Homes & Antiques June 2021

Welcome to the June issue of H&A! This month we celebrate the arrival of summer with our feature The Magic of Midsummer on page 40. Whether or not we find ourselves released from social distancing is anyone’s guess, but longer days and warmer evenings lend themselves to dining outside, and Selina Lake’s dreamy styling ideas will add a little magic to even the simplest meal. This month’s houses are a wonderful architectural mix: from a 15th-century Welsh hall house (p80) to a mid-century townhouse on south London’s Dulwich Estate (p62). Each one offers a fascinating insight into the owners’ personalities and interests. The Stewarts’ house in France (p70) reflects Gloria’s love of 18th-century decoration; while artist Lottie Cole has filled her home (p52) with many of the details that will…

Paul Atterbury answers your antiques queries on ‘Ask an Expert’ Paul is a writer, curator, lecturer and long-term Antiques Roadshow expert. He has been involved in art and antiques for much of his life. ‘As I live in Dorset I am spoiled for choice. However, a favourite spot is the Hardy Monument (Nelson’s friend, not writer Thomas), a stone structure high on a hill above Portesham. There are wonderful views in every direction.’ Janet Gleeson explores the history of Waterford Crystal in ‘Behind the Brand’ Janet worked at Sotheby’s and Bonhams as a picture valuer before becoming a writer. She is the author of seven books including The Sunday Times non-fiction bestseller The Arcanum, and is co-founder of The Dorchester Literary Festival. ‘My favourite picnic spot is in Cerne Abbas, on top of Giant Hill.…

A special gift I was interested in the article ‘What to Buy Now’ in the April issue of the magazine recommending AE Gray ceramics and in particular pieces by Sam Talbot. In 1952, while on holiday in Tenby with my parents and sister, we stayed in a small hotel. The man sitting on an adjacent table at mealtimes evidently took a shine to me. He asked for my name and address and, on our return, I received a personalised mug with my name and date on it, with an accompanying note from SC Talbot and his business card. Liz Collins, Hampshire Just desserts Thank you for the article ‘Period Drama’ (April 2021) about cooking old recipes and serving them in a traditional style using linen tablecloths, antique china and glassware. I particularly liked the…

1 the ANTIQUE ORREFORS GLASS VASES As we fill our homes with summer flowers, thoughts turn to vases, and none are more stylish than those made by the famous Swedish glassmakers Orrefors. The company, based in Småland, has been in production since 1898. The turning point in the company’s fortunes came in 1913 when a new owner, Consul Johan Ekman, focused on cut crystal and art glass pieces. The company’s vision widened significantly in 1916 and 1917 when two artists, Simon Gate and Edward Hald, were employed to develop new designs and techniques. Their first triumph was the Graal (grail) method of engraving decoration onto thin glass – an innovation that earned both the artists and Orrefors the Grand Prix at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris,…

The personal belongings of historically important figures continue to be a major draw at auction. And the latest items to be snapped up for significant sums by collectors were a brandy glass and evening slippers belonging to Sir Winston Churchill. The brandy balloon and midnight-blue velvet slippers, both of which are monogrammed with the gilded initials WSC, sparked a flurry of interest when they were offered for auction by Bellmans in early March. Trouncing their pre-sale estimate of £10,000 to £15,000, the hammer went down at £32,000 on the war-time prime minister’s footwear. The winning bid was made by a private UK collector. The brandy balloon, meanwhile, went to a telephone bidder from the UK, who paid £15,000 (plus buyer’s premium) after outbidding keen collectors from the USA. ‘Sir Winston Churchill is still…

Rise and shine Europeans fell for lacquered objects from East Asia in the 16th and 17th centuries, mesmerised by the glossy, flawless finish. Bright and lustrous lacquer pieces, both antique and modern, are enjoying a revival. Susie Atkinson’s new collection of lacquer bobbin mirrors and side tables in joyful colours and shapes are made in the UK using layers of high-gloss resin. From £870 for a mirror and £1,040 for a table. susieatkinson.com SYLVAN SIDEBOARD This coppiced sweet chestnut and cherry sideboard from Sebastian Cox’s latest collection, Products of Silviculture, ticks all the boxes for a piece of heirloom furniture. It is made from sustainable sweet chestnut, harvested from Sebastian’s ancient woodland in Kent, and well-managed crops of English cherry. £1,800. sebastiancox.co.uk The Modern Collector Liberty’s new fabric and wallpaper range, The Modern Collector, is…