Rare Antiques & Fine Art — Sourced from French Estates

Louis XVI style carved giltwood vanity bench, late 19th or early 20th century.

Kidney-shaped caned seat within a moulded and rope-twist frame. The back and sides rise as a pierced gallery: reeded rails tied with ribbon bows and paterae, hung with carved rose garlands centred by a beaded oval medallion of bellflowers. Apron carved with a leaf-tip border and a central tablet of ribbon-tied foliage, with flowerhead blocks above four cabriole legs carved with acanthus and ribbon-bound husks, on scrolled feet. The gallery back is pierced and plain. Underside with a central brace and slotted screws.

Gilding worn and darkened overall, rubbed through to red bole and gesso on the high points, notably the ribbon knots. Small chips and losses to the carved bows and garlands. Original cane, intact, with darkening and staining. A slight gap in places between the caned seat and the frame. Scuffs to the feet. Stands firmly.

40 in wide, 18 in deep, 18 in high / 102 x 46 x 46 cm

Three-panel folding screen, canvas over wood frames, late 19th or early 20th century.

Each panel decorated with the same design on an ochre ground: a central bouquet of carnations and roses within a scrolled cartouche, flower garlands and ribbon swags above, foliate scrolls below, in rose, sage and charcoal. Edged with domed brass nailheads. The reverse in plain ochre canvas, each outer panel with a cut hand-hold at the top.

Overall crackle to the surface. An L-shaped tear to the lower centre of the left panel, a slit near its top and a small tear at its lower left corner. Fabric hinge strips lifting in places. Small white paint marks to the front. Scratches, scuffs and a water stain to the reverse.

Each panel 36 x 11 x 1 in / 91 x 28 x 2.5 cm

Antique braided straw sewing stand, late 19th century.

Round lidded work basket worked in plaited straw, the sides with rows of straw rosettes over darker woven panels, the lid with a coiled centre and ring handle. Interior lined in pink with a ruched straw-plait border; the underside of the lid padded and buttoned as a pincushion. Raised on a straw-wrapped central column and three splayed legs with scroll and spiral brackets, joined by stretchers.

One loop missing from the lid handle. Fading and staining to the lining. Some losses and fraying to the straw, notably at the foot of one leg, where the wrapping has come away to show the wooden core and old tacks. Stands firmly.

28 in high, 13 in diameter / 71 x 33 cm

A Napoleon III tilt-top guéridon, the scalloped top in black lacquered papier-mâché and the base in ebonised turned wood. The centre of the top is a shaped reserve painted with a bouquet of cream and pink roses, a blue morning glory, a red auricula and smaller flowers. Around it, the fluted dish is painted with trailing morning glory and gilt scrolls, inside a gilt border of tiny arcades.

The baluster column and the three scrolled legs are covered in fine gilt foliage. Underneath, the top tilts upright on its original block and brass turn-catch, so the table stands flat against a wall when not in use.

Measurements: 28 inches high, top 18 inches across.

CONDITION

Fine crackle to the lacquer and the painted flowers overall, and small chips and wear on the scalloped rim. The base is sound and the gilding there is bright. The table is sturdy throughout.

DETAILS

Form — tilt-top guéridon (side table)

Height — 28 in / 71 cm

Top diameter — 18 in / 46 cm

Top — papier-mâché, black lacquer, painted and gilt

Base — ebonised turned wood, gilt decoration

Hardware — brass turn-catch and keeper

Period — Napoleon III, around 1860, on style and construction

A tall wooden pedestal column, hand painted with a cascade of chrysanthemums in yellow, white and rust red on a soft sage-green ground that deepens to brown at the foot. The painting is signed G. Kestens and dated 1900 at the lower right. The column stands on a moulded round base on small feet and carries a round top with a moulded edge.

A display stand for a fern, a bust or a large vase, or simply a decorative piece in a corner.

Measurements: 40 inches high, base 12 by 12 inches.

CONDITION

The painted surface has an overall fine crackle, part of its age. One vertical split in the column at the back, below the top, with lifting paint along it. Chips and wear to the edge of the top, some rubbing and marks on the back and on the top surface, and wear to the base.

DETAILS

Form — pedestal column, plant stand

Height — 40 in / 102 cm

Base — 12 x 12 in / 30 x 30 cm

Material — painted wood

Decoration — hand painted chrysanthemums, signed G. Kestens, dated 1900

Date — 1900, as painted

A carved wooden fire screen with a tapestry-style panel showing "Sight" (La Vue), one of the six Lady and the Unicorn tapestries in the Musée de Cluny, Paris. The lady sits on a blue island of flowers holding up a mirror, with the unicorn resting its forelegs in her lap and the lion beside them, on a red ground scattered with mille-fleurs, rabbits and trees.

The panel is framed in a close row of brass nailheads. The frame has a pierced fretwork cresting and apron in the Chinese taste, with cloud-scroll ears at the corners, and stands on two shaped trestle feet. The back is covered in a cream paper with a small clover print.

Good in front of an unused fireplace, or as a freestanding picture in a hall or bedroom.

Measurements: 34 inches high, 26 inches wide, 7 inches deep. Panel 22 by 22 inches.

CONDITION

The panel is faded and rubbed in places, most visibly on the unicorn and the lady's face, with the weave showing through.Light wear to the finish. The paper backing is torn along one side, with foxing spots.

DETAILS

Form — fire screen on trestle feet

Height — 34 in / 86 cm

Width — 26 in / 66 cm

Depth — 7 in / 18 cm

Panel — 22 x 22 in / 56 x 56 cm

Subject — Sight (La Vue), after the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries

Frame — carved wood with pierced fretwork, brass nailheads

Period — early 20th century, on style

A two-tier side table in the Napoleon III manner, late 19th century in style. The four legs are turned and ebonised to look like bamboo, with gilt rings at the joints, and sweep out into curved feet.

Both shaped tops are covered in gold velvet, embroidered with scrolling acanthus, palms and flowers in rose, cream and old gold around a central posy. The lower shelf carries its own spray of flowers and fern leaves. Each tier is edged with a woven braid and a full tassel fringe.

A decorative piece for a bedroom, a boudoir corner or beside a reading chair.

Measurements: 28 inches high, 18 inches wide.

CONDITION

Sold as found. The velvet is worn and faded, with dark staining on the lower shelf, a few small holes and pale marks on the top. The fringe is complete but faded and loose in places. The legs show rubbing to the black finish and the gilt rings. Underneath, old woodworm holes in the frame, and one leg joint with old damage and exposed wood under the top. Stands firmly.

DETAILS

Form — two-tier side table

Height — 28 in / 71 cm

Width — 18 in / 46 cm

Legs — turned wood, ebonised as faux bamboo, gilt rings

Tops — embroidered velvet, braid and tassel fringe

Period — late 19th century, on style

A small upholstered stool in the Napoleon III manner, covered all over in deep blue velvet. The seat carries an embroidered panel worked in wool chain stitch: acanthus scrolls in ochre and pale gold around a central rosette, with madder and rose accents.

Every part of the frame is dressed. The legs and the X-shaped stretcher are wrapped in velvet and braid and studded with small stamped rosette nails, a velvet-covered boss sits where the stretchers cross, and a deep fringe of tassels hangs below the seat.

Measurements: 12 by 12 inches across the seat, 18 inches high.

CONDITION

The velvet has faded  along the seat edges and is worn through in places on the legs and lower frame, with some fraying at the corners. The embroidery on the seat is bright and complete. The stool has a  wobble and should be tightened before use. 

The textiles appear older than the frame, which may have been rebuilt or re-covered at a later date.

DETAILS

Form — square upholstered stool, X stretcher with central boss
Seat — 12 x 12 in / 30.5 x 30.5 cm
Height — 18 in / 46 cm
Covering — blue velvet, fibre untested
Seat panel — wool chain-stitch embroidery
Trim — tassel fringe, woven braid, stamped rosette nails
Period — Napoleon III style; textiles 19th century in appearance, frame possibly later