Condition report

 H 65 x L 48 x D 43 cm

The Aesthetic Movement in Britain (1860 – 1900) aimed to escape the ugliness and materialism of the Industrial Age, by focusing instead on producing art that was beautiful rather than having a deeper meaning – 'Art for Art's sake'. The artists and designers in this 'cult of beauty' crafted some of the most sophisticated and sensuously beautiful artworks of the Western tradition and in the process remade the domestic world of the British middle-classes.

These new Aesthetic artists included romantic bohemians such as Dante Gabriel Rossetti, William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones; maverick figures such as James McNeill Whistler, then fresh from Paris and full of 'dangerous' French ideas about modern painting; avant-garde architects and designers such as E.W. Godwin and Christopher Dresser; and the 'Olympians', the painters of grand classical subjects who belonged to the circle of Frederic Leighton and G.F. Watts. (source and more on the subject: Victoria and Albert Museum, London)

 

Condition:

- Both chairs in general in very good and stable condition, with the normal wear and traces of use. 

- The wooden crowns at the top with some chips.

- The upholstery in general in very good condition, with only negligible damage to one of the two chairs.

- See also the additional pictures.

H 64 cm

 

Condition: (UV-checked)

- The bottom of the vase drilled.

- The top of the vase with traces of glue (due to a former mount).

- A small superficial glaze chip to the top.

- With some breaks with related overpaint.

- The bronze ears later added.

H 41 cm

 

Condition:

- The sculpture in good condition, with the normal negligible wear and minor traces of use.

- Inscribed with the number '2035'.

- A cachet referring to the 'cire perdue' technique.

- See also the additional pictures.

H 90 x L 61 x D 50 cm
Upper tablet size: 37 cm wide on 42 cm deep

Condition:
- Both in sound condition with typical minor abrasions and subtle discolouration.
- One with a reglued chip to the front.
- The side elements of the rear panels have been attached from a different fragment of the same type of marble.

H 28 cm

Condition:
- All vases in good condition with typical small rim chips.
- The covers also with some chips, one cover with the finial reglued.
- Overall of attractive appearance but in need of a good cleaning.

H 155 x L 157 x D 36,5 cm

 

Condition:

- The two-part item in good condition, with the normal wear, some traces of use and a minor restoration.

- See als the additional pictures.

H 88 x L 130 x D 64 cm

 

Condition:

- The shop counter in general in good condition, with the usual wear and traces of use.

- A small chip to the left bottom corner.

- See also the additional pictures.

H 121 x L 53 x D 53 cm

Condition:
- Overall appearing in good condition.
- Minor scuff marks throughout, minor losses to the paint, some have been retouched.
- There are some firing flaws as visible.
- Please refer to the additional images.

H 51 x L 42 cm

 

Condition:

- The mirror in very good condition.

- The frame in good condition, with the normal traces of use and wear. Small missing piece left bottom corner. Corner joints visible, with a small retouching.

- See also the additional pictures.

 

 

H 210 x L 108 x D 41 cm

Condition:
- Overall in good condition, structurally very sound, with typical minor superficial wear and small losses to the paint and extremities.
- The metal wiring in the doors somewhat bent, as to be expected.
- Previously applied with electrical wires and lighting on the inside, which has now been mostly removed. The remaining bit can be removed on request.
- All doors open to the full extent.
- Three keys are present.

Provenance:
- Acquired from a mansion near Liège in the south of Belgium.

H 115 x L 21 x D 21 cm

 

Condition:

- Both colums in general in good condition, with wear, traces of use and minor damages. Some cracks. Stable. Rather difficult to use as candle holders.

- See also the additional pictures.

H 197 x L 130 x D 56 cm

Condition:
- Generally in good, antique condition.
- Interior shelves fixed.
- Repairs to both sides, where damaged sections have been replaced with old wood fragments.
- Interior depths: 44 - 47 - 47 cm

H 95 x L 58 x D 54 cm

Condition:
- Generally in very good condition, with typical minor superficial wear.
- The base with a superficial chip to the rear and normal wear throughout.

Contrary to popular misconception, the genre of wood carvings known collectively as Black Forest carvings do not emanate from the Black Forest region of Southwest Germany at all.  They are in fact the work of the master craftsmen of the Swiss region of Brienz, on the northern shore of Lake Brienz, situated in the South East corner of the Canton of Bern. The confusion probably stems from the fact that the rich darker woods favoured by the carvers of Brienz bear a striking similarity to the dark pines from which the Black Forest region gets its name. At the end of the Napoleonic Wars, as the continent of Europe reopened to wealthy British travellers, Lake Brienz emerged as a popular stopover for gentlemen undertaking a Grand Tour. The man credited with founding the tradition of carving in Brienz was a wood turner by the name of Christian Fischer (1790–1848). When the village was struck by famine in 1816, Fischer began adding ornate carvings to ordinary household goods, such as bowls, cups, and boxes to sell as souvenirs to tourists.

His efforts proved so successful that Christian was soon able to open his own workshop where he trained fellow villagers in his art, in order to meet the growing demand. Most carvings focussed on the flora and fauna of Switzerland, with bears, goats, sheep, and birds of prey much in demand, as well scenes from local life such as shepherds and Swiss cottages. In addition to purely decorative figures or group carvings, the workshops applied their skill to a wide variety of useful household items. These included ornate and highly desirable clocks, hat stands, inkwells, umbrella stands and even chairs and tables. As travellers returned home with their Grand Tour souvenirs, so in turn the reputation of the Brienz craftsmen was greatly enhanced, and the town soon became synonymous with fine wood carving. With support from the Swiss government, Brienz artists were encouraged to exhibit their works worldwide, notably winning several medals at the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London.

In 1884 a School of Woodcarving was opened in Brienz, and to this day remains the only institution in Switzerland where young people can train in the art of wood carving. In 2009 the Swiss Woodcarving Museum was also opened in the town, where many of the regions finest works can be seen.

H 165 x L 109 x D 53 cm

 Condition:
- Generally in very good, original condition.
- Minor scuff marks to one side.
- Shelves removable, each shelve has a 41 cm depth.

H 124 x L 62 x D 18 cm

 

Provenance:

- An important Belgian private collection.

 

Condition:

- The relief in general in good condition, with the normal wear, traces of use and small chips.

- On the left side the end of the arch broken off. A petal broken off.

- Small restoration to the right top corner.

- See also the additional pictures.

 

H 133 x L 82 x D 48 cm

Condition:
- Overall in good, stable condition, with normal minor superficial wear throughout.

H 89 x L 121 x D 62 cm

Condition:
- Generally in very good original condition.
- Minor superficial wear throughout, commensurate with the age.
- A hole to the lower right corner of the rear panel.

H 185 x L 159 x D 60 cm

Condition:
- Structurally sound, the mostly original paint somewhat worn.
- Cracks, wear, and minor losses throughout.

H 74 x L 198 x D 90 cm

 

Condition:

- The table in general in very good and stable condition, with minimal traces of use. The faux galuchat also in good condition, with the normal wear and traces of use.

- See also the additional pictures.

H 118 x L 189 x D 49 cm

Condition:
- Interior shelves, back panel, top and base likely later additions, with some colour difference.
- Overall in good, presentable condition, with normal minor superficial wear.

H 80 x L 56 x D 28,5 cm

 

Condition:

- The wall hanging cupboard in good condition, with the normal wear and some traces of use. Negligible chips.

- The left side panel missing.

- The back with the normal traces of an earlier suspension.

- See also the additional pictures.

H 77 x L 142 x D 72 cm

 

Condition:

- The table in good and stable condition, with the usual wear, traces of use and rust.

- See also the additional pictures.

H 97,5 x L 45 x D 123 cm

Condition:
- Excellent, fully original apart from the locks. Beautiful patina.