Monday, March 26, 2012

Decorate With an Antique English Victorian Biscuit Jar and 19th Century Furniture

The English Victorian era was a time when decadence was celebrated and those who had the money spared no expense when buying furniture and other pieces for their homes. During this time in the 19th century, there was a transition going on from the old world to the more modern word. 19th century furniture is a blend of pieces that were still handmade and intricate and pieces that were mass produced as a result of the Industrial Revolution.

19th century furniture and decorative items, such as an English Victorian biscuit jar, featured many new styles of design that were intricate and different. Because the Industrial Revolution was getting under way, it enabled ease in iron-making. In the previous centuries it was incredibly challenging and slow to make iron furniture or pieces that had iron details. After major improvements in the technology of the time, those who made iron could do so much quicker and could create elaborate pieces of iron furniture. These pieces could also be mass-produced, so they could be made in large quantities. Most commonly these pieces were created for use in Victorian gardens and on porches.

                       

Carvings were also big in Victorian and 19th century decorative items. One of the most popular pieces of this time was the English Victorian biscuit jar, a jar that was made to hold biscuits, or cookies, that were eaten with tea in the afternoon. These jars were made of various materials, although brass and silver were very commonly used in the production of biscuit jars. They were often carved meticulously with various patterns and designs to give them a sophisticated and wealthy look.

Other 19th century furniture features include ornamentation in the form of carvings on furniture that was made of wood, which was even more popular when wood furniture could be mass produced, as more time could spend on the carvings since the construction of the pieces was very efficient. Those who came from wealth could have elegant pieces commissioned from furniture makers that were made with Gothic or Renaissance detailing. Chairs also were being made with very high backs, during the revival of the Gothic period. These chairs were often used in more formal rooms of the home.

                                

If you are looking for such items as an English Victorian biscuit jar, antique 19th century furniture or any other decorative pieces from the 19th century and Victorian eras, contact a well-established antiques dealer that can help you to find the pieces that you want. You can transform your home with just a few elegant and ornate items from these classic times in history.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Oil on Canvas Advertising Art is Special and Unique

The pieces of art that are on the walls in your home are great for adding interest to otherwise plain walls and for showcasing your personal style. Antique artwork is a great way to spice up any room in your home and there are many unique pieces out there that you can choose from at a quality antique dealer shop. One form of art that is truly one-of-a-kind and can be found for sale today is oil on canvas advertising art. This type of art was prevalent in the 18th century in England.

Original advertising art was created by artists who were designing advertising pieces for companies. These pieces of art were done on canvas or other materials and were created with the use of the finest oil paints for a rich look. Often, before an ad was approved an artist made the piece of oil on canvas advertising art and then the editors would mark the piece to show where they wanted changes to be made. Many of these antique original advertising art pieces that have the editing marks and notes on them can be bought today and are truly special because they have never been seen by the general public.

                              
Another great thing about purchasing oil on canvas advertising art is that it was made with very high quality materials so that it will stand the test of time. These art pieces will last for a lifetime and will continue to look beautiful for the entire time that you have them. They are something special and different than most works of art because they were created originally to market an item or product, so they add a whimsical nature to wherever you put them. These pieces were created to sell items, so there are very few of these original advertising art paintings around, giving you almost a guarantee that you will have something different from everyone else.

Use oil on canvas advertising art pieces to liven up any room in your home. They will add interest to the rooms that they are in and will spark interesting discussions among your visitors.You can find these canvas paintings at an antiques dealer that purchases high quality original artworks. These dealers have the connections to find you specific advertising art items that you want, or you can look at the large collections that they have for sale. Give your home an old-fashioned dash of style with original advertising art that you purchase from an antiques dealer.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Various Types of Timeless English Antique Furniture

English antiques have been renowned for many years and are highly coveted by many people because of their intricate designs, the fine woods that were used and the heavy amount of skilled craftsmanship that was employed in creating them. The many different styles of English antique furniture are named after the monarch who reigned during the time that they were created. Many of these styles have very similar elements, but there are some parts that differ between them, such as the legs of the pieces of furniture. Looking at these can enable you to determine exactly what period the English antique is from.

                                English Antique Furniture

English Antique Furniture Styles
English antiques from the William and Mary period are strikingly Dutch in their appearance, setting them apart from other English-era furniture. The following period, the Queen Anne time frame, utilized many of the same accents as the Carolean period, with elegant upholstery created with intricate needlework added on. There are many different styles that fit under the English Antique time frame. These types include Tudor, Jacobean, Cromwellian, Carolean, William and Mary, Queen Anne, Early Georgian, Mid Georgian, later Georgian and Regency in that order.

For the most part, all of these periods have similar styles of furniture with a few key changes. Antique English furniture from the Tudor period utilizes oak woods, along with very detailed carvings and inlays of very fine wood. Jacobean Period furniture also used oak wood, but incorporated walnut as well. During the Cromwell period, furniture was also built using beautiful oak and walnut wood, but was then accented with elegant inlays of materials like mother of pearl, ivory and bone for a unique look. Walnut wood was still very prominent during the Carolean period as well. The wood was then accented by veneers, marquetry inlays, lacquers and the use of silver pieces.

The Georgian Period was when gilded pieces and marble came into fashion, as well as imported woods like Virginia red walnut and brilliant Mahogany. Thomas Chippendale was a master furniture builder during the Mid-Georgian period who utilized imported woods heavily. The Later Georgian period featured a few notable superstars of English antique furniture making who used such features as rams heads, feet and husks, chairs with backs in heart or shield shapes and oval shell inlays made out of satinwood. The Regency period was very adventurous in design, utilizing everything from influences of Greek and Roman gods, Egyptian features, and Chinese colors and patterns.

Add Timeless Elegance to Your Home with English Antiques
If you want to decorate your home with a uniquely English feel, purchase some ornate and meticulously created English antique furniture from a reputable antique dealer. You will be able to enhance the beauty of your living space with these timeless and elegant pieces that no one else will have.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Antique English Victorian Writing Tables are Stylish and Functional

If your living room or office needs a special piece of furniture that will draw the eye and add timeless beauty to the room, you may be having trouble finding such an item at the regular stores near you. Modern furniture is often cheaply made and mass produced, so that no matter what store you are shopping at, the furniture will all look the same. Finding the right desk or writing table may be a challenging task, but if you try an english antiques dealer, you may be pleasantly surprised. A good dealer will sell antique English Victorian writing tables, as well as Georgian writing tables that are impeccably designed and eye catching in their elegance.

English Victorian writing tables have a distinctive style that makes it very obvious what time period they came from. The furniture that was created during the reign of Queen Victoria and the surrounding years are considered to be some of the most ornamental and beautifully made pieces of furniture ever. English Victorian writing tables are similar to desks of today in function, but they are far more intricate in their design. Often the feet are curved or curled to give them a more elegant look. These writing tables have many cabinets and cupboards that are hidden by pieces that can slide away and some even had hidden backgammon tables or playing tables that could be exposed when you slid away the top of the desk. These English Victorian writing tables are similar to Georgian writing tables as well. Both of these types of desks were made using quality woods such as Walnut (which was prevalent in much of the Victorian era) and Mahogany, which was heavily utilized in Georgian era pieces. The lavish woods and advanced designs of the pieces of furniture are what makes them so special and what makes the time period that they came from so easy to determine.

If you want to add timeless pieces of furniture that were made by hand with incredible delicacy and care, look at an english antiques dealer that only sells the highest quality furniture. You will be able to find English Victorian writing tables and Georgian writing tables that do not look like ordinary, modern pieces of furniture. They will add class and elegance to any room you put them in and are as functional as they are pretty to look at. You do not have to settle for the homogenized furniture that is made in factories in massive quantities so that everyone has the same pieces. You can find extraordinary and rare pieces of furniture from the Victorian and Georgian eras at english antiques dealers online.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Antique Georgian Furniture is Distinctive and Beautiful

Georgian furniture has been popular ever since it was first introduced in England from the early 1700s to the early 1800s. The furniture that was created then is called Georgian because it was made during the reigns of King George I through King George IV. The Kings commissioned much of these Georgian furniture styles and utilized them in their living spaces. The ornate styling of these pieces then trickled down to the masses, who sought out the rich looking furniture in droves. Today, antique collectors all over the world offer patrons the chance to own their own Georgian furniture, which can add a wealthy and elegant feel to any living space.

Georgian furniture styles encompass the elaborate and over-the top nature that each of the Kings possessed. This time period was one of decadence and fancy details, and this is reflected in the pieces of furniture that were designed and built. Wingback chairs became very popular during this time, as did ornately carved feet and legs of chairs, tables and many other types of furniture. When you see a piece that has a ball or claw shape on its legs, this is generally considered to be a Georgian piece of furniture. The high-end furniture makers during this time used a lot of mahogany, which became the dominant wood type chosen to make pieces in the Georgian era. Rich mahogany wood is deep in color and has a lavish look to it.

The most popular and well-known furniture makers of this time period are Thomas Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton, who all created masterpieces of furniture that are still very valuable today. Georgian furniture was all made by hand and these popular builders and designers made them to perfection. The creation of these pieces of furniture took much more time than furniture today does, but the pieces that were made were sturdier and could stand the test of time as compared to modern pieces that are mass produced and much more cheaply made. Each piece was made with such deft skill and a steady hand that as long as the owners took care of them, they are still in beautiful condition today.

If you are lucky, you can find some of the most beautiful and timeless pieces of Georgian furniture at an antiques store in your area or online. The best antique stores will be able to explain to you all about the history of the Georgian furniture styles that they have and can also find pieces all over the world that you want. You can transform your interior decorating style with classically elegant Georgian furniture bought from a quality antiques dealer.