Buy George! Georgian furniture is making a big comeback. Sarah Worrall, sales director at Yorkshire Antique dealer, Tomlinsons, explains why it’s special.
The madness of King George III is one of the more negative associations we have with the Georgian era but luckily his insanity did not extend to the architecture and design of the time.
In fact, the Georgian style of 18th century England revived classical Grecian and Roman principles of proportion and symmetry. Traces of other flamboyant styles surface in the details including French Rococo ornamentation, medieval Gothic motifs and Chinese lacquerwork but the Georgian look is mostly simple, uncluttered, sophisticated, and elegant.
It is the simple styling of this era that is causing the resurgence in Georgian furniture. The quality of Georgian craftsmanship looks equally at home in a contemporary setting as in a traditional environment. Full of harmony and symmetry, the graceful designs convey a feeling of space and light. The delicate and beautiful elegance of Georgian furniture can help create a sense of harmony, balance and a spaciousness, which is sometimes difficult to achieve in modern homes.
People are turning towards this era, not only in a bid to bring simple and beautiful elegance into their homes but also for investment potential. How often can you buy a beautiful piece of furniture that you can use and enjoy throughout your lifetime, secure in the knowledge that it will be a sound investment for your children?
Good quality, original Georgian furniture can be sourced from most antique dealers around the country. Antique warehouses like Tomlinsons Antiques that stock large quantities of furniture offer you the most choice and allow you to compare and contrast so you can find the piece that is right for you, at a price you can afford.
When buying Georgian furniture there are certain features you should look out for. To begin with, is it authentic? There should be evidence of use (‘patination’) and the finish should reflect where the piece has been handled, with edges that are smoothed through use over time.
The quality of timber is important too – look for veneers that are alive. Check the fineness of the workmanship – look for the use of oak liners, slim dovetail joints, handtooled fretwork. And finally - can the piece be attributed or is it in the style of a well-known Georgian cabinetmaker such as George Hepplewhite or Thomas Chippendale?
It is also important to remember that these beautiful pieces are over 200 years old, and therefore likely to have had some level of restoration over the years. Replacement handles are the most common ‘improvement’ often implemented by the Edwardians over a century ago. But sympathetic restoration is quite acceptable, and won’t detract from the value of your piece. Most importantly though, buy from a recognised dealer to ensure that all restoration work has been carried out to the highest of standards.
Georgian Partners Desk (pictured right)
A handsome late Georgian Partners desk in mahogany
c1820-1840, employing banks of drawers on one side
and two cupboards with drawers above on the other.
Raised on a plinth with castors this piece is in good,
original condition having been re-leathered.
H31'' W 60'' D 37'' £6,950+ VAT.
Tomlinsons has been established for over 25 years, and is now the leading British supplier of antique furniture to the UK and overseas trade.
The company offers antique and traditional furnishings to traders and the public.
More than 2,000 items are brought into the warehouse each month and 5,000 items are in stock at any one time.
For more information on antiques and to view the full range of furniture available at Tomlinsons visit www.antique-furniture.co.uk.
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