W.R. Harvey & Co. (Antiques) Ltd

News from Harvey's

     

TW3

Posted by David Harvey, Saturday 5 May 2012

Interior of Oak Bureau showing secret compartments

To all readers of a certain age the name TW3 will strike a chord. This was the BBC's first televised satirical comedy programme and aired in 1962 and 1963. "That Was The Week That Was" was hosted by David Frost with interviews conducted by Bernard Levin, songs with Millicent Martin and Lance Percival with a host of comedic actors who later found fame and often came from the Cambridge University Footlights Review. These included Roy Kinnear, John Cleese, Ronnie Barker, Ronnie Corbett,Bill Oddie, Graham Chapman etc..

Well this most certainly has been the week that was. It started with an early call last Saturday to view some pieces followed by a visit to the Teesside University for a conference and a series of appointments in Leeds before returning last thing Wednesday evening. Thursday was Election Day here in West Oxfordshire with all the mayhem and rushing around that brings for fellow councillors who may not be standing but are helping their candidate colleagues. The results are still being analysed but all three major parties have come out with exactly the responses I predicted weeks ago to the results we all knew would happen ages ago. Plus ca change!

In between times a little bit of good fortune came my way with several pieces coming into our Witney antiques showrooms and I was delighted to have acquired the delightful Oak and Inlaid Bureau shown in more detail elsewhere on this website but I found it particularly beguiling with the removable central drawer box revealing four secret compartments behind the sliding well aperture and internal door. I have attached a picture of this because it is so nice to see pieces which need no explanation because they are so obviously exactly right and such a pleasure to live with.

Although fashion gurus would have us all believe that the bureau or antique desks as a piece of furniture is passe and out of fashion, I cannot believe that any collector of early English Furniture would not want to find room for this delicious piece. It is small enough to fit into any home and although it is Oak, it is sophisticated enough to stand with any pieces of Quality Antique Furniture.

This is illustrated in David Knell's book on English Country Furniture 1500-1900 and I hope to have enough time to do a little more research on this. In the interim, pieces have been sold and leaving our Witney antiques shop for homes both near and far away all this week with a couple more deliveries to the North of England in the next 2 weeks still to come. Contrary to some predictions, there is, as David Moss pointed out in the Antique Trades Gazette a few weeks ago, still life in the Antiques Trade. Certainly there has been a reduction in the number of Antique Dealers with some taking early retirement, others selling their shops for Coffee Shops etc. but those who are still trading as we all recover from what has been a difficult few years, will reap the rewards of longevity and holding one's nerve as the pendulum swings back our way.

As ever,

David

We'll be at: Olympia International Fine Art and Antiques Fair, Olympia, Kensington, London W14 8UX (7th. to 17th. June 2012)

Blenheim Palace CADA Antiques Fair

Posted by David Harvey, Saturday 21 April 2012

Harvey's stand at the CADA Fair at Blenheim Palace

Just imagine being asked if you would like to put your best pieces in Blenheim Palace. That is exactly what has happened with the CADA Antiques fair being held in The Orangery at Blenheim. Yesterday saw the opening of the Fair and it was the busiest Fair Friday I have seen in years. Collectors from all over the UK and abroad came to the fair which continues until Sunday 22nd. April.

The quality of all the exhibits is terrific and the compliments being passed on by visitors were fantastic. It shows that quality, not quantity, is what people are looking for. All the dealers seemed satisfied after some 1200 people came in on the first day. The level of interest was high across the board and I have selected this picture of our stand at the fair. It was great to see so many existing clients and friends some of whom have been customers for decades.

Today, Saturday, will be interesting and could well see a totally different public coming to the Fair because of course many will have had work and professional commitments yesterday but will want to do something different at the weekend. They will certainly be made most welcome at the CADA Fair at Blenheim Palace and what a wonderful opportunity to visit the Fair and the Palace World Heritage Site at one and the same time.

This news article is a little shorter than usual as I have to get back to the fair in time for the opening at 10 o'clock. It closes both today and tomorrow at 5.30 and has had masses of coverage in national news media including the BBC TV news.

I hope to see you at the Fair.

As ever,

David

Easter Presents

Posted by David Harvey, Saturday 7 April 2012

George III Library Breakfront Bookcase in Satinwood and Mahogany

First of all, may I take this opportunity to wish all a very Happy Easter. Certainly for me the Easter Bunny came a few days early. On Tuesday I had the pleasure of dismantling one of the best Breakfront Library Bookcases I have ever had and which I sold years ago in order to transport it back to the shop In Witney. The collector who has looked after it brilliantly is moving to a larger home with paradoxically lower ceilings and will not be able to accommodate the wonderful example going forward. Both he and his wife were near to tears seeing the eleven parts taken out, wrapped and packed onto the truck and taken away. He made me promise that it will go to a home where it will be appreciated.

I have selected a picture of this extraordinary bookcase taken at Cokethorpe in The Corinthian Room to illustrate this news piece. When I saw the bookcase after the intervening years I was again very moved by the sheer beauty of this. We spent a couple of hours waxing it on Wednesday and cleaning every part ( including the parts other beers can't reach - Heineken Advert ca. 1980?) and studying the construction and details throughout. There are times when you cannot have too much of a good thing. I am increasingly convinced that this was made by Gillows of Lancaster in about 1780.

I must confess to a secret - I know where the pair to this is because I owned it some 25 years ago and the possibility exists to re-unite this pair of bookcases for the right home. Only time will tell if this actually happens but how exciting would that be? I shut my eyes and try to think how the two together in one room could look and it just takes my breath away.

As if all of that were not enough to be going on with, I have also added two more video clips to the library of videos with more to follow soon. I do hope you enjoy all of these and with the weather forecast at least here in the UK to be somewhat indifferent over the Easter Weekend, I hope you will have the chance to explore this website in more detail.

As ever,

David

Celebrate in style and go to the movies.

Posted by David Harvey, Saturday 31 March 2012

Superb Gillows Mahogany and Brass Wine Cooler

At the end of December I featured a detail shot of a fabulous lion's mask handle from a Wine Cooler by Gillows and it now gives me great pleasure to append a picture of the whole piece to this newsletter. This wonderful example is in brilliant original state with the original lead liner in excellent condition and ready for use. Why not celebrate with panache and cool your Champagne in this example made in the 1770s? Susan Stuart's excellent work on Gillows of Lancaster and London shows several pieces with the identical handles. If on the other hand you are looking for a wine cooler with a lid, may I suggest you look at the George III Mahogany and Brass Hexagonal Wine Cooler also currently on display.

For some time I have felt the provision of short videos about some of the pieces I have in stock would be helpful for friends and clients. Not only does it give me the oportunity to let you know what I saw that attracted me to a particular piece but I hope it will add further depth to the history and background of these fascinating items. Having experimented with several different methods of bringing these to you, I hope by using You-tube to have provided a platform which is quickly downloaded and offers the widest availability to potential viewers. Please do feel free to comment on these as they become available. I really do want to provide you with an excellent service and hope you enjoy "going to the movies" with Harveys! My aim is to rapidly build up a "Library" of short films which others can also use as a reference tool. You can access these by double clicking on the "Videos" box above.

Ten years ago I bought a terrific pair of chairs which had sadly been re-covered in a faux-leather material which ruined them. The wheels turn slowly in the World of Antiques and it has taken me years to decide what to now cover them in and just recently I came across the right covering. The Pair of Black and Gilt Chairs by Holland and Sons have now come back from my upholsterer and I hope you will agree that they really do look stunning. They are an important pair of chairs and may well have been part of a much longer set. We are still trying to establish which house they were made for originally.

Easter is only a week away and I do hope the Easter Bunny brings you your most ardent desire. Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter.

As ever,

David

Spring, Budget and Hyacinths

Posted by David Harvey, Friday 23 March 2012

Chiffonier, Daffodils and Hyacinths!

It has certainly been an interesting week with George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, delivering his third coalition budget on Wednesday. I think we can all accept the dire situation the country was left in by the outgoing government in May 2010 and the extraordinary austerity measures enacted since then as a result. I do just wonder however if the best the combined mental powers of H.M. Treasury, H.M. Government, H.M. Revenue and Customs etc. can come up with is the performance this week, what hope is there left for the rest of us?

But before becoming despondent at all, I look around and Norman Lamont's words about the "green shoots of recovery" in the past do actually seem to be coming true for U.K. PLC. I will admit that the positive news does need to be searched for but it can be found. A typical example of the media inspired depression is the news today that here in the UK we are set for a weekend of record high temperatures which could speed up the onset of hosepipe bans and water shortages all over the country and all that on the weekend when we lose one hours sleep as the clocks go forward. I can well remember the summer of 1976 and I can only say what a joy that year was for me and everyone I know. A long hot summer is something to look forward to, not cry over. Clocks go forward every year so what else is news?

I have to say, Spring has certainly arrived here in Witney where it has been an absolutely glorious day today with the promise of more for the weekend. I came back to the shop this afternoon after a session of photography and was greeted by the wonderful scent of hyacinths and the sight of a newly acquired Breakfront Chiffonier. Hence the photograph above and whilst you can see the Chiffonier, you will have to use your imagination for the whiff of hyacinths. Everyone I have met today has smiled broadly at the euphoria of a day such as we have had. The sunshine really does bring out the smiles and when everyone feels happy that vital indicator, the "Feelgood Factor", takes a jump.

A jump in this means more people buying clothes, dining out, drinking in pubs and clubs all of which fuels the economy and provides much needed income to The Treasury which in turn is good for the country's coffers. Optimism is a great quality and a precursor to the "Feelgood Factor" which I have always felt is a necessary ingredient for a healthy Antique Furniture Market. I might not have the local manager of a multinational store chain as a client, but I would be willing to bet that some of the Board Members are collectors of good Antique Furniture and if that vital factor is seen in their companies uplifted sales, then they also feel happier about maybe buying something special for their homes. I often hear people saying "smell the coffee" to mean get a reality check. Perhaps they should be saying "Smell the Hyacinths"!

As ever,

David