Antique Collection

Knives, forks and spoons are usually termed “flatware” by silver collectors. Depending on your budget there are many ways of collecting flatware. Complete services, which usually comprise settings for 12, may seem prohibitively expensive, but odd numbers of spoons and forks in the most common patterns, such as Old English, Fiddle,

Not all “bracket” clocks stood on wall brackets. Clocks of this type were also used for tables and mantelpieces. Nowadays the term is used to describe all clocks with short pendulums and spring-driven mechanisms. These clocks are also sometimes called “mantel clocks” or “table clocks“.

When discussing antique fakes the buyer is frequently curious and will often enquire as to the extent of antique faking in this country. The answer may be surprising. Obviously no exact figures can be given, only estimates. After all, the shady side of this business is very surreptitious.

A look into the social conditions of a particular age can sometimes give us a better understanding or its products.
The Victorians were a serious people and believed in hard work. Their prodigious engineering feats have never been equalled considering their resources. Their military arrogance was insufferable, their characters were diverse. In this period we had [...]

An attractive addition to any room is the occasional table. This is sometimes referred to as a tea table or wine table, standing about 750 mm high on a single pedestal with a round base. Good examples of these are not rare, but they are much in demand and therefore expensive.

SALTS, CASTERS AND CRUETS
In the past, salt was valuable and kept in elaborate containers. Beautiful medieval salts rarely appear on the market, but early 18th-century trencher salts are still quite common. These are small oval, circular or oblong salt cellars with a dished centre. However, most are now in poor condition as they were generally [...]

With the advent of mass production, decorative glassware could be seen on almost every table — and it now provides striking items for modern collectors on a budget.

Useful, decorative, easy to store and not prohibitively expensive, small pieces of table glass are an ideal field for the new collector.
Formal meals were important social occasions in the life of well-to-do families of the 18th and 19th centuries, and every well-equipped household had many decorative yet functional items of glassware to adorn the table. [...]

Scientists, astronomers, sailors and the general public have long employed a range of microscopes, telescopes, and other magnifying instruments as diverse as the stargazer’s six-footer and pearl-encrusted opera glasses.

Stands of all kinds often find uses quite different from their original purpose. A butler’s tray, for example, makes a good drinks table.
Gueridons were among the first stands. Made in various styles, they were used from the 17th ‘century for supporting candlesticks or lamps.