Happy New Year to all our friends and clients, including those we haven't met yet but will meet for the first time this year. Returning after our festive break we have decided to begin a new series of blog posts this time focusing on specific types of items in our collection. We begin with one of the cornerstones of our business and indeed of the antiques trade in general-seat furniture. As a dealership we seek out the best in design,... read more

One of the most famous names in antique furniture is that of Gillows. The precise date at which the Gillows family began to trade in their own right as cabinetmakers has not been established with complete accuracy but it was around 1730.  The founder of the firm was Robert Gillow (c.1702-1772) completed an apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker in Lancaster, becoming free in 1727 or 1728, initially working in partnership with George Haresnape. Gillow was a catholic, as was Haresnape, and... read more

In this blog post we will examine the work and careers of two designers, Arbus and Poillerat, together as so many of their greatest works were produced in collaboration with each other. Both born in France within a year of each other, they would come to dominate specific fields of design at the time with their lighting designs particularly favoured today.André Leon Arbus (1903-1969)Born in Toulouse, Arbus made his name in Paris as a graduate of the École des Beaux-Arts,... read more