original Spanish Consulate Metal sign

At Brownrigg @ Home, with our roots in Spain with all its fine Spanish Antiques it is no wonder that we offer a fine selection of antiques from Spain. Antiques include Spanish Antique furniture, Spanish Antique ceramics and other Spanish Pottery.

Pottery has been an important item in Spain for over 4,000 years. But it was the Moors who took pottery to a finer level when they introduced iridescent luster ware and tin-glazed earthenware using techniques that dazed and amazed. Originally used for decorative tiles and vases, the factories began making bowls, cups and plates when the use of silver was restricted for domestic purposes in 1601, thus changing the history of Spanish ceramic art forevermore.

When in the 15th Century Moorish potters in factories near Valencia changed their designs from traditional Arabic to Christian scenes Spanish ceramics became extremely popular in Europe and competed head on with the French and Italians. The Spanish faience rivalled Paris best. Even the Pope gave his royal seal of approval, marvelling over Spain ability to create such things of elegance from mere clay. With backing from the Pope,Spain soon became the foremost ceramic producer in Europe.

A favourite museum in Spain is the Museo Nacional de Artes Decorative in Madrid with its rooms furnished to recreate different historical and regional styles. Here you can study original museum pieces of Spanish Antique furniture and Spanish Antique ceramics.

The typical Spanish antique furniture is heavily carved and robust with over sized proportions not commonly found today. Of great note is the dark wedding chests in Moorish designs and the Catalan four poster boards. In recent years Spanish antiques have gained international popularity as their rich woods mix beautifully with modern art. At The European Fine Arts Fair 2008 (TEFAF), Spanish antiques stole the show serving power punches of antiquity against stark modern interiors. On the rise in popularity, these pieces, which are typically too large for modern day Spanish homes, are ripe for purchasing.

After Madridand Barcelona, the next best area for Spanish antiques is Seville with its maze of narrow streets. The Alfalfa neighborhood, nearby Cabeza del Rey Don Pedro Street and adjacent streets, contains a large number of antique shops and galleries selling contemporary art. Then there is Valencia with its fine porcelain in the antique shops on the streets of Avellanas, Baja or Purisima or in the Ciutat Vella.

Brownrigg Interiors is a wonderful antique furniture shop selling Spanish antiques as well as English antiques, French antiques, Italian antiques, Swedish antiques. Also we sell decorative antiques collectibles and decorative antique furniture that can give new look to your home living or office. We sell antiques in UK and outside UK. We arrange transport and insurance for any antiques purchase from us regardless of its size, to anywhere in the world. Try us!

New Stock of Spanish antiques, French antiques and European antiques at Brownrigg Interiors

Today another consignment of antiques from France, Spain and Italy and other parts of Europe arrives at Brownrigg Interiors, and highlights the fact that London and Petworth, where our antiques shops are situated, are more firmly established than ever as centres of the international market.

We are often asked how we are able to offer such a wide and select range of European furniture and art, and our answer is always that we work hard sourcing inspirational pieces through our unique network of contacts and suppliers. But there is something else.

Wherever you live in the world, London and Petworth are key destinations if you are looking for an impressive selection to choose from (And websites like Brownrigg’s make the journey much easier). This is partly because the UK has the largest art and antiques market in Europe and is second only to the USA worldwide.

And because, historically, the UK has made itself the hub of change and development in the interior design and fashion world. A glance at the apparently never-ending succession of inspirational homes shown monthly in our leading interiors magazines proves the point.

We are pleased to say that not a few of the European antiques pictured come from Brownrigg. And eventually finding their way into the international media will be many of this week’s new arrivals. You can see them now on our website.

Never in the history of furniture making and design has there ever been such a sublime marriage as the one which took place in Sweden in 1771.

That was the year King Gustav III came to the throne and signalled the debut of gustavian style,a unique blend of Swedish and French sensibilities.

An interesting journey inspiring Gustavian Antique Furniture

Gustav loved French literature and was an ardent follower of French protagonists of the Enlightenment. In 1771 he travelled to Paris, and returned deeply influenced by everything he experienced and saw – not least the furniture.

It was the start of the fabulous era of gustavian furniture – the stunning marriage of Swedish neoclassicism and French Louis XVI styling. The wonderful designs which resulted have never been as sought after as they are today, when their combination of simplicity, sophistication and high impact makes them look so good in today’s fashionable interiors – and equally in town or country.

Recognising this style of antique furniture

At Brownrigg@Home we are proud to be able to find wonderful examples of the genre, and right now we have an exceptional range of Swedish pieces in stock.

Our charming late 18th/early 19th century commode has that beautiful pale painted look,a fabulous shape thanks to its fluted columns and feet and lovely greco-roman motif handles. You can see this here

From the same era our very smart Swedish bureau bookcase has that delightful old soft grey colour but plenty of presence and impact. A really stunning piece to have in any room.

The key neoclassical look is equally evident in our elegant Swedish bench, and the exceptional pair of gustation stools in their original paint.

For impact look at this 118 inch long gustavian sofa with its original paint and horse hair seat – a piece that King Gustav himself would have looked on with favour.

Between them, and the many other pieces in stock, not least our range of clocks, they show off everything we love about gustavian and Scandinavian pieces.

Timeless Quality

There’s a timeless quality about the English country house that emanates from the style and appearance of its furniture, mirrors and paintings.
Irish, Scottish and Welsh interiors have their own distinctive characteristics as well, and English country house owners often borrow from them, and from some French influences, to achieve an unsurpassed look. This harmonious combination can only be achieved by the careful selection of pieces with strong inherent qualities which express the outstanding nature of English furnishings.

Is there something special about the English Country House style

So what is so special about the English style? And which pieces most typify the country house and its close relative, the English townhouse?

First, the outstanding cabinetmaking and exceptional materials. Second, great patina on old woods and the colour of painted pieces. Third, wonderful proportions, especially in classically influenced furniture. And lastly, the apparently effortless combination of pieces from different eras, in particular the 18th and 19th centuries alongside the stylish 1920s and 30s.

Achieving the Country House look

1. In choosing the key pieces to achieve this highly desirable look, start by remembering that a large English upholstered sofa or two lends that relaxed feel that is so typical of the English house, and the ideal choice is often a classic chesterfield. beautifully piped and buttoned. This 19th century chesterfield is a great example of the look.

2. The sought after Howard style armchairs with their deep comfortable seats and clubby looks introduce that other important element of the English traditional look – the 1920s and 30s feel of fashionable living.

3. Old estate furniture, originally used for estate management, filing and storage, has now moved centre stage, and looks fabulous in living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms. You can find exceptional quality examples of this style of furniture juts have a look at this estate cupboard. Would work well anywhere!

4. There is the quintessential country house piece, that looks equally at home in town. It’s the simple painted cupboard and when you find a wonderfully proportioned, clean lined with classical architecture references, it has an aura that manages to be both relaxed and imposing at the same time.

5. Books are central to the English look and a stylish bookcase is always a good investment. This fine quality 19th century (around 1840) bookcase in pine should give you a good idea of what you could do.

6. Good mirrors are crucial to achieving the English mood, especially in a townhouse. They don’t need to be over restored or have a new plate, they just require good proportions and the charm that comes from gentle maturing. This rectangular mirror demonstrates how attractive an aged mirror can look. It will catch and reflect the light without being ostentatious.

7. And finally, paintings. They provide a key opportunity to bring character and individuality to a home because of their personal nature and the way they demonstrate your individual taste. Forget some of the established English artists and look at the exciting unknown painters who produced exceptional work, particularly in the 1930s, 40s ans 50s. Our original portrait of a young woman by Harry Young, signed and dated 1932, is finely executed (ref.4485).

Find inspiration from all around, The English Country Style certainly did.

And don’t forget that the inclusion of continental European or Scandinavian pieces in an English style room is a well-established tradition and can certainly add to the overall feel.

Creating a room is like composing music. The pieces of furniture you choose are the notes you use and an inspired combination will produce a brilliant result.

Spain, France, Italy, Sweden and Denmark all have distinctive styles of antique furniture which will enhance a contemporary or classical setting and mixing these skilfully will give great authority to the final look.

In future issues I will go into more detail on the antiques of each country. For now I would just like to summarise the key looks from around Europe.

Spain

Spanish furniture embraces the ornate baroque and rococo styles as well as the simple country look exemplified by walnut or oak refectory tables with wonderful curved ironwork and stunning patination.
Always strong on impact it is equally typified by the very fine carving and gilding you can see on our magnificent pair of early 19th century Spanish console tables

France

French furniture ranges from delightful country buffets, tables and armoires in attractive woods like cherry, lime, pear, oak and elm, to more sophisticated examples made for town use. Look out for marble topped commodes and gueridons in mahogany or walnut. Sometimes country and town combine in outstanding examples like our 18th century three drawer serpentine commode in elm

Italy

Italy has always been at the forefront of furniture design and fashion, and its ornate and highly decorative styles have been in constant demand, sometimes painted, often gilded and sometimes polished to show off the finish of the wood. Its position was maintained in the 20th century as our stylish Italian occasional table shows

Sweden and Denmark

The Scandinavian countries are renowned for the classical simplicity of their lines and the delicacy of their look, exemplified by pieces from the Gustavian period (1775 to 1810).Pale woods were most popular, often painted in light pastel tones to help create light filled spaces in houses during the long Nordic winters. I think these pieces look equally sensational today in hot sunny climates!
A great example is this elegant early 19th century painted bureau with its fabulous blond wood interior

We hope we inspire your antique collections

In the future I will be highlighting in turn the commodes, cupboards, tables, seating, mirrors and objects of each country and how to identify them correctly. I will also look specifically at the best of English furniture.

Check out our website for inspiration on combining pieces from these different countries to get that “wow” look. At Brownrigg we don’t do boring or bland so you can choose the exciting ingredients for some stunningly harmonious interiors.

To see examples of all the above please visit Brownrigg@Home’s gallery

We’ve started this new blog so that we can provide you with some useful tips and advice on how to fill your home with exceptional antiques, as well as, of course, being able to supply them to you.

Buying antiques from mainland Europe has become very simple, straightforward and, dare I say it, fashionable. Yet you need to be even more careful than ever when buying to ensure you get a fine, authentic piece.

My likes in antiques of European origin focus on Spanish, French, Italian, Swedish and Danish, especially from the 18th century. But there are also many outstanding examples of superb antique furniture from the 19th and 20th centuries, and at Brownrigg we concentrate on supplying the best from all three centuries, and sometimes earlier.

Here are five golden rules I always consider before I buy antiques. These I apply to all purchases whether European, Scandinavian, Worldwide!

1. Impact: does the item given a favourable first impression?
2. Proportions: are the proportions pleasing and correct for a piece of its age?
3. Patina: are the colour and patina a pleasure to look at?
4. Workmanship: is the quality and finish of a high standard?
5. Condition: is the furniture in appropriately good condition for its age? (Remember, some antiques, such as tables and chairs, get more use than others, so expect more natural wear).

At the end of the day though, if you have fallen in love with a piece it’s almost certainly the right one for you!