Gilding is the process of covering a material with a thin layer of gold. Adding golden hits to furniture dates back to the seventeenth century in England and the outcome has remained highly prized ever since. During the eighteenth century, gilding was used in imitation of French styles of furniture which were popular at in the period.The application of gold to wooden surfaces involves a number of materials and takes place in numerous stages. First, Gesso, a type of plaster, is applied to the wood in layers. Many thin layers are built up to create the appropriate thickness or depth of Gesso. Once the right depth is achieved, the gesso is craved to create new decorative elements on the existing wooden framework. When the carver is happy with the designs, the gesso is coated with a mix of finely ground red clay water and glue called bole. This layer gradually polished to create to create a smooth and even surface which facilitates the application of the gold coating. Finally, sheets of gold leaf are applied to the carving, and carefully overlapped so as to cover the entire surface. The covered area is then burnished with stone tools. This final polish brings out the luminescence of the gold leaf.Gilding is used to add decorative details to furniture, or to give a piece the appearance of solid gold. Several fine examples of gilding are on display at in the galleries of Reindeer antiques, the earliest of which dates from c.1700. This exceptional William III carved settee was commissioned by Sir Thomas Osborne, the First Duke of Leeds for his house at Wimbledon, Surrey or for Kiveton Park, Yorkshire. The wonderful carved gilt gesso decorations of this piece are in the Baroque taste and clearly inspired by the designs of Daniel Marot.From c.1760, we have a carved George III Chippendale period mirror in the rococo taste. Surrounding the mirror, the gilding highlights the contrast of light and dark in the profusely carved with C and S scrolls of acanthus leaves, bull rushes and Ho Ho birds.

Veneers, Inlay and MarquetryMarquetry and inlay are two distinct decorative techniques used extensively in Georgian furniture design. Both techniques use veneers to add decorative elements to the surfaces of various types of furniture. Veneers are thin sheets of wood which are often glued to a ‘core’ panel to give a surface greater visual appeal. On the Georgian cabinet pictured below, the flame mahogany veneeres are a wonderful addition to the piece.

Under the heading Fashionable Furniture in the popular the magazine of the early nineteenth century, Ackermann’s Repository of Arts, appear two library chairs. These are described by the author as “two of the most convenient and comfortable chairs perhaps ever completed.” One of two the chairs in question is a Bergère Library Armchair, on the left of the illustration below. Bergère armchairs were noted for their utility as they regularly featured ‘arms’ to hold a small movable desk and a candlestick. Each piece, Ackermann suggests, “has become a favourite piece of furniture for the library, boudoir and other apartments.”

As the weather takes a turn for the worst and the sun sets sooner in the day, hats coats and scarves are layered up over thick jumpers and try their best to keep us warm. At Reindeer antiques, the Christmas tree is up in the window and, this year, is surrounded by some of the finest Comic Art prints on Kensington Church Street.Eager to welcome back a firm favourite, we are delighted to hang many of Annie Tempest's original watercolours and prints on our walls. Full of wit and good humour and renowned for its weekly appearance in Country Life, the artwork from Tempest's series Tottering By Gently is sure to put a smile on your face.

The connections between architecture and furniture design are longstanding. Zaha Hadid, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and Robert Adam are all known to have designed both buildings and furniture and supplied inspiration and patronage to furniture makers. At Reindeer Antiques we focus on Georgian furniture and it is clear, even to an untrained eye, that there are many similarities between this period of furniture design and the classical vocabulary used for buildings. It only seems right that the interior design of great houses should marry that of their framed envelope. At Reindeer Antiques we have several pieces of furniture from the George I period (1714 – 1727), a time when great Palladian mansions such as Moor Park, Holkham, Chiswick and Houghton were built. These Kentian houses were designed like classical temples and their interiors were similarly grand. Gilded furniture incorporated architectural motifs which were theatrical and flamboyant. Side-tables and console tables had Italian marble tops and were gilt decorated with friezes worked with Vitruvian-scroll moulding. Heads of gods, sphinx, eagles, dolphins, satyrs and nymphs could be used in equal measure on both buildings and furniture. On display we presently have a pair of beautifully carved George I period giltwood wall brackets supported by Greek styled female masks. Their design bears a strong resemblance to the female masks carved on the entablature of the marble hall at Raynham Hall, Norfolk by William Kent.

City living is not an obstacle for the antique furniture lover. Even though there are certainly pieces created for grand historical homes, there is a wealth of others that can be seamlessly integrated in a more modestly sized space. There are a few key elements to take in consideration when buying antiques for a flat or pied-à-terre.  The first one is to find pieces proportional to the space available. There are beautiful pieces that are of nimbler proportions that will fulfill the purpose of bigger ones just as well. For example, this pair of Louis XV design side tables is lower and daintier than some of its counterparts. These would work well as bedside tables for lower set beds or if the distance between the wall and the bed is narrow. Highly ornate styles can also be found in smaller pieces. These mirrors may be small , but the tear shape lengthens them and the ornamentation makes a bold impression.The second one is to look for pieces that have elegant and elongated lines. These characteristics help create a sense of height, lightness and space. This spider table is a good example of this. The dark shade of mahogany and thinness of the legs create a beautiful sense of elongation and space.The third one is to find pieces that are versatile and adaptable. Tables that have flaps allow for the perfect compromise between daily need for space and hosting guests on special occasions. This gorgeous Pembroke table is a great example of this. The center is beautifully decorated with marquetry, which makes it an eye catching piece, whether or not the flaps are deployed.  The fourth one is to look for pieces with a practical shape. Ovals are better suited for wider spaces while rectangles and squares can easily be placed against a wall or in a corner to maximize space. To create even more space than with the above-pictured tripod table, the placement of the legs is also something to look at. Having swept legs or four at each corner will allow sliding a chair underneath. This will help to create more space, but can also create a small office space. For more inspiration, do not hesitate to consult our frequently updated Pinterest board dedicated to the subject or drop by our showroom.