Skibo Castle Bed

New to Graham Smith Antiques this week we have a beautiful four poster bed.  From the photograph below you can see the deeply ornate carvings surrounding the structure and get a sense of the overall of size of the bed. With dimensions such as the width being 200cm (78.7 inches) you will need a few volunteers to help erect this bed however the bed does disassemble into manageable sections for transport.  To appreciate the enormity of the bed, a viewing is strongly recommended.

The bed is from Skibo Castle (shown below), located on the Scottish Highlands; it was built during 12^th Century but later reconstructed during 19^th Century.  It is now the home of the Carnegie Club and members-only hotel, with stunning views and grounds, it is no wonder it was the venue for Guy Ritchie and Madonna’s wedding.  You can find more information, photographs and dimensions on the antiques atlas website.  You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook, or browse more of our stock online, via our Facebook store.

G.S.Antiques Facebook Store

The speed at which we develop our technology is truly astonishing, it can be the definitive factor behind the success of companies and individuals. Social media has never been this active with the likes of Twitter and Facebook leaping into the foreground, creating new and exciting opportunities for all. Graham Smith Antiques are the first UK antique business to have the pleasure of announcing the arrival of our brand new Facebook Store.

Our objective is to improve our services by making antiques more accessible to a wider audience. This means developing and using a simple and clear navigational system throughout the online store and providing helpful features such as "Antique Terminology" to explain the language used in the item descriptions. The store links in securely to Paypal so that customers can quickly and easily make purchases without leaving Facebook. Currently the Facebook store takes UK orders with a plan to expand into international orders in 2012.

ID: 9579

Each week our team of staff will carefully select items of furniture, smaller items and gift ideas to ensure a fresh set of choices for our customers. Photographs are included with the option of viewing the item up to ten times the original size. A popular item among the staff and customers, shown in the photograph above, is a beautifully decorated Victorian jewellery box made by "Garrard & Co". For those who are not familiar with "Garrard & Co." they were the UK Crown Jewellers from 1843 to 2007.  More information is available on our Facebook store together with many more splendid and unique items, which you can enjoy from the comfort of your armchair, all available from Graham Smith Antiques.

FitzRoy's Remarks

With the strength of summer thinning out, predicting the weather becomes a more practical and necessary preparation for the day.  1st August 2011 marked the 150th anniversary of the first weather forecast, printed in "The Times", researched and developed by Admiral Robert FitzRoy.  FitzRoy, commander of the infamous HMS Beagle, appointed Charles Darwin as his on board companion who discovered and named a new species of dolphin, "Delphinius Fitzroyi", in honour of the Captain. 

In 1859, an unforeseen storm caused the loss of the Royal Charter, counting the highest number of deaths at the time.  This catastrophe inspired FitzRoy, who by that time was head of the British Meteorologist Department, to develop charts based on data collected by electrical telegraphs in order to predict the weather.  It was Fitzroy who first coined the term "weather forecast" and established Barometer stations as well as inventing the "Admiral FitzRoy Domestic Barometer".  Since 2002, his name is announced daily on the UK's BBC Radio 4, as part of the shipping forecast. 

Graham Smith Antiques are proud to present a FitzRoy Barometer, encased in carved oak.  The Barometer is in full working order and in great condition, the "FitzRoy's Remarks" columns a pleasing inclusion in this piece.  The Barometer is located in our Jesmond shop and on our website which provides more information, photographs and dimensions. 

"FitzRoy's Remarks"

All In The Call Of Duty!

Following on from our last blog, posting following Graham's travels in France, Graham also visited Champagne for some background research into which bottle of bubbly would be suitable for our antique champagne glasses (see images below) which are new to our website and shop. A very important task, Graham took it in his stride and did thorough "research" eventually deciding on the Brut and Rosé.

An abundance of pride, care and patience goes into the production of the champagne, including a three year waiting period for the champagne to ferment; almost three times longer than the minimum that the Champagne authorities stipulate. 

The champagne produced by Mr Charbaut, pictured above, is made from three types of grape, which were all grown on the family vineyards, originally landscaped in the 1930's by Mr Charbaut's grandfather.  The grapes are pressed, fermented and eventually bottled with yeast, sugar and a pressure cap.  The gradual process of upending the bottles over the years, allows the remaining sediment to travel to the neck of the bottle which is then frozen.  This clever technique enables the easy removal of the sediment, trapped within the block of ice. More champagne is poured into each bottle to fill them and then finally the cork, label and wire are attached, and the champagne is finally ready for storage and sale. 

Such a fascinating process which brings together tradition and quality must be paired with excellent quality drinking glasses.  At Graham Smith Antiques, we have just sold our large set of champagne glasses, leaving a classic set of six glasses and three elegant champagne flutes available to buy in our shop, pictured below.

Set of six French Champagne glasses, circa 1920

Traditionally shaped glasses are becoming hard to come by and their delicate elegance still appeals today. The set of six champagne glasses would encourage any owner to celebrate even the smallest of successes in style. Such distinctive glassware offers a fine excuse to invite friends and family over with the opportunity to savour the glamour of the past. This set of champagne glasses would make a sophisticated addition to any home. You can access more information and photographs via our Jesmond shop or website.  For further details regarding the Champagne Cave please visit the Charbaut website:

http://www.champagne-guy-charbaut.com/