George Tinworth’s story was a story of determination, courage and exceptional talent. As a boy, he already showed his talent in art by carving butter stamps. His neighbour noticed it and suggested he study at an art school. So when he got older, he pawned his overcoat just to pay the fee for evening classes to study pottery. George began his career with Royal Doulton when John Sparkes advised Henry Doulton to hire him. He was making a name for himself by becoming the premier artist for Royal Doulton. George’s name lives on, not only in his works, but he also has a street named after Him – “Tinworth Street” in Lambeth.
One of the things that attracts me to vintage and antique things is they have stories, and even if I don't know the stories, I make them up. Mary Kay Andrews
The term “Mid-Century Modern” was already being used as early as the mid-50s, but it wasn’t until author Cara Greenberg mentioned it in her 1983 book, as a descriptor of the design aesthetics at the time, that it gained attention. The term is now used to define a design movement originating from a bygone era, specifically those from the mid-40s to the early 70s. This was due to the renewed interest in furniture designs which began in the early 20th century. Despite the advent of postmodern aesthetics, mid-century modern never truly went into a decline. Nowadays, mid-century pieces are still highly sought-after in auctions and sales. Even authorised reproductions are in high demand.
Huon Pine : The Chests and Davenport
Lagarostrobos franklinii is a species of conifer native to the wet southwestern corner of Tasmania, Australia. It is often known as the Huon pine or Macquarie pine, although it is actually a podocarp, not a true pine. Join Jason and discover three ways this beautiful timber has been used by cabinet makers.
The whole point of collecting is the thrill of acquisition, which must be maximized, and maintained at all costs. John Baxter, A Pound of Paper: Confessions of a Book Addict
From 1932 up till the 1950s, her regular exhibitions at the Sedon Galleries attracted mind-blowing reviews and her natural talent was aided and developed by academic training. She was a member of the Victorian Artists Society after becoming an established water colourist and graphic artist adn in those early days when radio and programs aired on it were popular, Marguerite gave lectures on design. Before withdrawing from ceramics work, Marguerite produced ceramics for the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games Arts Festival. And her works are highly valued and sort after by collectors.
The Tasmanian chair is delicately balanced and finely worked and displays a congruence with Sheraton’s finest aspirations for chair making. All of the decoration owes its origins to Hope – no other chair recorded has the fineness of detail and superior design, form and construction of this chair.
JOACHIM WENDTS:One of Adelaide’s finest Colonial Silversmith
Wendt’s silverwork included extravagant naturalistic creations, stylish domestic designs and pieces which showed restrained Regency taste and ranks with the finest produced in Australia in the second half of the nineteenth century. To this day his works are highly sought after by silver and Australiana collectors.
Arne Jacobsen (1902 – 1971) “The Swan and Egg Chairs”
Today, Arne Jacobsen is remembered primarily for his furniture designs. However, he believed he was first and foremost […]
TIP OF THE WEEK. Did you know?
HOW TO CHECK IF YOUR CHINA IS CRACKED.
Sometimes even the keenest eye cannot see the fine crack in a china vase, teapot or cup. The ear never lies. Simply hold the vase lightly, being careful not to drop it and tap on the side with your finger nail (gently). It should “ring true”, sounding crisp like crystal. If it sounds dull , then it is most likely cracked.
At the end of the Second World War, designers led the trend for futuristic designs in a bid to forget the horrors of the past. Of all the designers that grew to prominence in that era, few can surpass the legacy left by Grant Featherston. In 1947, Featherston launched his Relaxation Series. This series was designed to be aesthetically pleasing and timeless without sacrificing comfort. This cemented Grant Featherston as a household name
The Royal Doulton is now one of Britain’s foremost and largest pottery companies with over 30,000 products and an international clientele. But it wasn’t always that way. Did you know it started very small? In fact, it was started by a young pottery apprentice with only £100 in a harsh time, a time to either sink without a trace or go on to make a name for himself.
His outstanding work of his stoneware fountain, whiskey still worm and two terracotta fire grate backs catapulted his career.
Our ethos is Read.Watch.Learn.Grow. The more you visit Learn Antiques, the more articles you read, the more videos you watch….the more you learn and the more you grow. A simple life strategy. (click to read more)
Our admiration of the antique is not admiration of the old, but of the natural. Ralph Waldo Emerson