We are open at 93 Lower Sloane Street! Notwithstanding contractual glitches and the absence of carpet fitters we have managed to open in time for the Chelsea Flower Show, 23rd-27 May. Please do visit us on your way past the door and celebrate with a glass of bubbles. Although it may seem like taking coals to Newcastle, we are starting with all things floral for our first shop window and therefore also this newsletter. Pride of place will go to the stunning blue sofa (and two matching wing armchairs available separately) with the original floral needlework on a blue ground, above.
We, of course, have many stunning items featuring flowers, but one of the most unusual is the Regency table centre of a full bouquet of flowers within a navette-shaped openwork vase – all in shells. The Japanese also love flowers and have special flower arrangements for different festivals and seasons, one of which, an elaborate arrangement of peony, wisteria and blossom in a carriage with tortoiseshell wheels, is shown on the shibayama dish above left. Ikebana is one of the Japanese arts of refinement, along with kōdō (the appreciation of incense) and chadō (the tea ceremony). It dates from the 7th century and with over a 1,000 schools requires many specialized vessels, like the hanging vase below.
, our partner in this enterprise, has a huge display of lovely paintings, including the arrangement of exotic flowers beside a nest by John Wainwright (oil 1850) and the blue and white flowers in an enamel vase by Andrew Davies, (contemporary impressionist artist). Still on the subject of painting, the Villeroy Boch floor vase, above, is hand-painted with a rather naïve and charming underwater scene of fish, octopus, sea horses and shells.
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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