A Regency mahogany metamorphic library armchair/steps with a caned back and seat beneath a rope or cable twist carved top rail, flanked by reeded scrolling arms and rope twist and reeded uprights, the reeded front rail seat opening to a set of leather lined steps, raised on square reeded and sabred legs with brass caps and castors. Attributed to Messrs Morgan and Saunders, circa 1810.




Harvey’s Antiques
Hosts Diamond 
Jubilee Exhibition


Marquetry to Metamorphic: Celebrating 75 Years of English Elegance

Preview Reception: May 30, 10 am to 5:30 pm 

Show runs May 30 until June 13

86 Corn Street, Witney, Oxfordshire  OX28 6BU



Fine English furniture dealer Harvey’s Antiques is celebrating its diamond anniversary this year. “It is 75 years since my parents started the company and 30 years since my move from Old Bond Street in London to a charming Cotswold townhouse on Corn Street in Witney,” says David Harvey, Managing Director at Harvey’s Antiques. 




A William and Mary seaweed marquetry inlaid chest. Circa 1690, fitted two short and three long drawers, on bun feet, height 91 cm, width 99.5 cm, depth 57 cm.

To celebrate this milestone, he is holding a special exhibition — the 50th in-house show he has arranged since his first in 1978.  Titled “Marquetry to Metamorphic: Celebrating 75 Years of English Elegance,” the show will run from May 30 to June 13, with exhibits ranging from early oak pieces from the middle years of the 17th century to William and Mary marquetry, and covering the reigns of 11 monarchs up to that of Queen Victoria. “This is the period from 1650 to about 1850 that we have specialized in for the past 75 years,” Harvey explains. 


Harvey’s has always prided itself on the quality and authenticity of its items, and many of the examples on view have been identified as the work of specific makers. ”We are lucky here in Britain that so much of our culture is identifiable and also available to collectors,” Harvey explains. “Harvey’s are delighted to have as part of our new exhibition items which we have handled previously.”


Highlights from the show, which can all be found on Incollect, include an oak press cupboard with wonderful carvings of flowers, leaves and vines, and an angel, dated 1653. Of special note is a Regency mahogany metamorphic library armchair/steps, which is a brilliant piece of dual-purpose, space-saving furniture. Cleverly concealed hinges allow the chair to fold out, transforming into a set of library steps. This piece is embellished with lovely details, which Harvey describes as a “caned back and seat beneath, along with a rope or cable twist carved top rail, flanked by reeded scrolling arms, and rope twist and reeded uprights, the reeded front rail seat opening to a set of leather-lined steps, raised on square reeded and sabred legs with brass caps and castors.” Attributed to renowned makers Messrs Morgan and Saunders, this intriguing piece dates to circa 1810. Another highlight is the circa 1720 George I period small walnut bachelors chest, with a rectangular top that opens onto pull-out supports and four feather-banded graduated drawers.




Left: A mid-17th century oak press cupboard of architectural form with a carved frieze above an upper stage having a pair of small cupboard doors flanking a central carved panel with the date 1653 and the initials R I A, between baluster turned columns, the waist with a bold lunette carved frieze drawer with a central cherub’s head and wings, the lower stage with a pair of panelled doors each with arcaded carving, raised on stile feet. Dated 1653. Price: £3250  Right: George I Period Small Walnut Bachelors Chest, the feather banded, crossbanded and quartered fold over rectangular top opening onto pull-out lopers above four feather banded graduated drawers with brass handles and the whole raised on shaped bracket feet. Circa 1720. Price: £ 7,950



Harvey will also be showing a pretty little William and Mary seaweed marquetry inlaid chest, circa 1690, as well as “a couple of pieces which have a resonance with the United States during your 250th anniversary since the Declaration of Independence from Britain,” Harvey teases. During the run of the exhibition, Harvey will also be giving a series of YouTube Masterclass talks on subjects related to English furniture and collecting antiques.




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