16 October 2009 // Filed under Uncategorized
We have lots of great new items in the store now, including an Antique Clothes Rack, a highly decorative Antique Décanter and a lovely wooden Antique Chest.
Visit our store to find out more
:: Share or discuss :: 2009-10-16 :: admin
9 October 2009 // Filed under Uncategorized
We have lots of new stock on the site this week in preparation for our exhibition on the 12th. We have a number of new Antique Chests and Chest of Draws, as well as updates in all categories.
Visit our store to find out more
:: Share or discuss :: 2009-10-09 :: admin
20 September 2009 // Filed under Uncategorized
In this blog I will be dealing with antique mahogany chest of drawers from the Georgian period. These are one of the most sought pieces of antique furniture. The price guides given will be for chests in mahogany. As with all antiques, items of exceptional size, whether large or small and those items with unusual design features, may be far more valuable.
Mahogany started to be used in England at the beginning of the 1720s and stayed popular for over a hundred years. Antique chests of the early 1700s are made from very dense mature mahogany. This timber is commonly called ‘cuban mahogany’, but in fact came from Jamaica.
Antique mahogany batchelors chest are very rare and have considerable value. They have fold over tops supported on lopers. They were made mainly between the 1720s and 1740s and were often of small proportions.
I have recently purchased a very rare antique mahogany chest of drawers circa.1740. The chest is of fine dense timber and has a caddy moulded top. This type of top is much sought after, as the moulding does not overhang the side or front of the chest. This gives the chest a very clean line. This antique mahogany chest has four long graduated drawers, with the top drawer being fitted with compartments and a baize writing slide. Because of the weight of the top drawer, it is supported on pull-out lopers. I will upload a picture of this chest shortly.
This type of antique chest with caddy moulded top, was out of fashion by the end 1740s. So the chest can dated accurately to the mid 1740s.
By the middle of the eighteen century, mahogany chests were to be seen in many more homes. Normally at this time they would have overhanging mouldings and brass swan neck handles. Better antique chests made for more important rooms in the house would have four long graduated drawers, instead of the more common two small drawers over three or four long drawers. Additional features that add to the desirability of an antique chest, would be a brushing / writing slide and possibly a fitted top drawer.
As with all antique furniture, originality, especially patination, handles, and feet are very important in determining price and desirability.
Towards the end of the eighteenth century, the quality of antique Georgian chest of drawers, began to diminish. This was down to the reduction in the quality of timber being imported and the move towards higher production. At the beginning of the century only the wealthiest could afford fine antique mahogany chests and chest were bespoke made. As the century drew to an end the dawn of mass production was on the horizon.
Antique Georgian mahogany chest of drawers price guide.
Antique batchelors chest with foldover tops c.1720-1740 – £30,000 – £320,000
Antique chest with caddy moulded tops c.1740 £5,000 – £25,000
Antique chest with thumbnail moulding c.1760-1790 £1000 – £10,000
Antique chest with four long graduated drawers £2,000 – £25,000
Antique chest with brushing slide or fitted top drawer £3,000 – £30,000
Many thanks
Mark Davis
apollo antiques
:: Share or discuss :: 2009-09-20 :: admin
19 September 2009 // Filed under Uncategorized
Antique dining tables are amongst the most sought after antiques. That should be no surprise, after all, most people need a dining table. In this blog I will be dealing with formal antique dining tables, there will be a future blog on country farmhouse tables. The most expensive design of antique dining tables are those dating from the 1760s through to the early 1800s, which sit on rows of pillars. There are normally between two and four pillars in length. The pillars support additional leaves in the table, the more pillars the longer the length and desirability of the table. An example would be an antique twin pillar 1790s table. This would have a fixed leaf on each pedestal and with the support of lopers and clips could take an additional drop in leaf. The maximum length of a table like this would be approx 8 feet in length. I had an antique Georgian table of this type last year and sold it immediately. The quality of timber at this period is generally very good. With the addition of more pillars these type of tables, can extend upto 20 feet in length. The antique dining tables more commonly seen today are extending dining tables, normally in mahogany. The earlier antique Georgian and Victorian dining tables had pull-out mechanisms. These are relatively simple, were the extends by pulling either end to allow more leaves to be used. Later Victorian antique dining tables had wind out mechanisms, which allowed antique Victorian dining tables to be opened, by the use of a winding handle. I have recently purchased a Georgian Antique mahogany dining table, with pull-out mechanism. The table is a good length at 112 inches long and has the benefit of retaining its original leaves. The quality of the table is superb and totally original throughout. It dates from 1820. This will be available for purchase shortly and uploaded onto our website www.apolloantiques.co.uk Realistic prices for antique mahogany dining tables vary greatly. Key points in pricing are: originality, length, width, period, timber quality and colour. As a general rule the earlier the antique dining table, the better the timber is likely to be. Tables that still have all their original leaves are rare and much more valuable, than those with with replacement leaves. The width of the table is important, where people are sitting opposite each other, there should be adequate room in the centre of the table. Look for tables 48 inches or more in depth. A antique dining table that is 42 inches deep would be worth less than half that of an identical table that was 48 inches deep. The length is also important, with tables that sit 10 or more people very sought after. Rough price guide: Georgian pillar tables – £7,500 – £100,000 plus depending on the number of pillars/leaves and originality of table. Georgian pull-out tables – £5,000- £50,000 depending on length and condition Victorian pull-out and wind out tables – £3000-£20,000 again depending on length and condition. With all the price examples above, please be aware that exceptional timber, detailing, or provenance, can make any piece of antique furniture, worth dramatically more. This is a big subject that I will return to in a later blog, but for an overview of the subject it may provide the prospective purchaser with some guidance.
Many thanks, Mark Davis
Apollo Antiques Limited, Devon
:: Share or discuss :: 2009-09-19 :: admin
19 August 2009 // Filed under Uncategorized
Just back from a much needed break with the children. The antique furniture trade has been busy in what can be a quite period during the summer holidays. I have purchased several very good items of antique furniture over the past few weeks. These include a antique Devon pine dresser from a local farmhouse, a rare antique pine dresser base with four drawers, an antique burr ash wine / occasional table with fabulous top. Antique paintings, antique bronzes and antique silver, have also been strong sellers with lots of visitors around. If you have antique furniture you are looking to sell, now may be the time, as I am looking to re-stock for the autumn season.
Mark Davis
Apollo Antiques Limited, Devon
:: Share or discuss :: 2009-08-19 :: admin
