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Echoes of Beckford as Sworders Secures Silver-Gilt Tea Set for Auction
This silver-gilt tea set is causing quite a stir at Sworders because of its similarity to another belonging to William Beckford, arguably the most celebrated English collector of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This elegant tea set with distinct style and details dates back to 1821. The teapot and two-handled sugar bowl and cover are by Philip Rundell, founder of Rundell, Bridge and Rundell, Principal Royal Goldsmiths and Jewellers for 40 years from 1804. The cream jug is by John Tapley of London and dates to 1837. Inspired by the form of Yixing red stoneware teapots, this tea set is similar in design to an unengraved tea set…
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Magnificent 18th–Century Mechanical Furniture by Abraham and David Roentgen on View at Metropolitan Museum
Abraham and David Roentgen’s story is a tale of international success, fame, luxury, and high honor. The meteoric rise of the workshop of Abraham Roentgen (1711-93) and his son David (1743-1807) is the most spectacular chapter in the history of innovative 18th–century Continental furniture-making. Their original designs, combined with their use of intriguing mechanical devices, revolutionized traditional French and English furniture types. The resulting objects are magnificent and ingenious. At the turn of a key, many of them literally unfold to reveal hidden compartments, secret drawers, and mechanical and musical devices. The hallmark Roentgen style is characterized by grandeur, inventiveness, and meticulously detailed shapes. From its base in Germany, the…
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Antique Perpetual Clocks
With the earliest clocks, timekeeping was almost an afterthought. They were initially designed as mechanical calendars to accurately record the seasons, religious holidays and even curious superstitious practices. Calendars continued to be incorporated into clocks and watches even after the purpose of minute by minute timekeeping became more prominent. With the best antique clocks and watches, a calendar shows the mechanical genius and craftsmanship of the maker. Technology and the Clock Calendar attachments can include indication of the year, month, day-of the-month, day of the week, moon phases, high and low tide, sun rise, sun set, signs of the Zodiac and more. Every important horologist throughout history has made a…
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