Dutch Tea Buckets
Thakeham Furniture Blog
by Harriet Chavasse
2y ago
We are currently offering this wonderful selection of 19th century Dutch tea buckets, here at Thakeham Furnture. But what are they and what were they used for? With tea being such a valuable commodity through the 17th to 19th centuries, no expense was spared in the making of accessories that added to the experience of consuming this sought after luxury. Tea caddies were made to store the tea, sometimes with decorative flourishes such as inlay or Tunbridgeware. Teapoys were grander affairs, standing on legs. Both caddies and teapoys would come fitted with canisters for storing the tea, a mixin ..read more
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5 Ways That Antiques Are Good for the Planet (and you!)
Thakeham Furniture Blog
by Harriet Chavasse
2y ago
Reduces landfill When you buy a new piece of furniture, as soon as it leaves the shop floor, its value immediately drops to almost half. Whereas an antique, with its history and quality of craftsmanship, will hold or increase its value as the years go by. Antique furniture was hand made from properly seasoned timber, so the need to replace due to damage is minimal… compared to the average 15 year cycle of modern pieces. So where landfills are full of modern furniture from a well-known Scandinavian furniture giant, antiques are cherished in the home, kept in the family or re-sold. Reduces c ..read more
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Wikinson Patent Dining table
Thakeham Furniture Blog
by Belinda Chavasse
2y ago
New in this month is this Regency period metamorphic mahogany extending dining table of Wilkinson patent type. These were ingeniously designed ‘metamorphic’ mahogany dining tables, complete with extra leaves, which closed to form a fold-over side table of compact form. This type of patented dining table, first advertised in 1807 by the cabinet-making firm of Wilkinson & Sons of Brokers Row, later Ludgate Hill, London, were created in order to occupy little space when not in use . The folding-top D-end side table with reeded edges, opens with a hinged action, with a brass-mounted ‘concerti ..read more
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Why Do We Use Spokeshaves?
Thakeham Furniture Blog
by Belinda Chavasse
2y ago
One of the tools people are surprised to see hanging in our workshops is the spokeshave. A very ancient tool, they were originally made in wood as wheelwrights’ tools, for shaping the “spokes” of a cartwheel. Similarly, they were commonly used by the Windsor chair makers of the 18th and 19th centuries for shaping stretchers and splats, while the spindles were turned on a lathe. The  early design consisted of a metal blade with a pair of tangs to which the wooden handles were attached, as with a drawknife. These early wooden spokeshaves are delightful tools – the finer ones are usually ma ..read more
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Dealer’s Choice: Exceptionally fine set of four Georgian mahogany hall chairs, in the manner of Gillows.
Thakeham Furniture Blog
by Harriet Chavasse
2y ago
We are delighted present this stunning set of four Georgian Hall chairs, in the manner of Gillows. The arched backs have carved paterae and painted recessed panels. The moulded seats below are raised on turned reeded legs. They are a rare design, of refined elegance and handsome proportions, and it is not hard to imagine them in the large hallway of a grand house. And the big house that they originated from in this case was Gargrave Hall, Yorkshire, seat of the Coulthurst family during the late 18th and 19th century. Although occasionally hall chairs were painted with the family cre ..read more
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What is Patina?
Thakeham Furniture Blog
by Belinda Chavasse
2y ago
  One of the most frequent questions we are asked is “What is patina?” It is one of the most difficult things to describe, and yet it is that extra ingredient which transforms the surface of a piece of furniture from the ordinary to the exceptional. Put simply, patina is the surface formed by a combination of the ageing processes caused by rubbing, dusting and waxing, coupled with oxidisation of the wood and the action of the sun’s rays, producing a bronze-like lustre, or “skin”. The flat yellow colour of walnut becomes golden and “honey-coloured”, with wonderful depth. Oak richens from d ..read more
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Antique Miniatures vs Apprentice pieces: What’s the difference?
Thakeham Furniture Blog
by Harriet Chavasse
2y ago
  Miniature Georgian mahogany chest of drawers Here at Thakeham Furniture, we usually hold a stock of miniature antique furniture. Always popular, these charming pieces are often the subject of much discussion… why were they made? And for what purpose? People like to use the term ‘apprentice pieces’ when referring to these, but more often than not this isn’t the case. But what is an apprentice piece and why are they often confused with miniatures? Here we aim to answer these questions! … George III miniature mahogany chest The majority of miniature furniture are in fact sample pieces used ..read more
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Secrets of the Glue Pot
Thakeham Furniture Blog
by Belinda Chavasse
2y ago
  When people come into our workshops here at Thakeham Furniture [visitors are always welcome], one of the things that astonishes them is the sight of a traditional ‘glue pot’ containing hide or ‘Scotch’ glue, such have been used in workshops since the 17th century! Scotch glue is an adhesive, similar to gelatin, that is created other by prolonged boiling of animal hide, and it is used hot.  It comes in the form of pearls, which are first soaked in water; the technology of the glue pot, however,  has moved on: we use an electric double skin device. Why not use modern, synthetic ..read more
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What Is a Bonheur Du Jour?
Thakeham Furniture Blog
by Belinda Chavasse
2y ago
A bonheur du jour (in French, bonheur-du-jour, meaning “daytime delight”) is a type of lady’s writing desk. It was introduced in Paris by one of the interior decorators and purveyors of fashionable novelties called marchands-merciers about 1760, and speedily became intensely fashionable. The bonheur du jour is always very light and graceful, with a decorated back, since it often did not stand against the wall (meuble meublant) but was moved about the room (meuble volant); its special characteristic is a raised back, which may form a little cabinet or a nest of drawers, or open shelves. The to ..read more
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A History of Hall Chairs
Thakeham Furniture Blog
by Harriet Chavasse
2y ago
Once a staple feature of stately homes throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, hall chairs occupied a prominent position in the home’s entryway. Placed to accommodate guests entering the home before they were invited into the more intimate inner rooms, they also provided a discreet resting place for waiting servants, the solid upright back prevented slouching! Thomas Chippendale’s ‘The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director’, 1754, featured the first designs for the hall chair. The backs, carved from solid wood, were often painted with the family’s coat of arms and motto, which these ..read more
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