Yew Wood -the Yew tree is native to Europe, Asia and North Africa. It has a golden orange-brown heartwood which matures into a yellow-brown colour which is streaked with dark purple-mauve and brown patches, with veins and tiny clusters and knots of in-grown bark. It has a white to cream sapwood which provides an attractive […]
A Winding Mechanism for extending tables was patented in 1861 by Samuel Hawkins. His business was taken over by Joseph Fitter in 1864 who ran a machinist shop in Birmingham, England. He produced winding mechanisms for expanding tables as well as screw expanders used for piano stools.
William Tillman worked from the 1970s until the 1990s making fine quality reproduction furniture. His pieces are of the highest quality and are collectors items being sold from the famous London stores including Maples, Peter Jones and Harrods. Each piece was meticulously produced to be as close as possible to the original ensuring it would […]
William IV – the short reign of William IV (1830 – 1837) marked the transition period between the Regency style which had been an age of innovation based on revivalist styles inspired by ancient Egypt, Greek and Roman designs and the Victorian era. William IV furniture maintained a similar style to Regency furniture with copies […]
William and Mary style – this describes the decorative arts style that came to prominence during the reign of William III (also known as William of Orange) and Mary II of England from 1689 to 1702. It is also known as early Baroque. The style blended into the Queen Anne style which became popular when […]
A Wellington Chest is a piece of travel furniture designed for military officers going on campaigns and so had to be compact, practical and easy to dismantle and fold. Named after the 1st Duke of Wellington, the first chest of this type appears in the 1820s and is characterised by a tall narrow shape usually […]
Waring & Gillow a noted firm of English furniture makers, was formed by the merging of the famous Gillow of Lancaster and Waring of Liverpool in 1897. Gillow’s of Lancaster were highly successful furniture manufacturers and retailers throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, but running into financial difficulties in last years of the 19th century, […]
Walnut woods have been used for centuries for furniture making and was the most popular of the exotic woods. Walnut veneers was expensive and the cost rose in relation to the fanciness of the veneer – the more decorative being highly sought after. Burr Walnut (also known as Figured Walnut) was considered the best and […]
Victorian Furniture – the Victorian period coincides with the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901. Industrialisation was the key feature of the Victorian era and this enabled the mass production of furniture to suit the needs of the ever expanding middle classes who saw furniture as a status symbol and so demanded more […]
Vervelle Audot – was one of the most renowned french cabinet makers, manufacturers and furniture sellers in mid 19th century Paris. Jean-Francois Vervelle founded the firm of Maison Vervelle in 1804 and went on to exhibit at the Paris Expositions of 1827 and 1844 as well as at the Paris Exposition Univeselle in 1855. Henry […]