Monthly Archives: March 2015

“That’s all right!”

Posted on 27th March 2015 by Jack Plane

I had just finished dinner at a local hostelry the other night with my friend Haydn, when a young woman he knew spotted him and came across to join us. After the introductions, Haydn asked “So what have you been … Continue reading →

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Bonhams – The Scottish Sale

Posted on 26th March 2015 by Jack Plane

Bonhams are conducting The Scottish Sale in Edinburgh over the two days of the 15th and 16th of April, 2015. Amongst the furniture on offer is this Edinburgh-made George III mahogany bureau bookcase (lot 501), attributed to London-trained Francis Braidwood (1752-1827). … Continue reading →

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Die Kommode mit funf Schubladen

Posted on 21st March 2015 by Jack Plane

… As the non English-speaking George I would have called this five drawer chest – the third of five chests of drawers that I’m making for the up-coming book. This chest dates from around 1720 and employs Virginia walnut veneer … Continue reading →

Posted in Books | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

eBay and Sotheby’s play nicely together

Posted on 18th March 2015 by Jack Plane

Today, eBay and Sotheby’s jointly announced the launch of the Sotheby’s live auctions experience on eBay. Part of eBay’s new live auctions platform, ebay.com/sothebys is now available for browsing and advance bidding on Sotheby’s unique items leading up to the … Continue reading →

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Buckets begorrah!

Posted on 17th March 2015 by Jack Plane

This year I decided to mark Saint Patrick’s Day with a post celebrating some peculiarly Irish furniture. Ireland is a country that incites endless superlatives as the result of her lush scenery and vistas, culture, and – amongst many unique products … Continue reading →

Posted in Antiques, Distractions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Chez Washington

Posted on 15th March 2015 by Jack Plane

Take a virtual tour of George Washington’s Mount Vernon mansion. Jack Plane

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Picture This XLVI

Posted on 14th March 2015 by Jack Plane

I have a real soft spot for the oft comical and quirky mediaeval and post-mediaeval ecclesiastical carved roof bosses, corbels, misericords and pew ends that adorn England’s cathedrals and churches. The subject of the carving on the end of one … Continue reading →

Posted in Antiques, Picture This | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

The Day one Man took a Deep Breath

Posted on 13th March 2015 by Jack Plane

This day marks the birth, in 1733, of Joseph Priestley, the man who discovered oxygen (prior to this, people presumably went about gasping like fish out of water). Joseph Priestly – equipped with the quintessential nose for oxygen-discovery. Oxygen is … Continue reading →

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Picture This XLV Redux

Posted on 13th March 2015 by Jack Plane

How wrong can one be? Following my (in my defence, not unreasonable – I thought) hypothesis regarding the function of the lopers in Elizabeth Carter’s bureau bookcase in Picture This XLV, I have received a communication from Celine Luppo McDaid, … Continue reading →

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Picture This XLV

Posted on 11th March 2015 by Jack Plane

A reader commented in Picture This XXV regarding the Elizabeth Carter bureau bookcase in Dr Johnson’s House in Gough Square, London. The location and design of the lopers in Carter’s bureau is unusual (fig.1). Fig. 1. Elizabeth Carter’s bureau bookcase. … Continue reading →

Posted in Antiques, Picture This | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments