Tel: +44 (0) 1285 831 311
Fax: +44 (0) 1285 831 344
hares@hares-antiques.com
Sitemap
|
Hares Antiques > Newsletter > October 2008
October 2008
Here is the newsletter from October 2008
 |
This is a brief newsletter to keep you up to date with our new stock.
Allan and Theo Hare and the stock have now returned safely from the "Fall Fair" held in The Merchandise Mart in Chicago. This year the antique fair was held on the 12th floor in the exhibition space that had been designed for the modern art dealers at the previous show, the magnificent "Artropolis" in April. This gave the entire antique fair a fresh clean look that made the furniture stand out, as well as giving all the antique dealers a much larger stand that they are used to (pictures attached below).
Other news, Howard and Sons furniture is becoming rarer and hard to find. On the 5th of November Christies South Kensington achieved around £9,500 including premium for a Howard Sofa. This does not include the restoration to the upholstery, frame or cost of finishing fabric which could take the total cost to over £13,000. Hares Antiques has a good stock of Howard furniture, but it may be difficult to replace this once we have sold out. Please let us know what you are after as it is clear it is cheaper to buy from us than at auction!
For the first time in several years Hares Antiques will not be showing at the November Olympia Antique Fair, choosing instead to concentrate on the larger June Olympia and the other international fairs over the next 12 months.
New Stock
Huge three pillar
The Chicago fair saw the opening debut of our freshly restored huge Irish Regency mahogany three pillar dining table with four splay bases, reeded edge and gadrooned pillars. It is of huge scale and is really impressive when viewed in person. The top has two removable leaves, when installed takes it to a maximum length of 18' 8.5" by 57.5" wide to seat 20-22 people. This table can be seen here http://www.hares-antiques.com/sales/tables/dining_tables/pedestal_dining_tables.aspx
 |
 |
Walnut bureau
Also new in is this exceptionally fine quality early 18th century red walnut bureau with excellent moulded edge to drawers, good dovetails to drawers including those to the interior, the cleated fall front enclosing good stepped interior, the drawers of interesting shape and with unusual secret compartments, it is made from wonderful timber and is all in superb original undamaged condition, English circa 1740. See here for more information http://www.hares-antiques.com/sales/desks/bureau.aspx
|
 |
Gothic Chairs
Absolutely wonderful set of 9 Gothic dining chairs, very much in the early Gothic style these chairs have a lightness to the design reminiscent of Strawberry Hill and appear much earlier than the mid Victorian construction would indicate. Very solid, well made and above all comfortable chairs. Have another made to seat 10, or buy 8 and get one free!
See these chairs here http://www.hares-antiques.com/sales/chairs/antique_dining_chairs.aspx
|
 |
Hairy paw Bridgewater
Incredibly comfortable Howard Bridgewater with Ramsden leg carving. Most of these chairs have slightly different carving as were made to order for a specific room. The carving on the show wood, as with so much furniture of the period, is likely to match other fixtures fittings furniture or ornaments in the same room. This chair is very comfortable at the moment (and can be bought as seen to save the restoration costs) or take advantage of our unique restoration service and the chair will last for generations to come. English c. 1880
See others here http://www.hares-antiques.com/sales/chairs/armchairs/upholstered/howard_and_sons_chair.aspx
|
 |
Chicago Fall Fair
This fair was a revelation, with a bold fresh new look and a clean, modern design. Almost all of the Chicago "Fall Fair" was painted white, so the stands looked uncluttered and the furniture, ceramics, paintings and carpets and everything on display was easy to see. The stands were larger this year, with much more space for leisurely and considered browsing. The modern interior design gave a cohesive look to the antique fair, very much like that in a world class modern museum and everyone we spoke to, dealers and customers, were very excited to be a part of the show.
In addition, nothing was damaged during shipping (which we organise ourselves), the set up and breakdown went smoothly and we even had time to attend an Obama rally afterwards and see first hand what all the fuss is about!
|
Other News
Roderick Thom has returned to America to continue his higher education and is badly missed by all at Hares Antiques. We hope he will have time to visit us if he returns to the UK at Christmas and wish him the best of British luck for the rest of his studies!
To cheer us up when Rod left we have taken on a new shop cat called Alfie (after the Michael Caine version not the Jude Law remake). He is very helpful around the office, and likes to help with directions when we are reversing the van, but he is not at all good at moving furniture yet. Here is a picture of him trying to move a chair. |
Top Tip
If you have, or are looking to buy, a round or square top wine table.
Measure the width of the top (both with and across the grain). Was the top wider one way than the other? This is because wood always shrinks across the grain, so a top that started life 25" x 25" is likely to be 25" x 24.5" after 200 years.
For instance the table at the top of page http://www.hares-antiques.com/sales/tables/wine_tables_whatnots.aspx on our website is actually 31" x 30.5" |
|