V.F. Cerveny S. - Hradec - Kralove Furniture

A Botanical model by Robert Brendel, famous German botanist, 19th century. As detailed by the University of Aberdeen Zoology Museum, "In the late 19th century Botanist and model-mak...

Kjøbenhavns Telefon Aktieselskab (KTAS) wall phone. Scandinavia, late 19th-early 20th century. Wall phone from the company Kjøbenhavns Telefon (later known...

Miniature wooden rack with 4 hunting rifles in 925 sterling silver. The rifles for hunting, in four different models, are in solid sterling silver casting ...

A rare 20th Century set of Japanese naval bridge “big eye“ binoculars by Nikon manufactured during WWII by Tokyo Kogaku Kikai (Tokyo Optical Company). They have been expertly cleaned...

One of the more popular mechanical banks, and from my own long time collection of these banks. Made for children to teach them to save their money by putting a penny away and have f...

An invaluable addition to the 19th century home, this domestic medicine chest contained nearly everything needed to nurse a member of the house...

Vintage Nantucket High-Ways, By-Ways and Not-Ways Decorative Map by Tony Sarg, (Nantucket: 1880 - 1942) circa 1930, a decorative tourist map of Nantucket Island with details of roadw...

Collection of Three Russian Icons, 19th century, comprising: Christ Pantocrater painted metal with gilt metal oklad, brass and enamel door-form traveling icon with scenes of Christ's...

A masterpiece of both cabinetmaking and mechanical engineering, this one-of-a-kind expanding table was crafted by the renowned cabinetmaker Samuel Hawkins of London for the Great Exhibition of 1851. Diminutive in size, the fascinating table was designed as a model to demonstrate Hawkins’ innovative patent screw movement to visitors of the Exhibition – six million people in total over five months. It was exhibited again a century later at the Victoria & Albert Museum during the Festival of Britain, an event intended “to symbolise two main qualities of the national character: realism and strength on the one hand, and, on the other, independence and imagination” (Catalogue of the Exhibition, 1951, p.117). To this day, the miniature masterpiece demonstrates the quest of English furniture makers to combine technical innovation with superb craftsmanship. Displaying exceptional ingenuity, Hawkins’ wind-out screw mechanism allowed one to extend the table’s base to accommodate concentric leaves with the simple crank of a handle. It is based on the inventive expanding table originally designed by Robert Jupe in 1835, which used a swivel mechanism to separate sections of the tabletop and allow for segmented leaves to be inserted. Hawkins’ tabletop, on the other hand, extends outwards directly from the center in order to accommodate additional leaves around its diameter. This unique design allowed the mechanism to also smoothly operate on rectangular tables, which could be wound out from the middle to allow for more table space. Hawkins was not alone in his endeavor to combine the technical merits of engineering and mechanics with the most artful pursuit of cabinetmaking. The first half of the 19th century saw a prolific increase in the popularity of applying new ideas to traditional furniture principles, which allowed furniture to serve many purposes. The resulting “patent” furniture was practical and refined, though few were as innovative as Hawkins’ prodigious design. Carved with the year of the Exhibition on the beautifully designed pedestal base, the table is a testament to the significance of this innovation. The model is mentioned in detail in the catalog of the Great Exhibition of 1851, the first international exhibition of industry, manufacturing, and science. Held at London’s dazzling Crystal Palace, its visitors were treated to exhibits from around the globe, including feats of engineering, innovations in industry, and marvels of design. Queen Victoria herself was a frequent visitor, along with her husband, Prince Albert, and others including Charlotte...

This exceptionally rare and important precision chronometer, or deck watch, was crafted by the famed Vacheron Constantin. One of the most accurate instrumen...

Fabulous vintage collection of 95 movie star exhibit cards from penny arcades, movie houses, and fairs. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is ...

This rare and sought-after Christies' auction catalogue features 201 pages and 350 lots, highlighting the superb Paris apartment of legendary designer Henri Samuel which was sold in ...