The term ‘gilding’ covers a number of decorative techniques for applying fine gold leaf to solid surfaces such as wood, stone, or metal to give a thin coating of gold. A gilded object is described as ‘gilt’. Where metal is gilded, it is traditionally known as ormolu, and was used for furniture mounts, mostly by …

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During the 18th and 19th centuries fruitwood was widely used for the construction of vernacular or “country” furniture in England. The most commonly used fruitwood was the timber from the native or wild cherry, Prunus avium, which produced a decent sized trunk and fine, wide planks. The wood is of a close, firm texture and …

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Amongst new stock this week is this lovely 19th century mahogany chest of drawers. Dating from about 1825, it is a particularly fine example of campaign furniture, designed to be packed and carried on the march during military campaigns. The officers of the British army who bought and commissioned campaign furniture came from the upper …

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This fine quality mahogany side table, dating from about 1840, is stamped ‘Gillows’. Gillows of Lancaster was established by Robert Gillow in 1728 and continued by his two sons. They were a unique firm: no other cabinet makers were in business for so long a period, and no other provincial firms had a showroom and …

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This demi-lune console table is a particularly good example of the fine, early Dutch marquetry from about 1780, with its foliate scrolls, butterflies and urns. Marquetry is the method of decorating the surface of furniture with a panel of veneers. The sheets of veneer are temporarily glued together into a “pack”, and cut with a …

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This lovely 18th century mahogany drop leaf dining table that has just come into the showroom is exceptional in design and quality. The drop leaf style of table developed from the more cumbersome gateleg dining table during the second quarter of the 18th century. This example dates from about 1740 and is made from Cuban …

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Amongst new stock this week is this lovely pair of walnut, cabriole leg sofas. As with all antique furniture, pairs are particularly hard to find, and hold intrinsically more than double the value of a single item. These date from about 1880, and are typical of that period in various ways; the Victorians particularly admired …

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The finish, or ‘patina’ of a piece of antique furniture is crucial. Here at Thakeham Furniture we specialise in preserving the original patina as much as possible; not only is it intrinsic to the value, it is often a great part of the beauty of a piece. Years of  polishing with  beeswax builds up a …

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