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Friday 21 September 2012

Victorian Card Games Box

Shown below is a fine example of the Victorian's love of games, displayed beautifully in this rosewood, mother of pearl and pewter inlaid box.  With the box being in such excellent condition, including four sets of original period playing cards, two of which are complete, nestled in silk lining, this item is not only a collectors and card enthusiasts rare treasure, it is also an excellent gift or decorative addition to your home.  


The cards, the reverse of one is shown below, were printed by De La Rue & Co, set up by Thomas De La Rue of Guernsey in 1832.  Thomas De La Rue later became recognised as the inventor of the modern English playing card, making this set one of high quality.



For further information about this and all our antiques please visit our illustrated website, or better yet, pop into our themed showroom in Benton, Newcastle Upon Tyne.

You can also follow us on Twitter or Facebook for regular updates, photographs and more insights into the antiques business.




Saturday 15 September 2012

Shapland & Petter Wardrobe

Following on from the heritage theme of the Belleek pottery blog, this week's blog is centred around the Devonshire based furniture makers: Shapland and Petter.  With increasing public interest in their products, it is somewhat surprising that so little is widely known of the company's history. Sadly in 2009 the company became another casualty of the current recession.  Before then however, Shapland and Petter was the largest employer for 150 years in Barnstaple, Devon, UK, employing many hundreds of local people from the time of it's birth in 1854.  

Shown below is one of our wardrobes produced by Shapland and Petter displaying beautiful floral inlays. This piece is very typical of the Arts & Crafts movement, and perhaps gives a clue as to the business's success and reputation.  



Circa 1900, this remarkable specimen would have been made shortly before Shapland and Petters both died. It was not long after their deaths that the company was merged with The Barnstaple Cabinet Company to create North Devon's largest employer in 1924.  A brief history of Shapland and Petter can be found on the following link.  



For further information about this and all our antiques please visit our illustrated website, or better yet, pop into our themed showroom in Benton, Newcastle Upon Tyne.

You can also follow us on Twitter or Facebook for regular updates, photographs and more insights into the antiques business.