Latest Stock

Stock: 15927

A robust Tudor Revival fireplace in a warm hued limestone, constructed from substantial blocks of stone. The opening is bordered by crisply carved spandrels.

English, c.1860.

Note: This fireplace is intended to be set into the wall, perhaps surrounded by panelling or a fireplace...but would look wonderful surround by plaster too.

View our collection of: Antique Renaissance, Gothic Tudor Fireplace mantels and Chimneypieces: 1260 - 1600

	Width	Height	Depth
External	56 1⁄8" 142.5 cms	44 1⁄8" 112 cms	6 1⁄8" 15.5 cms
Internal	31 7⁄8" 81 cms	32 1⁄8" 81.5 cms

Stock: 16638

A fine and large Grand Tour Bronze, traditionally thought to depict Narcissus, after a bronze discovered at Pompeii in 1862. The figure has been identified as both Bacchus and Narcissus, the former has been suggested as the position of the hand might have indicated that he once held a bunch of grapes.
The sculpture was almost certainly produced by the Fonderia Sommer, which was known to produce bronzes that replicated the antique finish seen on the original artefacts.

Italian, c.1870.

Notes: The Sommer Foundry was one of the main Neopolitan foundries that manufactured Grand Tour bronzes for the grand-tourists of the nineteenth-century. Giorgio Sommer was a German photographer and artisan and started the foundry in the 1870s.

View our collection of: Antique sculptures, carvings, bronzes, plaques and tablets

	Base diameter	Height
	10" 25.5 cms	25 5⁄8" 65 cms

Stock: 16667

A very fine William and Mary chest on stand, in a rare combination of burr ash and burr yew. The chest has a cross grained moulded cornice above two short and three long graduated drawers, the drawers in burr ash, crossbanded in yew. The pear drop handles are original, as are the pierced and engraved escutcheons, mounted over the original locks. The sides are grained pine, in line with furniture of this date.
The chest is mounted on its original stand fitted with three drawers, with an ogeed line to the frieze in burr elm. The cupped and turned legs and stretchers are a later replacement.

English, c.1690.

Awaiting restoration.

Notes: In the late 17th century, fine veneered furniture of this type had grown in popularity enormously. Whilst the wealthiest homes would often have had lacquered furniture, mercantile and landowning homes had chests with fine veneers. During both the reigns of William and Anne, war had impacted the economy and the mercantile class to such an extent that the market for fine furniture had dwindled enormously, so furniture of this quality is rare.

View our collection of: Antique furniture

	Width	Height	Depth
	39 3⁄8" 100 cms	61 3⁄8" 156 cms	22" 56 cms

Stock: 16209

A large and grand Renaissance Revival fire basket in cast iron. The ornate shaped back is centred by a mask cartouche which looms over the generous basket with log spikes mounted on the front bars, to prevent logs rolling out. This is supported by substantial andirons.
A statement piece for a large fireplace.

English, circa 1850.

View our collection of: Antique fire grates and log baskets.

	Width	Height	Depth
	37 13⁄16" 96 cms	34 1⁄4" 87 cms	21" 53.3 cms
Back width	34 1⁄8" 86.5 cms

Stock: 16676

A late Victorian cast iron 'Nautilus' fire basket with brass finials and front mounts, designed by James Petter for the Nautilus Stove Co. circa 1881, makers plate to verso No.3561.
This lovely grate is cast with Aesthetic Movement motifs and mounted with wheels for ease of movement. The name was based on the internal shape of the Nautilus shell by means of which the fumes and smoke are circulated in a chamber before being drawn out through the flue, thus achieving greater efficiency than more traditional designs.

English, circa 1880.

FROM FIRE BASKETS TO HELICOPTERS, VIA MOUNT EVEREST.

The earliest incarnation of the Nautilus stove company, makers of kitchen ranges and fire grates, was founded by John Petter in 1865, when he bought an ironmonger's business in Yeovil, Somerset as a present for his son James Bazeley Petter, upon his marriage to Charlotte Branscombe. A few years later James expanded the business when he bought Yeovil Foundry and went into partnership with the manager Henry. F. Edger. Around 1881 James founded the Nautilus stove company and in 1882 he exhibited his Nautilus grate in the Smoke Abatement exhibition in Manchester. Queen Victoria had these fire grates installed in both Osborne house and Balmoral castle; after this demand grew substantially.

The Nautilus grate was first manufactured in a building known as the Rink in Hendford, so named as it was formerly a skating rink, later becoming known as the Nautilus grate works, before the company moved to a purpose-built factory in Reckleford.
The company also dabbled with steam and electric road vehicles. Percy Petter took the first car to London in 1896, it was basically a horse drawn carriage with an engine, known as the horseless carriage. The car division however was not a great success financially and after not winning a thousand guinea prize in a national competition in 1897, they closed the car division and concentrated on the production of their oil engines, such as the Petters 'Handy Man'; these were exported all over the world.
Lesser known is the use of some of their larger engines to light Yeovil before the advent of the National Grid.

In 1913 the company bought land to build a new foundry which became one of the largest in the country. After war broke out in 1914 the Petters offered their manufacturing resources to the government and in 1917 they supplied the admiralty with "Short 184" float planes; part of this went on to become the Westland aircraft branch of the business. Two biplanes built by Westland were the first to fly over the summit of mount Everest on the 3rd of April 1933. A modified Westland PV-3 Registration G-ACAZ and a PV-6 prototype Westland Wallace bomber, registration G-ACBR. The Petters continued to make oil engines until 1937 when they were taken over by Associated British Engines Ltd. The Westland part of the business went on to become one of the world's most successful helicopter manufacturers.

View our collection of: Antique fire grates and log baskets.

	Width	Height	Depth
	20 1⁄4" 51.5 cms	28" 71 cms	21 7⁄8" 55.5 cms

Stock: 16706

A gilt-bronze Louis XVI style adjustable fender of excellent quality, the chenet in the form of twin-handled ribboned urns, the central bar centred by a ribbon-tied cartouche.

French, c.1900.

View our collection of: Antique Fenders, Firescreens and Nursery Guards

	Width	Height	Depth
max	53 1⁄2" 136 cms	14 5⁄8" 37 cms	5 1⁄8" 13 cms
min	36 5⁄8" 93 cms

Stock: 16719

A pair of fine patinated bronze volute kraters after the antique. The theme of both vases is one of offering to the gods, and this is cast in low relief and bordered by palmette motifs. The handles of the kraters terminate in swan's heads as they join the vase.

Italian, early 19th century.

View our collection of: decorative antiques and furnishings

	Width	Height	Depth
	11 1⁄2" 29.3 cms	21 1⁄8" 53.5 cms	9 1⁄8" 23 cms

Stock: 16683

A large quartered oak and bronze bound log bin, with drop handles and a makers' label for R A Lister & Co.

English, circa 1930.

R. A. Lister and company was founded by Robert Ashton Lister (1845-1927) in 1867 in Dursley, Gloucestershire. The company produced a wide range of agricultural machinery and in 1897 the Dursley Pedersen cycle. In 1909 the company introduced its first petrol engine into its range of products; these versatile engines became the mainstay of the company until it introduced a range of diesel engines in 1929. These were used to power electric generators, pumps and Listers' other newly introduced products such as its sheep shearing machines. Such was the demand for its products that in 1909 its Victoria works had to be extended.

Robert Aston Lister took a keen interest in the wellbeing of his workforce, for example he closed the whole works in 1910 and chartered a train to take his workers for a day out at the seaside at Weston-Super-Mare; this trip was to be repeated on several occasions in the following years. Over time the company diversified further to produced among other things Rail Auto trucks, dairy equipment and wooden products like butter churns, pales, log bins and the classic Teak park bench. Now Lister-Petter, the company concentrates on Diesel engines and generators, the sheep shearing business is now a separate company. Although the production of many of R.A.Listers models ceased many years ago many are still in daily use all over the world.

View our collection of: other antique accessories

	diameter	height
	18" 45.7 cms	17 7⁄8" 45.5 cms

Stock: 16657

A large Regency Period convex wall mirror, having a reeded ebony border and applied ball decoration, within an ornate gilt gesso surround modelled as scrolling acanthus leaves.

English, c.1820.

View our collection of: Antique mirrors and console tables

	Width	Height	Depth
	29 7⁄8" 76 cms	49 13⁄16" 126.5 cms	3 1⁄4" 8.5 cms

Stock: 16709

A French gilt and patinated bronze adjustable fender in the Rococo style, the scrolling foliate chenet mounted with bronze putti and the fender bar centred by an urn.

French, c.1900.

View our collection of: Antique Fenders, Firescreens and Nursery Guards

	Width	Height	Depth
max	57 1⁄8" 145 cms	22" 56 cms	6 1⁄4" 16 cms
min	50 3⁄8" 128 cms

Stock: 16698

A very fine 18th century alabaster copy of the Medici Vase, after the antique. Almost certainly made in Italy for a wealthy Grand Tourist and a faithful copy of one of the most renowned Roman artefacts from Italy.
The origins of the Medici Vase are uncertain, the first record of the vase being in an inventory of the Villa Medici in Rome in 1598. In 1780, it was moved to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
It is particularly significant as it is the only extant Roman krater to not have a Dionysian theme, although the subject remains unclear. It depicts a statue of Apollo Lyricine, who was later restored mistakenly as Diana, with a bare-breasted woman at the foot of the statue, while other figures gaze solemnly towards this scene.
The narrative scene is bordered by a decoration of vine shoots and leaves to the upper portion, whilst the lower portion has phytomorphic, acanthine decoration also carved in low relief. The original vase would have once been brightly decorated, and highlighted in gold.

This version is a good size, and of exceptional quality.

Italian, c.1770.

View our collection of: decorative antiques and furnishings

	Diameter	Height
	16 1⁄8" 41 cms	21 1⁄4" 54 cms

Stock: 8096

A pair of Victorian cast iron bench ends with scrolling foliate decoration on splayed scrolled feet. The top rail and armrests both terminate in griffin-like masks.
We can add a back and seat in teak and paint the ironwork if desired, please contact us for a quote.

English, mid-19th century.

View our collection of: Antique, old vintage fountains, sculptures, garden furniture and statuary

		height	Depth
		32 1⁄2" 82.5 cms	27 5⁄8" 70 cms

Stock: 16647

A wonderful Louis XIV fireplace in a beautifully worn limestone. This fireplace is a rare survival from the reign of the Sun King, and conforms to the drama of the Baroque, with a beautifully carved cushion moulding, centred by a cartouche.

French, c.1700.

Please note that the back has been left rough as it was originally set inside a wall, but we can cut this flat for a more modern installation if desired. It would look absolutely wonderful with a Delft tiled interior, or with a boldly cast fireback.

View our collection of: Antique Baroque Chimneypieces inc English, Italian, French, Flemish Bolection fireplace mantels.

	Width	Height	Depth
External	44 1⁄4" 112.4 cms	38 5⁄8" 98 cms	11 5⁄8" 29.5 cms
Internal	31 1⁄2" 80 cms	33 11⁄16" 85.5 cms

Stock: 16042

A fine French 18th century Louis XVI gilt gesso mirror, with a beaded slip and trailing leaves decorating the frame. There is a beautifully modelled laurel ribboned garland centred by a quiver of arrows and a trophies of war to the surmount. This detail perhaps alludes to the unrest in France at the end of the 18th century.

French, c.1780.
Original gilding but a later mirror plate.

Provenance: From the estate of the late Marguerite Littman.

View our collection of: Antique mirrors and console tables

	Width	Height
	32 1⁄4" 82 cms	69 13⁄16" 177.2 cms

Stock: 16264

A fine early 18th century Queen Anne walnut cabinet on chest, in a beautifully figured walnut veneer. The top section comprises a cushion frieze, which opens to reveal a hidden chart drawer, over the cross-banded double door cabinet which opens to reveal a fully fitted interior of drawers and pigeonholes.
A waist moulding separates the two parts of the piece with an arrangement of two short over two long drawers in highly figured feather banded walnut, oak lined with brass handles.

English, c.1710 with later 18th century modifications.

View our collection of: Antique furniture

	Width	Height	Depth
	44 1⁄8" 112 cms	63 3⁄8" 161 cms	20 1⁄2" 52 cms

Stock: 16689

A fine and ornate giltwood Louis XVI overmantel mirror profusely decorated with floral swags and sprays of laurel and surmounted by an urnular crest filled with flowers.

French, mid-19th century.

View our collection of: Antique mirrors and console tables

	Width	Height	Depth
	38 13⁄16" 98.5 cms	68 11⁄16" 174.5 cms	3 1⁄2" 9 cms

Stock: 16652

A 19th century French giltwood overmantel mirror with a Rococo foliate surmount above a cushion moulded, ogee frame. This encloses the crisp bevelled glass. A very elegant mirror.

French, late 19th century.

View our collection of: Antique mirrors and console tables

	Width	Height	Depth
	37 3⁄8" 95 cms	57 1⁄8" 145 cms	5 1⁄4" 13.5 cms
Outer footblock	72 3⁄8" 184 cms

Stock: 16618

A fine Louis-Philippe overmantel gilt gesso mirror. The surmount is decorated with a flaming torch, a quiver of arrows and a laurel wreath, and is mounted on an elegant frame, with a slightly distressed gilded finish showing traces of the red bole underneath. The frame is further decorated with a Greek key pattern embossed on the surface.
French, mid-19th century.

View our collection of: Antique mirrors and console tables

	Width	Height	Depth
	36 3⁄16" 92 cms	55 7⁄8" 142 cms	7 7⁄8" 20 cms

Stock: 16694

A fine and large early polychrome Delft covered vase in the Oriental taste. Decorated with panels depicting birds perching within flowering chrysanthemum branches, this vase is topped with the most charming of covers, complete with a cat finial!
It is rare to have a fine Delft vase of this scale and date.

Dutch, c.1700, the underside with makers' mark for DE GRIEKSCHE A.

Photographed before restoration.

Notes: In 1658, Wouter van Eenhoorn opened his pottery in the former brewery known as the 'De Griex A' (The Greek A) His company was soon supplying an international market with contacts in London, Hamburg, Stockholm and in 1674 Rouen. In 1678, his son took over the business, and the firm started supplying the Royal House of Orange. Successive generations expanded the business, and they supplied the British monarchs William and Mary as well as their wealthy courtiers. At this time, their pottery was signed AK, which we see on this vase. The factory closed in the early 19th century.

Awaiting further research.

View our collection of: decorative antiques and furnishings.

	Diameter	Height
	11" 28 cms	22 13⁄16" 58 cms

Stock: 16634

A charming set of four ornithological engravings by Francois Nicolas Martinet (French 1731-1800), titled the,"Grand Pie-grieche verdatre, de Madagascar", "La Petite Hirondelle de Mer", "Troupiale male du Senegal" and "Pie-grieche jaune de Cayenne", in original hand-colour. Small ebonised frames.

French, c.1770.

Notes: These engravings were taken from Comte de Buffon's superb work, the Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux, published in Paris from 1770 to 1786. This is one of the most important ornithological publications of the 18th century, Darwin being a great admirer.

View our collection of: antique wall tapestries, panels and paintings

	Width	Height	Depth
	8 7⁄8" 22.6 cms	10 5⁄8" 26.9 cms	0 1⁄2" 1.3 cms

Stock: 16446

A fine 18th century fire basket. The ornately fireback is cast with cupid astride an eagle with a decorative border, and dated 17--. This is mounted on a three barred grate and a polished bar front, with finely engraved spandrels and urnular finials over a pierced and engraved scrolling apron. This is supported on slender, tapered legs.

English, mid 18th century. View our collection of: Antique fire grates and log baskets.

	Width	Height	Depth
External	27 5⁄8" 70 cms	30 1⁄4" 77 cms	18 1⁄8" 46 cms
Back width	13 3⁄8" 34 cms

Stock: 6622

A rare fireplace insert by Thomas Jeckyll for Barnard Bishop and Barnard. Epitomising the Aesthetic movement style, the insert is mounted with a cast brass panel decorated with Jeckyll's signature use of Japanese mons, but the most striking decoration is of course the handpainted tiles on a burnt orange ground, decorated with birds of paradise perching on stylised branches. A rare survival of extraordinary beauty.

English, circa 1870. Notes: Barnard, Bishop and Barnards were at the heart of Norwich's iron industry, and the company gained an international reputation after their collaboration with Thomas Jeckyll. Jeckyll’s associations with a group of London artists – notably James Abbott McNeill Whistler – made him a key figure in the Anglo-Japanese Aesthetic Movement. Jeckyll used japonaise designs for Barnards’ fireplaces while his sunflower motif came to symbolise the Aesthetic Movement.

View our collection of: Antique Fire grates and Register grates.

	Width	Height	Depth
External	38" 96.5 cms	38" 96.5 cms	8" 20.3 cms
Internal	18 3⁄8" 46.7 cms	28 1⁄2" 72.5 cms

Stock: 16480

A fine Louis XVI chimneypiece in a beautiful breche d'Aleppe marble. Simple in form, this fireplace has a panelled frieze centred by an integral paterae tablet, which is echoed on the endblocks, which in turn are mounted over panelled jambs.

French, late 19th century.

Outside to outside footblock 150.4cm

View our collection of: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.

	Width	Height	Depth
External	60 1⁄8" 152.7 cms	46 1⁄4" 117.5 cms	15 7⁄8" 40.5 cms
Internal	40 5⁄8" 103.2 cms	35 3⁄16" 89.5 cms

Stock: 16644

A beautiful French Empire period fireplace in an unusual, deep breccia marble. The marble has a deep red hue and incorporates grey brown and even yellow tones, with some sparse white veining. The moulded shelf sits over the plain frieze, which is supported on corbels over flat jambs.
A fireplace that showcases the marble with its simplicity of design.

French, early 19th century.

Outside footblock to outside footblock measurement: 151.5cm

View our collection of: Antique French chimneypieces inc. Louis XVI, French Empire fireplace mantels.

	Width	Height	Depth
External	62" 157.5 cms	41 1⁄4" 105 cms	15 5⁄8" 39.5 cms
Internal	45" 114.4 cms	30 11⁄16" 78 cms

Stock: 16428

A pair of charming Delft tin-glazed vases hand painted with pastoral scenes to the body of the vases, and surrounded by scrolling foliate decoration. On the back is a simpler floral design. The vase covers are mounted by lions, reminiscent of the foo dogs seen on Chinese pottery.

Delft, late 18th century.

View our collection of: decorative antiques and furnishings.

	Width	Height	Depth
	6 11⁄16" 17 cms	17 5⁄8" 44.7 cms	6 1⁄4" 16 cms

Stock: 16103

A pair of fine Victorian buff terracotta urns, each with a flared rim and semi-gadrooned body, raised on a moulded pedestal and square base.

English, c.1890.

Would be fabulous paired with our selection of pedestals.

View our collection of: Antique, old vintage fountains, sculptures, garden furniture and statuary

	Diameter	Height
	26" 66 cms	17 11⁄16" 45 cms

Stock: 16052

A fine set of brass fire tools of an elegant design, with urnular handles. The shover has a pierced Prince of Wales fleur de lys design.

English, late 19th century.

View our collection of: Antique Firetools.

	Width	Height	Depth
	4 7⁄8" 12.5 cms	26" 66 cms	1 3⁄16" 3 cms

Stock: 15970

A set of steel Regency fire tools, with turned baluster handles and a pierced shovel.

English, c.1810.

View our collection of: Antique Firetools.

	Width	Height	Depth
	4 1⁄2" 11.5 cms	27 13⁄16" 70.5 cms	1 5⁄8" 4 cms

Stock: 16594

A pair of Georgian brass andirons or fire dogs in the manner of Thomas Hope, modelled as robed maidens holding armfuls of fruit, perhaps as temple offerings. They stand on plinths, very much after the antique.

English, c.1790.

View our collection of: Antique Andirons, Fire Dogs, Alare and Chenets

	Width	Height	Depth
	4 11⁄16" 12 cms	18 1⁄8" 46 cms	13" 33 cms

Stock: 16405

A set of three elegant steel fire tools with simply turned handles and an outswept shovel.

English, c.1770.

View our collection of: Antique Firetools.

	Width	Height	Depth
	6 11⁄16" 17 cms	30 1⁄8" 76.5 cms	3 1⁄2" 9 cms

Stock: 16595

A very unusual set of fire tools of excellent quality. Very much in the manner of Christopher Dresser, these fire tools have shepherd's crook handles, and turned and twisted stems, the shovel with a pierced decoration. There is very fine engraved decoration to the handles and at the ends of the shafts.

English, c.1890.

View our collection of: Antique Firetools.

	Width	Height	Depth
	4 11⁄16" 12 cms	27 13⁄16" 70.5 cms	1 5⁄8" 4 cms

Stock: 16445

A very fine George II fender in brass, of a very useful size. The serpentine fender has a pierced and crisply engraved design of foliate scrollwork, centred by a neoclassical urn and two hounds. The whole is raised on lion paw feet.

English, c.1760

View our collection of: Antique Fenders, Firescreens and Nursery Guards

	Width	Height	Depth
	55 1⁄8" 140 cms	7 7⁄8" 20 cms	18 1⁄8" 46 cms

Stock: 14883

A starkly elegant Regency chimneypiece in black Kilkenny marble. The plain shelf rests over a frieze that is simply decorated with a tablet carved with an ovoid design. This motif is echoed in the endblocks which rest on reeded jambs.

Scottish, c.1810.

Notes: Kilkenny marble is a black, carboniferous limestone laced with ancient fossils which has been quarried in Ireland for centuries.

View our collection of: Antique English Regency chimneypieces inc. George IV fireplace mantels.

	Width	Height	Depth
External	64 5⁄8" 164 cms	50" 127 cms	8 1⁄8" 20.5 cms
Internal	42 1⁄8" 107 cms	40 3⁄8" 102.7 cms

Stock: 15955

A fine antique Gothic Revival fireplace in a pale honey toned sandstone. The castellated shelf rests on the substantial panelled frieze, centred by a beautifully carved shield and oak wreath. Beneath this are floral spandrels flanking the chamfered opening, and on the other side of the jambs, slender pilasters terminating in a hart's tongue fern.

English, c.1860.

Outside footblock to footblock 154.9cms.

View our collection of: Antique Renaissance, Gothic Tudor Fireplace mantels and Chimneypieces: 1260 - 1600

	Width	Height	Depth
External	63 3⁄8" 161 cms	50 7⁄8" 129.2 cms	10 11⁄16" 27.1 cms
Internal	39 3⁄8" 100 cms	35 13⁄16" 91 cms

Stock: 9240

A grand and impressive Palladian style chimneypiece in finely carved Portland Stone. The wide shelf carved in high relief with an undershelf of repeating acanthus leaf motif, over boldly scaled egg and dart over lambs tongue detail. The main ingrounds carved with continuous guilloche motif. The whole is supported on large, sturdy footblocks.
Provenance: Removed from a building in the City of London.
English, late 19th century.

Link to a section showing full range of similar/related neo-classical chimneypieces

	Width	Height	Depth
External	112 13⁄16" 286.5 cms	87 5⁄8" 222.5 cms	17 7⁄8" 45.5 cms
Internal	65 3⁄16" 165.7 cms	63 11⁄16" 161.7 cms