Blog
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A tale of two cities: a brief history of silver in Dublin and Cork
A recent auction held at The Pedestal featured an interesting group of Irish silver dating from the 18th and 19th centuries and created by silversmiths working in both…
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Turquoise in the spotlight
North American robin eggs According to the jeweller David Webb, ‘Turquoise is becoming on everyone. It lights up the face’. At its most pure turquoise is the hue of a vivid summer sky – a universally understood and adored colour. Turquoise is frequently partnered with diamonds and a number of spectacular jewels in this combination…
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An exceptional jewel by Child and Child | Fine & Decorative Interiors including Jewellery & Collectables: 9th July 2024
Methven Castle, completed in 1680, with its later added east and west wings | Image: James Valentine Photographic Collection / University of St Andrews Library This late Victorian winged-heart brooch-pendant, with blue guilloché enamel angel wings flanking a cabochon opal heart, pink topaz heart drop and diamond accent surmount was created by Child and Child…
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Hector Caffieri, Young Fisherwoman with basket | Fine & Decorative Interiors: 7th March 2023
Hector Caffieri, Young Fisherwoman with basket, watercolour, signed Hector Caffieri’s Young Fisherwoman with basket was our cover girl for the auction Fine & Decorative Interiors held on 7th March 2023. Here we take a closer look at this striking watercolour and the life of the artist. ——————————————————————- Hector Caffieri (1847-1932) took inspiration from the men…
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A volume of etchings by Giovanni Battista Piranesi | Fine Interiors: 8th November 2022
From the volume of Piranesi etchings: detail of the pronaos or vestibule from one of the Greek temples at Paestum, from the full set of Différentes vues de quelques Restes de trois grands Edifices…dans le milieu de l’ancienne Ville de Pesto | From the library of Arthur Clarke Edwards (1859-1916) Lot 62 from the recent…
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Out now in Chinese: Understanding Jewellery
We are thrilled to announce that Understanding Jewellery is now available in a Chinese language version. Understanding Jewellery was first published in 1989 and since then it’s been translated and published in several languages, among these, Hungarian, Russian and Japanese. Understanding Jewellery is very excited to be bringing Understanding Jewellery, the reference work, to a…
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Stamped with approval: a selection of fine 18th century French furniture
A Régence kingwood and tulipwood parquetry serpentine commode by Jean-Charles Saunier The 20th July auction of Fine Interiors at The Pedestal features an extremely fine group of 18th century French furniture bearing the prized stamps of renowned master makers. The 18th century witnessed a magnificent age in French furniture production where the exceptional craftsmanship of cabinetmakers was…
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Verner Panton’s spectacular spiral silver pendant light
This double spiral, SP2 ceiling light in chromium plated ABS plastic, was designed in 1969 by Verner Panton – considered to be one of Denmark’s most influential 20th century furniture and interiors designers. Born in 1926 in Gentofte, a small village north of Copenhagen, Panton studied architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Art and graduated…
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Regency reigns at The Pedestal
Vaux-hall pleasure gardens, Thomas Rowlandson, 1785; the satirist focuses on the fashionable spectators: Georgina, Duchess of Devonshire, stands arm in arm with her sister Lady Duncannon, whilst the Prince of Wales whispers to his mistress, Mary ‘Perdita’ Robinson The Regency period is all the rage – Netflix’s Bridgerton is the latest vehicle for the era’s distinctive elegance…
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Gino Sarfatti – master of minimalism
Gino Sarfatti – light maker, innovator and entrepreneur If we speak about minimalism in design, you can trace that back to Sarfatti | Didier Krzentowski, Galerie Kreo Gino Sarfatti Lot 194, from Design For Living on 10th November 2020, a table lamp, 534B, was designed by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce in 1951. The appearance of…