Antique Guides
LAPADA Guide to Gilt Bronze
Gilt bronze, also called ormolu, is the term used to describe the gold-finished bronze decorative art objects from the 18th and 19th centuries, such as furniture mounts, clocks and candelabra.
LAPADA Guide to Antique Hall Chairs
The hall chair is one of our favourite types of seat furniture. Unlike other types of chairs, these had primarily a decorative purpose: adorning a great entrance hall and displaying a family crest. It seems we are not alone to pursue the passion for hall chairs: there has been a noticeable recent trend for these accessible pieces of furniture, proving that they are still appealing to collectors and decorators alike. Presenting something of a novelty to the contemporary mind, here is our overview of the history of a hall chair.
LAPADA Guide to Caring for Antique Jewellery
Like all the beautiful things in life, jewellery requires care when being handled. Here are some tips on how to look after your collection.
LAPADA Guide to Reading British Silver Hallmarks
The vast majority of English, Scottish and Irish silver produced in the last 500 years is stamped with either four or five symbols, known as hallmarks. The prime purpose of these marks is to show that the metal of the item upon which they are stamped is of a certain level of purity. The metal is tested and marked at special offices, regulated by the government, known as assay offices. Only metal of the required standard will be marked. It is a form of consumer protection, whose origin goes back almost 1000 years.
LAPADA Guide to Walnut in Early 18th Century Furniture Making
At the beginning of the 18th century, during the Queen Anne period and into the early Georgian period, walnut was the most highly prized wood for making fine furniture. Its superb colour combined with elegant design and proportions favoured at the time made this one of the most outstanding periods of English furniture making.
LAPADA Guide to Choosing the Perfect Frame for Your Painting
Choosing a suitable frame for a painting is a complicated blend of finding the right period, style, setting, and proper protection, all the while making sure you end up with something you love and that displays your artwork in the best way possible. Simple? We think not.
Homes & Antiques Guide to the LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair 2017
There was much excitement in Berkeley Square as the 111 exhibitors at the LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair put the finishing touches to their stands, and the Selection Committee met to judge ‘Best Stand and Best Object Awards’ yesterday. It’s a thrill to be asked to be a part of the panel of judges, among…
Homes & Antiques Guide to Outdoor Sculpture
In conjunction with our partner Homes & Antiques, LAPADA is pleased to offer expert advice on buying and caring for outdoor sculpture by expert dealer and LAPADA member Alex Puddy of Architectural Heritage.
