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 oak HMS Victory Royal Navy militaria wall plaque showcasing the ship’s crest, crafted with period character and authentic naval charm. The hand‑painted hardwood plaque retains its original screw hanger on the reverse for ready display, making it an excellent choice for collectors, maritime interiors or anyone seeking a genuine piece of nautical history.
Height 19.5 cm
Width 15.5 cm
Depth 3.0 cm
Circa 20th century.
A Duke of Edinburgh’s Royal Regiment oak militaria wall plaque featuring the regimental crest. Hand painted hardwood plaque with inset plastic hanger on reverse. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Royal Regiment (Berkshire and Wiltshire) was a British Army infantry regiment that existed from 1959 to 1994. It was formed by the amalgamation of The Royal Berkshire Regiment (Princess Charlotte of Wales’s) and The Wiltshire Regiment (Duke of Edinburgh’s).
Height 17.5 cm
Width 15.5 cm
Depth 2.5 cm
Circa 20th century.
For sale, a 19th century gunpowder or black powder flask, embossed copper with hares and gamebirds relief pattern. Believed to be a relic from the American Civil War. Brass nozzle for dispensing gunpowder. Numerous dents to copper flask. The dispensing spring mechanism is missing so the flask is not in working condition, therefore this item is sold as seen with faults for decorative display only, or for repair and restoration (reflected in asking price). Copper and brass are non-ferrous metals, meaning they do not create sparks when struck or rubbed against hard surfaces. This was a critical safety feature, as sparks could ignite the highly flammable gunpowder.
Length 20 cm
Overall width 8 cm
Depth 3.5 cm
Circa 19th century.
An antique brass adjustable gunpowder and shot measure, designed to allow the rifleman to accurately measure the precise quantity of black powder and shot required to charge the rifle for a single shot. The device features five distinct measures, with graduations beginning at one ounce and extending to a maximum of one and a half ounces, offering fine control over load size. The measure is fitted with a turned wooden handle, adding both practicality and period character to the piece.
Length 12.5 cm
Measures
1 ounce, 1 1/8 ounces, 1 1/4 ounces, 1 3/8 ounces, 1 1/2 ounces
Circa late 19th/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.
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
Solid brass commemorative militaria tankard. Salvaged from the 2nd World War battlefields of North Africa, it is beautifully engraved with maps, scenes (soldiers, tanks, ships, palm trees etc.) and dates commemorating the ‘North African Campaign’, starting in Morocco on the 8th of November 1942 and ending on the 13th of May 1943. It is also inscribed on the side with ‘BRASS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS TANKARD WAS SALVAGED FROM THE BATTLEFIELDS OF NORTH AFRICA’.
Height 12 cm
Rim diameter 7.5 cm
Base diameter 9 cm
Circa mid 20th century.
An antique Victorian era collapsible hardwood campaign beaker. A rare and historical piece of woodenware used by soldiers during military campaigns or explorers on expeditions. Likely crafted from laburnum, this compact and portable drinking vessel was designed for durability and convenience in the field. Lightweight and sturdy, it is designed for liquids and is easy to clean, making it an ideal companion for soldiers and explorers on the move. This unique piece of history offers a glimpse into the practical tools of the Victorian military and scientific era, perfect for collectors or as a distinctive addition to any antique collection.
Case height 4.5 cm
Beaker height 6.5 cm
Case diameter 8 cm
Rim diameter 5 cm
Circa late 19th century.
For sale, a scale model tin toy biplane with applied vintage patination. Steel chain attached for hanging and display. Modern metal built collectible. The plane has a rotating propeller.
Height 22 cm
Length 53 cm
Width 57 cm
Circa 20th century.
For sale, a genuine vintage 1960’s Mid Century period police truncheon. Hardwood with original leather carry strap. This particular truncheon came from Birmingham, UK. However, each force had its own design, which often differed in shape, colour and size.
Length 40 cm
Circa Mid Century Modern period 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’.
For sale, a vintage, detailed United States tin aeroplane biplane model. Decorative green tone paintwork. Identification number ‘FX 1108’ hand painted on wings. ‘USA’ hand painted on fuselage. Spinning propellor. Bombs attached to undercarriage.
Length 24 cm
Height 14 cm
Width 30 cm
Circa 20th century.
For sale, a nautical themed vintage steel and gilt brass nutcracker mounted on a turned hardwood teak bowl. Made in England. Features a bakelite ships wheel screw mechanism. The bowl is divided into two compartments, an inner section for the shells and an outer ring for the fresh nuts. UK and US Reg’d Design Patent No.s on reverse of wheel.
Height 12 cm
Bowl diameter 24 cm
Circa Mid Century Modern period 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’.
For sale, a highly decorative wooden model trawler with intact rigging and mesh nets. Fixed to a permanent display stand. I believe this item to be manufactured in Spain. Perfect for a nautical themed venue or collector.
Overall height 31 cm
width 7.5 cm
Length 30 cm
Circa mid 20th century.
A decorative vintage solid brass miniature cannon, beautifully detailed and attractively aged, showing pleasing patina and crisp sculptural accents. Ideal as an ornamental militaria piece for collectors or display and perfectly suited for use as a distinctive, weighty desktop paperweight that adds character to an office or study.
Length 20 cm
Width 9 cm
Circa mid 20th century.
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