In the previous newsletter we looked at signatures and maker’s labels. This time we are highlighting something else which adds ‘wow’ factor – Provenance. Pieces which, for example, have come from a famous family, furnished a stately home, been in a renowned collection or selected for an exhibition have greater authenticity, interest and even glamour.
Ideally such pieces should have physical proof of their historical claims so it would be hard to better the original receipt showing the royal Dutch commission to the famous master craftsman Louis Majorelle for a vernis martin mirror for Het Loo Palace. The engraved Sir Stanley Matthews silver tea set and Miss Florence Bickersteth both have photographic proof of their status. In Florence’s case this is an exhibition entry for Charles Edward Smith in the Liverpool Fine Art Institute 1865.
Two other items were exhibited – the Cabinet made by Quignon et Fils , Gold Medal winners, in the Exposition Universelle 1878, Paris and the Safavid lustre ware ewer in The Exhibition of Persian Art, New York, 1940. The latter piece has the added advantage of a collection sticker from the Kevorkian Collection, arguably the most influential collection of Islamic Art in the 20th century. Family history can also play a part as we see from Florence and the cabinet which belonged to Col. Theo Uzielli both of which have been purchased directly from their descendants. The final piece is a table with a sale date ‘from the Duke of Rutland’ attributed to Seddon and Morel, purveyors of fine furniture to the Prince of Wales and members of the aristocracy.
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Having previously supplied Harrods antiques department for 22 years, Charles Wallrock of Wick Antiques offers his expertise and professional knowledge to help you buy and sell your antiques.
Wick Antiques was established by Charles Wallrock in the early 1980s. Having grown up in the Antiques world Charles developed an extensive wealth of knowledge.
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