Curating History: Fine Antiques & Unique Vintage Finds
Carefully selected pieces, sourced from across the UK, with clear descriptions and detailed condition reports.
All prices include shipping to UK mainland
Independent UK dealer
Independent UK dealer
An antique box of distressed children's wooden teaching, building and puzzle play blocks x20. Features various depictions of world transport including steam trains and boats. Evocative piece of decorative railwayana and maritimia. Antique paper images adhered to blocks . Heavily distressed blocks with loss of paper image on some blocks, see photos.
Each block has a different picture on each face, so six pictures in total. Overloaded with vintage patination, charm and character. Some damage to the wooden blocks brought on by age and use. Green felt pad adhered to base. Would make a wonderful decorative display item for a nursery, mancave or as general décor. Please carefully check the photos for condition.
Block size 5 x 5 x 5 cm.
Box size 33 x 28 x 3.5 cm
Circa early 20th century.
A vintage box of distressed children's wooden teaching, building and puzzle play blocks x20. Features various depictions of farmyard and wild animals. Antique paper images adhered to blocks featuring various depictions of much loved creatures. Heavily distressed blocks with loss of paper image on some blocks, see photos. Each block has a different picture on each face, so six pictures in total.
Overloaded with vintage patination, charm and character. Some damage to the wooden blocks brought on by age and use. Blue felt pad adhered to base. Would make a wonderful display item for a nursery, mancave or as general décor. Please carefully check the photos for condition.
Block size 5 x 5 x 5 cm
Box size 33 x 28 x 3.5 cm
Circa early 20th century.
A delightful early 20th-century framed oil painting on Windsor & Newton canvas by L.E. Garbett, entitled “Drifting.” This charming antique depicts fishing boats gently drifting off shore, rendered with period detail, subtle brushwork and atmospheric light that evokes a tranquil coastal mood.
Frame
Height 33 cm
Width 51 cm
Depth 4 cm
Visible artwork dimensions
Height 16 cm
Width 34 cm
Actual canvas stretcher dimensions
Height 18 cm
Width 36 cm
Signed by artist 1912.
Circa early 20th century.
This exquisite Chinese three-panel lacquered folding screen is a valuable addition to any serious collection of ethnographic collectibles. Each panel is hand-painted on finely crafted black lacquered wooden panels, showcasing the remarkable craftsmanship that has characterised this ancient country for centuries. The intricate details and vibrant colours embodied in this piece create a stunning display of traditional Chinese art, complemented by calligraphy stamps adorning the central front panel. The screens themselves depict three Chinese women elegantly attired in full traditional gowns, along with a seated man, elegantly posed to enhance the overall sentiment of grace and culture. Whether you are a dedicated collector of Chinese art or simply a person who appreciates the beauty of traditional artisan craftsmanship, this folded screen is an absolute must-have for your dressing table or as a distinguished element of your home décor.
Fully open dimensions.
Height 30 cm
Width 41 cm
Depth 1.5 cm
Circa mid 20th century.
A delightful, mid-20th century watercolour painting that depicts fishing boats diligently at work off the picturesque UK coastline. This captivating piece is a signed watercolour, by ‘Stanley A. Burchett’. This artwork beautifully showcases the historical charm and maritime life of the era, making it a wonderful addition for any collector or enthusiast of vintage art.
Stanley A. Burchett was a British artist active during the mid-20th century, renowned for his detailed watercolor landscapes, seascapes featuring ships, and particularly his miniature paintings. He began his career by painting and selling his artworks in hotel lobbies, a practice that garnered him significant attention and success. This exposure led to exhibitions on London's prestigious Bond Street, where records from the Royal Collection Trust indicate that Queen Mary, the grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II, acquired a work by Stanley A. Burchett in 1946. Throughout his career, Burchett's works were presented at public auctions multiple times, reflecting their enduring appeal among art collectors.
Circa mid-20th century.
Frame height 25 cm
Frame width 16 cm
Artwork height 12.75 cm
Artwork width 7.5 cm
For sale, a delightful vintage silver plated christening photo frame with space to have the name, weight, date and time of arrival engraved at various points around the frame. It comes with a cream tone velvet back and can be displayed in portrait orientation only. Stamped on frame silver plated, Sheffield, England.
Overall height 16 cm
Overall width 14 cm
Glass height 10 cm
Glass width 7 cm
Circa late 20th century.
For sale, a highly decorative and ornate antique French tin photo frame. Hinged back stand. Original card insert, ‘Paris Marque De Fab Que Deposee’.
Frame dimensions
Height 15 cm
Width 12 cm
Glass dimensions
Height 9 cm
Width 6 cm
Circa early 20th century.
For sale, a wonderful vintage hardwood picture or photo frame. Rustic, hand carved and fret cut design. Freestanding. Highly decorative rustic table top frame.
Overall height 28 cm
Overall width 20 cm
Glass aperture dimensions
Height 17 cm
Width 11 cm
Circa 20th century.
For sale, an antique, primitive, hardwood photo or picture frame, typical of tramp art. Original distressed and pinned wooden back board and steel wall hanging ring. Original script handwritten list of numbers on the back board behind the glass, see photo.
Overall frame dimensions
Height 30 cm
Width 25 cm
Depth 5 cm
Glass height 14.5 cm
Glass width 9.5 cm
Circa 19th century.
For sale, a full colour TV memorabilia framed caricature wall art print of the 'Fawlty Towers' (1975 - 1979) principal cast. Limited edition 32/100, signed by the artist Gary Tyman. Features Basil (John Cleese), Sybil (Prunella Scales), Manuel (Andrew Sachs) and Polly (Connie Booth) and the infamous mouse! Eye catching bright colours. Framed behind Perspex. Excellent high quality print, no damage or foxing to the paper. The frame is also in very good clean condition.
Height in frame 43 cm
Width in frame 31 cm
Circa late 20th century.
For sale, a hand carved hardwood display easel, featuring scrolling grapes on the vine. Adjustable height with ratchet locking mechanism and rear stand locking screw. Would look fantastic as a display stand for a painting or photograph, or as a menu stand in a restaurant or bistro.
Maximum height: 81 cm
Minimum height: 65 cm
Overall easel width: 32 cm
Circa Art Nouveau period 1880 -1910.
If you would like to learn more about Art Nouveau, check out our video - ‘What Is Art Nouveau’ or read the blog - ‘An Introduction to the Sublime Beauty of Art Nouveau‘.
For sale, a complete set of twelve Metropolitan Museum of Arts portfolios, ‘Metropolitan Seminars in Art’. Each portfolio contains approx. 12 wonderful colour gloss inserts to compliment the black and white illustrations and essays. The Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York City, colloquially known as "the Met", is the largest art museum in the United States. Author John Canaday. John Edwin Canaday (February 1, 1907 – July 19, 1985) was a leading American art critic, author and art historian. They are fantastic learning tools. Published 1958/1959.
Height 33cm
Width 25cm
Each book has a envelope attached to inside cover containing colour plates and Review questions.
Portfolio number 1, What is a Painting? By John Canaday Art Editor and Critic The New York Times. Published 1958 by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Printed in USA.
Portfolio number 2, Realism By John Canaday Art Editor and Critic The New York Times. Published 1958 by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Printed in USA.
Portfolio number 3, Expressionism By John Canaday Art Editor and Critic The New York Times. Published 1958 by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Printed in USA.
Portfolio number 4 Abstraction, By John Canaday Art Editor and Critic The New York Times. Published 1958 by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Printed in USA.
Portfolio number 5 Composition as Pattern By John Canaday Art Editor and Critic The New York Times. Published 1958 by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Printed in USA.
Portfolio number 6 Composition As Structure By John Canaday Art Editor and Critic The New York Times. Published 1958 by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Printed in USA.
Portfolio number 7, Composition as Expression. By John Canaday Art Editor and Critic The New York Times. Published 1958 by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Printed in USA.
Portfolio number 8,Fresco. By John Canaday Art Editor and Critic The New York Times. Published 1958 by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Printed in USA.
Portfolio number 9,Tempera and Oil. By John Canaday Art Editor and Critic The New York Times. Published 1958 by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Printed in USA.
Portfolio number 10, Water Colour, Pastel, and Prints. By John Canaday Art Editor and Critic The New York Times. Published 1958 by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Printed in USA.
Portfolio number 11, The Artist as a Social Critic. By John Canaday Art Editor and Critic The New York Times. Published 1959 by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Printed in USA.
Portfolio number 12, The Artist as a Visionary. By John Canaday Art Editor and Critic The New York Times. Published 1959 by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Printed in USA.
A Mid Century Modern example of brutalist wall art. This unique work of art, produced in zinc, features handwritten notations on the reverse side that read, 'Head' and 'Sold,' which you can see in the accompanying photos. It is securely mounted on a crude, rustic wooden frame that adds to its raw modernistic appeal. The provenance of this piece remains for now unknown, adding an element of mystery. Brutalism, as a design style, emphasises the use of materials, bold textures, and innovative construction, resulting in highly expressive forms that are both striking and thought-provoking.
Height 42 cm
Width 25.5 cm
Depth 2.5 cm
Circa Mid Century Modern 1940 - 1969.
If you would like to know more about the Mid Century period, then check out or blog →Revealing the Mid Century Modern Design Movement.
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