After a steep learning curve, some satisfying sales across all media (upholstery, carvings, furniture and a painting) and lots of old friendships rekindled and new ones made, at the Battersea Decorative Fair, we are setting our sights on Masterpiece.
As a strictly vetted, high end, luxury fair, Masterpiece encourages us all to exhibit only the very best in our fields. For predominantly 19th century dealers like ourselves this means we have to take original pieces, not items inspired by the great cabinet makers of the Georgian era. Reflecting on this made me realize the vital difference a signature makes. Often enthusiasts and scholars, dealers and collectors can recognize the designs or workmanship of a particular firm or workshop and will attribute pieces accordingly. However when a piece is stamped or signed there is no doubting its provenance. Remember too that a maker’s mark is a seal of approval; a symbol of pride in a job well done.
The items above include a miniature gold-inlaid iron lunch box by Komai of Kyoto, an Anglo-Indian upholstered stool by Spencer and Co Ltd of Madras, a lively Japanese bronze horse by Hozan of Yukawa, pupil of Unno Shomin, a pair of exquisite bedside tables by the highly sought after French cabinetmaker François Linke, a rare olive wood and ebonized library table by the famous firm Gillow and Co of London and Lancashire and a most unusual pair of sycamore wall cupboards by Lamb of Manchester. Three pieces also have the design numbers stamped into the wood which adds further interest when they can be compared to drawings in the original design books and directories.
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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