Do Antiques Make Good Christmas Gifts?

It is sometimes very difficult to find a unique and appropriate present for the adults in our life who seem to have everything they need. Something that will be valued, cherished, used and last a lifetime. Electrical, IT equipment and gadgets often end up in the back of a cupboard when the battery or novelty fades. Fashionable things often don’t hit the spot and go out of style the next season anyway. Very few things given as presents seem to be truly valued and last as we hoped they would, do they?

So each year we have to consider what to give ‘the man who has everything’ or the relative or good friend who seems in need of very little (present wise!).  So why not consider giving something antique? There is a whole world of things to choose from; from small collectables items, ephemera, art work, jewellery, to large pieces of antique furniture.

Antiques can bring absolute delight to an unsuspecting and grateful recipient who may have a passion for the items given or will benefit from the enjoyment and use over many many years.

Sometimes the antiques you give older relatives can eventually come back to you. For example I quite regularly gave antiques as presents to my late parents who enjoyed using them for many years and then left them to the family when they passed. A lovely antique desk I gave my father is now used by my sister and the Ruskin pottery given to my mother now takes pride of place in our display shelves.

As we, at Burrells Antique Desks, specialise in selling beautifully restored antique desks, tables and chairs we hope that our furniture will bring great enjoyment and be of use for many generations. Customers do sometimes buy from us to give as presents. The recipients often know what they are receiving as these are very practical and often expensive items and we are available to help with the choice if needed. We can bring up to three items of furniture to the customer home or office to enable them to choose the right piece with our ‘Try Before You Buy’ option.  
 
If you are considering a beautiful piece of furniture for a Christmas gift why not look at our selection of antique chairs that can be used to enhance any room as occasional seating or used with an antique desk or writing table. All of our chairs desks and tables are sympathetically restored polished and ready to grace any home or office or library.

You may also consider the impact that an Elegant French Ormolu Walnut Table

or beautifully Inlaid Antique Table   would have in a sitting room or lounge. We have some really stunning pieces that you will be hard pressed to find anywhere other than very expensive antique shops.

Maybe a lovely Antique Victorian Landscpe Oil Painting for a lover of the English countryside?  

Antique Victorian landscape Oil Painting of the English Countryside in Surrey

Any of our pieces of antique furniture could make a wonderful present for a spouse or for a family gift for the home. We can talk to you about fast UK delivery or world shipping door to door if you email us your post code or zip code so why not ask?
 
And we would just like to say a big ‘Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year’ to all our customers and blog readers!From Kathi and Gavin Burrell

New Stock of Antique Desk Chairs and Tables

During the summer we have been working to enlarge our range of stock. We have been particularly searching for suitable desk chairs and writing tables and have found and restored a number of these.

They include SN509  A pair of very good quality Antique Open Armchairs

Antique Pair of Open Armchairs

 SN508 An antique mahogany and hide upholstered Victorian Desk or Library Chair

Antique Victorian Desk Chair or Library Chair

 SN486 An Antique mahogany desk or library chair.

Antique Mahogany and Leather Desk or Library Chair

We have a number of writing tables in mahogany, walnut, rosewood and oak.

SN490 Antique Georgian mahogany writing table, circa 1830

Antique Mahogany Writing Table

SN504 A Walnut Queen Anne style writing table , circa 1920

SN494 Antique Rosewood Library table attributed to Gillows, circa 1830

SN491 Antique William IV Oak partners library table, circa 1835

Antique Mahogany Partners Library or Writing Table

Two which are especially eye-catching are:

 SN506 Antique French walnut and inlaid writing table, circa 1860

 SN501 Antique marquetry and parquetry bureau plat, circa 1870

Antique Marquetry and Parquetry Table

 In our Other Antiques section we have added  SN488 A pair of Victorian mahogany bedside chests.

Pair of Antique Mahogany Bedside Chests

All these items are restored and presented to our normal high standard.

Awaiting and in restoration we have two pairs of mahogany open armchairs, Two partners library tables and a large mahogany partners desk circa 1870.

Please do not hesitate in contacting us should you wish for any further information concerning these items.

Buying Antique Furniture On-Line

Ideally we would all like to have the opportunity to view our potential purchase in person. To be able to examine the piece carefully, check its authenticity, look at the quality of the materials and the construction, check for damage, any old or new repairs and the skill involved in their execution etc.

But sometimes we just don’t have the luxury of visiting antique dealers in person. You may have short-listed a number of pieces that are located far and wide and have only the antique dealers’ description and images on which to base your decision. At times like this you may waver and ask yourself if it is safe to purchase without seeing the item first hand. These are, after all, valuable pieces of furniture which often require a substantial investment.

If you find yourself in this quandary then you may wish to consider the following points:

1. Ensure that the seller of the item is a bona-fide Antique Dealer with a physical address that you can contact by telephone and visit if you want to. Ring them up and discuss the item you are interested in or their products and services in general.
2. If possible choose a specialist in the type of furniture you are looking for as they will usually have a better selection and more expertise in the selecting quality items for sale.
3. Check whether they have a professional restoration service as this usually means the furniture will be of better quality and any restoration will be sensitively undertaken. 
4. Check that the antique dealer is an expert in his or her field with a good track record. With the economy as it is some antique dealerships have been bought by entrepreneurs from other backgrounds with no real knowledge of antique furniture and may not be able to offer the same service and advice as an expert in the field.
5. The stock that is for sale on the website should have good quality images of all aspects of the piece with additional images available on request.
6. There should be good descriptions of the item, with an estimated (circa) date and a note of any repairs, old or new, original features such as locks, handles and castors (that may have been replaced over the years) and any professional restoration that has been carried out.
7. Look for a ‘Customer Comments or Endorsements’  (this one is ours) page on their website or via a consumer or business directory with customer ratings. Feedback from other customers is generally a good indicator of a company’s integrity and customer service but of course it can and has been abused by some businesses so be guided by your common sense and instincts.
8. Customers buying on-line are also protected by the ‘Distance Selling Regulations’ in the UK, which allows for the cancellation of a purchase within 7 working days, from receiving the item.  The refund does not include the cost of transportation, which the customer will need to cover.

We have been selling antique furniture for more than 35 years now and over this time we have completed many overseas transactions where customers have purchased purely on the images we offer, condition reports and descriptions on our website: Burrells Antique Desks. 

Many overseas customers are understandably concerned about the safety and handling of their antique furniture while it is in transit to them. We can assure them that we only use specialist antique shipping companies who great care in handling all pieces of furniture and also offer insurance cover on the the cost of the item and transportation costs. Our advice to overseas customers are HERE

Antique Desks Prices on the rise at Auction

Auction Sale Prices Strong:
Reviewing the prices of fairly standard 19^th century antique desks in auctions recently it seems prices are firming up compared to 12 months ago.  I have seen a fairly original late 18^th century  mahogany desk, (58 inches by 24.5 inches) sell for £12,000 at Dreweatts and, as it was sold to the trade, there will be restoration costs before being presented for sale. We could surmise then that this smallish desk will command a fairly substantial price on the open market so dealers must be gaining confidence in the trade.

In Mallam’s Auction Rooms a rather plain mahogany partners desk circa 1840 (60 inches x 36 inches) made £4,200, with 20% vat + buyers premium the purchases is paying £5208 before any restoration costs. These are fairly strong prices for unrestored antique desks so it would seem that antique desks are becoming increasingly popular.

I am not sure where these particular desk will end up being sold, whether they will grace a high-end London Antique Emporium or be on sale through an online dealer such ourselves at Burrells Antique Desks, but it is clear that the prices will be much higher than similar desks we have on offer.  We would expect to sell similar examples in restored condition for comparable prices to the under the hammer price (before VAT restoration and Fees) and we include UK mainland delivery and installation.

This obviously means that our antique desk prices are very attractive at the moment but if the trend continues prices are shure to rise as we replenish or stock! So you or someone you know are in the market for buying an antique desk, antique writing table, desk or library chair then it is worth pursuing our current stock for a good deal while you can.

Why are People Buying Antique Desks ?
One obvious reason is that antique furniture can be a great investment and will last you a lifetime. Although not guaranteed they often do increase in value over the longer term. So at some point in the future you could cash in your investment or pass it on as a family heirloom.

Antique William 1V Mahogany Partners Desk

During the last 30 or so years I have been in the antique trade, good quality large mahogany and oak desks have always been sought after. Those in good condition and not over restored will always return the seller a substantial price after years of use and enjoyment. 

Another advantage is of course to benefit of having a beautiful piece of well made furniture gracing your office or study. If you are furnishing business premises large impressive antique furniture gives your office a very substantial, mature and weighty feel, promoting a sense confidence, centuries of tradition and therefore financial security (even if you set up in business yesterday!)

Antique Mahogany Scottish Partners Desk

What about an Antique Writing Table or Library Table?
Similarly Antique writing tables and library tables are increasing in value so it is a good time to buy at the moment. They offer a good alternative to the desk if you are looking for something that is more versatile in its uses. They are often easier to place in the home/study as they have very generous working surface area and can double as a dining table for example.

Antique Mahogany Writing Table

Traditionally antique writing tables would be used in the office for meetings and for additional storage and working space.  Large Partners Tables would often be found in solicitors or barristers chambers or in Victorian libraries and typically offer two or three drawers on both sides of the table.

Antique Mahogany Writing Table

Why Buy from Burrells Antique Desks? 
We are antique dealers first and foremost not just ‘sellers of online antique furniture’. We specialise in antique desks, writing tables and chairs and as such have years of experience in buying, restoring and selling such furniture. We know what to look for when buying with the customer in mind and keep to very good quality, serviceable pieces that are not excessive in price.

Antique Mahogany Irish Partners Desk

Our customers are offered a first class service with as much advice and information as they need to decide on a purchase that is right for them, with an after sales service should it be required.

We work very hard to ensure that the sympathetic restoration we undertake does not undermine the integrity of the antique. This we think makes our desks more cost-effective and have a better long-term investment potential than those bought privately through the sale room.

Investing in Quality Antiques

With all the talk in the media of spending cuts and economic gloom investors would be advised to invest in quality antiques.

With the low-interest rates and rising inflation the value of our savings is starting to drift downwards again.

 

 

 

Antique Victorian Walnut Library Table

Buying a good quality antique desk, writing table or library table, for use in the home or the office, should prove to be a good long-term investment. We are often asked for advice on what to choose when considering  an antique piece of furniture for investment purposes.

I always advise clients to go for the best quality piece they can afford as such pieces will always be recognised and valued and often retain their value in the market place.

During the past 35 years that I have been in the antique furniture business Georgian Tables  Antique Chairs and Mahogany Partners Desks have always commanded a high price. Those in good original condition or sympathetically restored are serviceable and decorative providing good value for home and business alike. 

 

 

 

A Large Regency Period Antique Partners Desk

At Burrells Antique Desks we strive to provide those good investments for or customers and take all the hard work out of locating a suitable antique desk or antique writing table.

We go to antique fairs and auctions of all types all over the country to source the best desks tables and chairs we can find. Most of the time we do need to undertake much restoration, sometimes pieces will need a complete restoration  other times only cleaning and waxing. Whatever restoration work we have undertaken we will detail in our descriptions of an item for sale and we also provide more photos or details as needed by our customers.

The Scarcity of the Antique Desk Chair

 If you are the proud owner of an antique desk or writing table  you would probably want a beautiful quality antique chair to compliment it. Not only do they look wonderful and are built to last they are usually very comfortable to sit in too. Most antique chairs have been built by skilled craftsmen who have taken much time and immense care to produce a fine piece of furniture that the owners can be proud of. Antique desk chairs and library chairs in particular are built to cope with heavy usage from the gentlemen, of all sizes, in offices and libraries, where they were destined to serve.

We at Burrells Antique Desks are always seeking antique desk and library chairs to complement our desks and writing tables but recently we have become aware of a shortage of good quality chairs. Over recent months we have found many in poor condition and precious few that need little attention. Consequently we have been making considerable efforts to find desk chairs which are in original condition but of sufficient quality to warrant restoration to our usual high standard.

If you are looking for a good quality antique desk chair or library chair for you home office or business we do have some lovely restored examples by Heal and E. W. Godwin  available at present. We also have two large early Victorian mahogany examples with horse shoe shaped backs awaiting restoration. These two should be available over the next month so keep returning to our website at Burrells Antique Desks to find a rare quality piece of antique office furniture. 

Antique Mahogany Desk Chair or Library Chair circa 1850
This desirable antique Victorian desk chair has recently been restored and re-upholstered in quality chestnut hide. It is made from best quality mahogany timbers with a tight grain and attractive figuring.

A Fabulous Pair of Antique Oak Desk or Office Chairs circa 1890
Pair of Antique Office or Desk Chairs It is rare to find such a good quality matching pair of office armchairs.
These late Victorian desk chairs have recently been restored and re-upholstered in chestnut-brown hide. 

Antique Mahogany Desk or Library Chair by Heal circa 1884
A very rare and capacious antique library or desk chair made from solid mahogany with a padded deep buttoned back in chestnut-brown hide in an unusually complex design.

Antique Arts and Crafts Swivel Desk Chair
The design of this stylish Desk Chair is attributed to E W Godwin and probably manufactured by James Peddle, a firm of cabinet makers in London. A similar chair is illustrated in ‘The Secular Furniture of  E.W Godwin’ by Susan Soros.

Good Customer Service

Giving a good service when customers purchase one of our antique desks or antique writing tables  is of paramount importance to us. Purchasers requiring delivery within 200 miles of Kidderminster will have their antique desk delivered and installed by Gavin Burrell personally. Beyond that distance we use a small family business which specialises in the delivery of antiques.

Customers outside the UK within Europe are well serviced by a transport company that offers very competitive rates and a rapid service. In these cases we pack the items ourselves, initially with bubble wrap and then with card board.

Those customers who are in North America or other World wide locations can choose sea or air-freight. Air-freight tends to be more costly than sea freight however the advantage is speed of delivery, 2 – 3 weeks after purchase rather than 8 – 12 weeks. In both of these instances the antique desk is individually wrapped and has a wooden crate made for it. This ensures that the antique desk or writing table arrives in the condition described and viewed on our website.

The following email was sent to us by a customer from the USA who made a purchase in January  2011. :

“Just a note to let you all know that the fabulous French desk has been un-crated and set up in my make-shift study while we continue work on the old study. It is an amazing piece of furniture and is everything your web-site said it was. The packing job was as exquisite as the desk – we almost hated to disturb it. Not a single scratch or dent in the contents. Thanks so much to all at Burrell’s and Simon Hall who helped make this a wonderful snowy day in Delaware. I could almost care about shoveling the walks now that I have this new treasure.  With greatest appreciation.”  Mr. Hayward

We aim to ensure that all our customers are as satisfied as Mr Hayward.

Please Note: We now have new stock, Three very different desks, a Gothic Oak Desk;

a Georgian Partners Desk,  

Antique Georgian Mahogany Desk

a mahogany pedestal desk

Antique Mahogany Pedestal Desk

and a good pair of Victorian oak office chairs.

Antique Oak Desk Chairs

New Stock for the New Year

Despite the adverse weather conditions we at Burrell Antique Desks have managed to find some very attractive items for our customers!

Look out for these pieces which are coming soon to our website:

Adding to our great sellection of Large Antique Desks we also now have: A very handsome large antique Regency mahogany partner’s desk with the original ebony knobs which measures 72 inches by 42 inches.

Our small to medium sized antique desks will soon include a rare Victorian Gothic revival antique pedestal desk with lancet (a pointed arch) panelled doors enclosing sliding trays in one pedestal and 3 drawers in the other. This antique desk measures 54 inches by 36 inches.

Soon to be added to our antique desks is a charming 18^th century style oak pedestal desk with an olive-green leather writing surface, 60 inches by 27 inches. This desk is circa 1930, made from solid oak in a distressed manner to give the appearance of antique oak furniture. This desk would look good in an old English style setting or a beamed cottage.

We also stock antique chairs  to which we are adding a beautiful set of six William IV rosewood side or dining chairs of exceptional quality with Chinese influence pagoda style backs. We have just had the seats upholstered in good quality neutral coloured fabric which has really brought them back to life.

We would like to wish a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all our customers.
From Gavin & Kathi Burrell

The Question of Provenance in Antique Furniture

The question of provenance is a major factor affecting the value of any antique.  But what exactly is provenance?

provenance is the known or documented history of manufacture and ownership of an antique. A full provenance, with undisputable documentary proof, is fairly rare but does exist with furniture makers such as Gillows where the original invoice may be still with the piece.

Of course it is pretty rare to find such documented evidence with any antique item, what we generally find is makers labels or stamps and occasionally paper stickers with addresses had written on the back. The difference in the price that can be achieved by having substantial documentation can be shown in a recent auction of  a library table and bureau. Both had indicators of belonging to Royal households.

On the 3rd November 2010 Dreweatt Neats sold a rosewood library table, in the manner of the cabinet makers Morel and Seddon. Below the table top were a stamp dated 1866 and two labels reading “Windsor Castle Room 255/1886, no31 and 255. 

This table was estimated at £2000 / £3000 and made, with the buyer’s premium, £48,000. Obviously at least two bidders thought that the table had Royal provenance and bid accordingly even though there was no documentary evidence to back this supposition.

Bonhams New Bond Street sale rooms auctioned the second item, an important early 18th century figured walnut, crossbanded and featherbanded bureau of unusual design estimated at £30,000 /50,000.  Its provenance amounted to two ink inscriptions on the inner backboards:  “To His Grace The Duke of Chandos at Shaw Hall, near Newbury, Barks”.  The desk also had an impressive documented history which contributed to it final sale price of  £114,000 , more than double its estimate.

The implication I am making is that the rosewood library table would have made considerably more had it had that documentary evidence detailing manufacturer and ownership.

Of course items of furniture such as these are rare and in short supply, as is the huge amounts needed to purchase them! 

But if you are seeking a piece of furniture with some provenance, albeit a little less regal than those mentioned above, there are antique desks or antique writing tables from well-known makers of the 18th and 19th century which have stamp marks as provenance.

We have for example an antique partners desk  

 stamp marked for M Willson, 68 Great Queen Street and a similar partners library table   for the same manufacturer.

We also have an antique partners library table 

stamp marked for Johnson and Jeans

And a small antique side table   for Holland and sons (suppliers to the Royal family) all London makers.

We have two very good quality Scottish desks  for sale; one  from Wylie and Lochhead  

and one from the Edinburough firm  ‘J & T Scott 

We also have a good quality and very substantial octagonal oak drum library table   made by a Wolverhampton cabinet-maker in an Arts and Crafts Design.

It is possible to research the history of these firms and although such marks are not common on English furniture those manufacturers at the top end of their trade were proud to display their name and be associated with what they produced.  Their antique desks and tables were generally made to a very high standard.

Burrells Antique Desks Sale

Winter Sale Now on at Burrells Antique Desks.

The sale runs until 24^th December 2010 so nows the time to purchase that beautiful piece of antique office furniture at a knock-down price!

Gavin Burrell: ”For 7 weeks only, as a Pre-Christmas promotion, we are offering discounts of up to 15% on a wide range of quality antique pieces.  Now is also a good time to purchase to beat the January *VAT increase of 2.5%.”

Discounts are available on antique partners desks, antique writing and library tables, antique desk chairs and library chairs and a selection of other antiques. 

  Some of the items with discounts are illustrated on this page but it is best to check the various sections on our website Burrells Antique Desks.

We still offer free UK mainland delivery and customers outside the European Union can make further savings. Those customers in other parts of the world further savings are available as no VAT is included.

All of our antiques are carefully chosen for quality and serviceability and we do not stock reproductions. Each piece is professionally restored by us and in most cases we deliver ourselves.

If you have been considering buying an antique desk or antique writing table this is a great opportunity to make a real saving. Further information about our antique desks and writing tables is always available either by email enquiry or telephone.  

We currently have a good selection of large 19^th century partners’ desks all in sympathetically restored condition. Our aim when restoring is to bring the timbers back to life without stripping back to bare wood and thus retain the integrity of the patina that has developed over many years.

 

 

 

 These large antique partners’ desks and antique partners’ library tables have become difficult to find over recent years and we believe we have one of the best selections in the UK

*For business clients registered for VAT there is the opportunity for further discount by paying the VAT as an addition to the purchase price and then reclaiming it in the next VAT return.