a lion and unicorn...

A carved and shaped teak seat back from the launch of minesweeper H M S Bluebell, of shaped rectangular form with a central panel with 3in brass lettering HMS Bluebell, with braced b...