Australian antiques dealers defend “brown furniture”

An association of antiques dealers has recently defended “brown furniture” after Bonhams Australia claimed that it wasn’t economical to sell “people’s wardrobes”. According to Mark Fraser, the chairman of Bonhams, the company would focus on (more…)

Sales surge for collector of old skis

A man in Colorado whose business turns skis into furniture experienced a huge sales boost in (more…)

Sotheby’s to auction antique Indian furniture

Ivory furniture given to the first British Governor-General of India, Warren Hastings, will be auctioned at Sotheby’s in London this week. The furniture was commissioned by (more…)

Hidden message sees family reunited with couch

The owner of a store which sells chairs in Canada recently made a decision to return an antique sofa to family members of the (more…)

Handmade sofa on Alan Carr’s Chatty Man made by Gateshead company

The gold sofa holding pride of place on the set of Alan Carr’s Chatty Man was hand made by a small (more…)

Antique chairs from the Leeds Coloured Cloth Hall to be auctioned

The Cheffins Fine Art Sale, which is taking place later today, will feature 17 antique chairs which were previously housed in the Leeds Coloured Cloth Hall.

The antique dining chairs are made of mahogany and date back to 1790. The auction will be held in Cambridge, with the lot’s value (more…)

Bonhams auction to include Lockwood de Forest antique chairs

A pair of antique chairs to be included in the Fine American & European Furniture, Decorative Arts & Silver auction on (more…)

Antique seats at Selhurst Park sold to fans

Seats that have been part of the main stand at Selhurst Park since 1924 are being ripped out and replaced as part of a renovation programme. The ground is undergoing work to improve the football stadium, to be completed before (more…)

Antique barbershop created for museum

A vintage barbershop has been recreated for the Northwest Franklin County Historical Society museum in Hilliard. The antique barber’s chair and other antique items have (more…)

Rare antiques sold as family restoration workshop closes

A Norwich family’s restoration workshop has closed down after being in the antiques trade since 1870, with the stock left at the family business being placed at auction. Four generations of the Brett family have worked in the family business, although current owner James Brett has decided that it is the right time to sell up and move on.

The family business started out as a furniture retailer and manufacturer in Norwich, eventually expanding the company. During 1931, the family opened a New York showroom while associated with an American company. Although James Brett attended art school in Norwich and worked for an antiques dealer in London, he eventually went to work alongside Frank, his father, in Norwich. James, who is 70 years old, believes that the restoration of antiques is a time consuming business which fewer people are prepared to pay for.

Although James doesn’t know how much to expect from auction, he knows that much of the stock is unavailable elsewhere. He added that some of the stock had been spotted by collectors, so his hopes were high.

Some antiques dealers have experience in Restoring antiques, allowing the buyer access to items that are still in – or close to – their original condition. This is especially important with furniture like antique balloon backed dining chairs , which will have some wear and tear. James is hoping that younger people who are interested in the restoration of antique furniture will buy some of the lots for sale, including table tops made from various types of wood and furniture mounts.