Fr00 2

Furniture & Rugs

ON THIS PAGE

Overview

Furniture has become an increasingly difficult market, but one thing remains constant: quality craftsmanship and reputable makers always hold their value. Our specialists’ expertise encompasses five hundred years of style from the 1600s to mid-century modern. Whether you are a seasoned collector or first-time buyer, auctions are a fantastic way to source distinctive, characterful and long-lasting pieces to furnish your home.

Centuries of Style: Georgian, Victorian and Arts & Crafts Furniture

Clean, well-preserved Georgian and Regency furniture continue to attract the collectors across the UK. A prime example is a George III serpentine chest of drawers, which sold with us for £4,500 (+BP). Prominent names from this period include Chippendale, George Bullock, Gillows, and March and Tatham.

We also see excellent results for campaign furniture, particularly twin-handled brassbound chests, which are both fashionable and functional. Crafted from durable teak, a fine example was snapped up by a collector for £800 (+BP).

The Arts & Crafts Movement is appreciated for its exceptional craftsmanship, with pieces made by hand, typically from oak or walnut. The first exhibition was held in 1888, led by Charles Voysey. Other renowned designers include Liberty & Co., The Cotswold School, and William Lethaby. Catherine Southon has an excellent history of selling these iconic pieces - a Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson oak table achieved for £1,200 (+BP).


Mid Century Modern

The market for mid-century modern design furniture has grown significantly, with collectors and interior designers favouring Scandinavian simplicity and clean lines. The most sought-after pieces are by named designers, such as Arne Vodder, Arne Jacobsen, Eames, Gio Ponti, and Marcel Breuer. One standout chair by Danish designer Finn Juhl achieved £2,400. (+BP)  

Rugs & Carpets: Handwoven Quality from Reputable Sources

For centuries, rug making has been a celebrated and often sacred craft. Traditional handmade rugs are favoured over modern machine-produced examples. Different regions produce different designs, including pile (Soumak) and flatweave (kilim):

  • Persia – Kashan, Tabriz, Isfahan, and Qashqai
  • Caucasia – Kazak, Kuba, Shirvan and Karabagh
  • Anatolia (Turkey) – Hereke, Oushak, and Konya
  • Central Asia – Bokhara, Tekke, and Suzani
  • Europe – Savonnerie and Aubusson


All our rugs offered in our auctions come from private collections, often fresh to the market, and with typically with strong provenance. Our star lot to date was a handwoven Tekke Bokhara carpet, which sold for £10,000 (+BP) in 2022.

Looking for a valuation? Speak to our friendly team today for a free online valuation.