English Racks and Stands

With brass carrying handle, boot holder and trestle support.

A wonderful, impeccably English deluxe valet stand with trouser press. Circa 1920's. Labelled 'Watt Cam Tourist' and 'The Watts Dumb Valet' patent design. This stylish English stand...

An English rustic oak barrel from the late 19th century, with iron braces. Created in England during the last decade of the 19th century, this barrel features a sturdy oak body made ...

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Arts & Crafts Shapland & Petter Hall stand with hand hammered Copper panels over a Walnut frame with inset sheild mirror Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price A very good looking well made and decorative hat glove coat and scarf rack, this one is rare as it has the central mirror and its an earlier than usual example circa 1900 Made by Shapland & Petter, a full blub on their life and works can be found below In terms of the condition it is straight and solid, the piece sits well in any setting and looks decorative and very English country house, we have cleaned waxed and polished the timber, there is one hook slightly bent, otherwise its in fine order Dimensions Height:- 205cm Width:- 113cm Depth:- 40cm Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask Shapland and Petter of Barnstaple Introduction This Barnstaple based company manufactured some of the finest pieces of furniture in Arts and Crafts style but very little has been written about the company or the pieces they produced. It a great shame that whilst Shapland and Petter pieces have been illustrated in books and auction catalogues they are invariably attributed to other makers such as Liberty and Co in London or Wylie and Lochhead in Glasgow. With this feature, we intend to inspire a more thorough appreciation of the work of the company; readers are invited to help with the task by sending photographs and information. Collectors and auction houses are now showing significantly more interest in Shapland and Petter pieces. The company, based in Barnstaple, England produced a very wide range of furniture in several different styles including many pieces in period reproduction and municipal style for town halls and commercial premises alongside their superb Arts and Crafts range Distinctive features of their superb Arts and Crafts style are the use of heart shaped piercing, geometric shapes with angled arches and the application of repousse copper panels. Decoration with marquetry, metal inlay, mounting of ceramic and enamel cabochons were techniques which they mastered with a combination of state of the art technology and traditional craftsmanship. Most distinctively, the pieces were extremely well made, with care and very best quality materials The growing interest in Shapland and Petter has raised many questions about the origins of the firm, and the sources of influence on their designs, some of which resemble designs by Ashbee, Ballie Scott, Voysey and Talwin Morris. Links have been assumed with Liberty and Co with the supposition Shapland and Petter worked on commissions for Liberty. There appears to be little evidence to support many of the assumptions which have developed around the company and this article is intended to help to start the discussion and to stimulate research The History of Shapland and Petter The Museum of North Devon in Barnstaple have an archive of Shapland and Petter which includes some company records and a small display of furniture and related items. The following text gives history of the company and is reproduced from the display boards in the museum with kind permission of North Devon Museums For over 100 years the Shapland and Petter factory has stood at the end of Barnstaple Long Bridge. Manufacturers of doors, door sets, and custom wood interiors, NT Shapland and Petter Ltd are still one of the towns largest employers. The company was established by Henry Shapland (b. 1823), a cabinet maker by trade. He embarked on a voyage to America in 1848, where he was inspired by an invention for a wave-moulding machine. He was only allowed to see it if he left the country immediately. Returning home with only rough notes, he reproduced the machine and in 1854 began a cabinet making business in one room at the Raleigh woolen mill in Pilton. Later the firm moved to Bear Street in Barnstaple. Henry Petter was an accountant who entered into partnership with Mr Shapland. The business progressed and in 1864 they bought the Raleigh Factory where Shapland first began his work. Success was rapid, but in 1888 the building burnt down. Immediately work began on a bigger and better factory - their present site by the Long Bridge - which included many modern inventions The two Henrys died within two years of each other - Petter in 1907 and Shapland in 1909. In 1924 Shapland and Petter merged with the Barnstaple Cabinet Company, producing North Devon's biggest industry. During the First World War Shapland and Petter's skilled craftsmen turned their hands to wooden propellers for the aircraft of the Royal Flying Corps. After the war, public tastes changed, and hand carved furniture was too expensive for many. Shapland and Petter's output now included elegant veneered pieces with smooth Art Deco lines. The company fitted out Pullman carriages and ocean liners and made hand-carved church furniture. The famous England Rugby Captain W. W. Wakefield was appointed Company Director in 1927. Throughout the depression of the late 1920's and early 1930's the company still managed to produce high quality work Furniture manufacturing continued until the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939. Many workers left to fight, while the factory worked on Air Ministry contracts for ammunition boxes. After the war came radio cabinets and laboratory and contract furniture, until eventually large quantities of doors were being produced for hospitals, hotels, schools, offices and other buildings. Examples of Shapland and Petter's work can be seen all over North Devon. In Barnstaple, the shop front at 109 High Street is a good example, and the interior of the old Lloyd's Bank, now Chamber's Brasserie, was also Shapland's work. Examples of carving by Shapland's men can be seen in two chairs and a reading desk in Barnstaple Parish Church As cabinet makers, Shapland and Petter employed up to 350 people at a time. There were designers, carvers, cabinet makers, machinists, polishers, and labourers. The company was one of the first to install American labour-saving devices and was keen to adopt the most up-to-date machinery The fire of 1888 at the Raleigh Cabinet Works was a huge loss for the company. However, it resulted in a new factory which was altogether more modern and better equipped. The new building by the river was arranged into blocks. The production line began with the saw mills and ended with the finishing rooms. There was modern machinery in every department - one of their saws was the first of its kind in Britain. Water sprinklers and electric lights were a necessity - this factory would not burn down As well as the furniture production, Shapland and Petter imported timber by sea and rail. The new factory 's facilities were exceptional Shapland and Petter were renowned for excellent design and workmanship. The carvers were highly skilled, serving seven year apprenticeships and attending classes at the Barnstaple School of Art. Ornately carved furniture required up to a hundred tools The factory produced made to order woodwork for banks, hotels, and shops; mantelpieces, paneling and staircases. They fitted out Pullman railway carriages, the London Guildhall, and Edgar Wallace 's dining room as well as houses like Tapeley Park in North Devon Much of the work involved intricate leaded glass panels, or inlaid fruitwood designs, like the white bedroom suite shown in the exhibition here. This type of work is typical of Art Nouveau 1895 to 1910, inspired by the fluid shapes of plants and flowers Many pieces were made from standard designs. There were hundreds to choose from, and a selection could be seen in local and London showrooms and in catalogues. Although mass-produced, this furniture was well-made by skilled technicians and modern machinery Arts and Crafts designs of Shapland and Petter The development of the Arts and Crafts Movement in the South West of England has not been written up in any detail though we do know of the Art Potters of Barnstaple from the excellent book of this name by Audrey Edgeler. Less is known of the Barnstaple Guild of Metal Workers. We know of the Bath Cabinet Makers and the Newlyn School of Industrial Art in Cornwall but very little has been written about the furniture makers of Barnstaple in Devon The establishment of a large cabinet making firm in Barnstaple is not remarkable in itself; there were several cabinet makers in the area. What is interesting is that this particular Barnstaple firm should become a leading maker of Arts and Crafts furniture, copying the styles of the leading Architect designers and creating their own unique style Critics may point out that as their work was commercially driven and reliant upon machines it therefore does not really qualify as Arts and Crafts. Whilst the company was highly innovative in machine technology, they also employed many craftsmen who worked with their hands in woodcarving, marquetry work, design and application of decorative copperwork and other artistic embellishment in the true Arts and Crafts tradition. Anyone who has experience of Shapland and Petter workmanship knows the level of craftsmanship invested in each piece Sources of inspiration There appears to be no evidence to link any known architect, artist or designer to the Shapland and Petter company. Their designs appear to have been created solely by their own internal design staff none of whom appear to have published or registered their work in any other context C. R. Ashbee who established the Guild of Handicrafts visited Barnstaple in 1893 and provided a twelve week course on the design and decoration of furniture. It is presumed that this visit was hosted by Shapland and Petter, and that their own staff and those from other local furniture makers attended the course. Ashbee appears to have been unimpressed by the commercial attitudes he encountered and apparently disappointed at the lack of interest in his (high minded) lectures. What is interesting however is the similarity between some of his designs and those used by Shapland and Petter, particularly in respect to inlaid floral design. Perhaps he left a lasting influence which has not yet been verified There has been some speculation on the influence of Scottish designers, particularly because of the use of Glasgow rose designs which are typical of the Glasgow School, and particularly of Talwin Morris. There are also several designs which use similar motifs to those used by Baillie Scott, the use of two doves in flight for example. More research is needed to trace possible links here. One thing that is clear is that there was a great deal of copying and selling designs in the furniture industry at the time and a nineteenth century survey on the furniture trade recorded that '' Barnstaple pays the best prices for designs ..'' Collaboration with other companies There is evidence that Shapland and Petter organised a wide network of companies to retail their products and hence many pieces have the labels of retail furnishers added. Little is known of their marketing in Europe and America but it may be that many Arts and Crafts pieces were sold abroad. Shapland and Petter had excellent access to rail and shipping lines for importing timber and presumably for exporting their finished products The extent of their collaboration with other companies is yet to be ascertained but there is evidence that their suppliers included the Della Robbia Pottery, Pilkingtons Tile...

Edwardian Brass Half Moon Stick Stand with Mahogany Back and drip tray insert - 12.5"w x 8"d x 29.5"h

An English Victorian period wooden oval shaped barrel from the 19th century with painted coat of arms and brass braces. Step into the grandeur of the Victorian era with this English ...

Vintage solid brass English brass and cast iron umbrella or stick stand. Half round construction with five slots for holding your umbrellas or walking stick.

A fine antique late 18th century George III mahogany & brass music duet stand, circa 1790. The stand is made of the finest figured Cuban mahogny & has twin music slants with hinged r...

An English Victorian period brass umbrella stand from the 19th century, with petit finials, red accents and removable low plaque with handles. Created in England during the reign of ...

Oriental Porcelain Flow Blue White Umbrella Stand, Large Vase, Floral Decorated Very pretty porcelain blue and white oriental umbrella stand ...

St043 Stylish Arts and Crafts, oak umbrella stand stand, having four dividers on tapered, carved supports and original, removable drip tray. All in home ready condition. c1900 H28.5"...

Rectangular with four section top opening for canes or umbrellas. Four chamfered square supports joining a plinth base holding a tin tray.

Handsome 19th Century British Colonial gentleman's cane or umbrella stand crafted in mahogany in an Eastlake style featuring a brass gallery at the top. Brass finials, bar and bracke...

One of the nicest antique English Bamboo Canterbury's or Magazine Holder we've had in quite some time. This fine specimen was found by our buyer in County Staffordshire, England. A p...

Unusual form with an arched rack with leaf carved base. Single drawer with wood knobs. Turned legs and casters.

Regency era mahogany wood folio stand rack, map, poster, document holder used in a library, office or den, circa 1820. Folds out to six positions ...

20th C collapsible artist's easel. 1920. Dimensions 32 inches (81 cms) Wide 27 inches (69 cms) Deep 70 inches (178 cms) High.  

Victorian bamboo magazine stand with inset Japanese lacquer panels, side panels running on a diagonal with two lacquer panels. Embossed brass...

English brass and copper figural foliage medallion embossed umbrella / cane stand, 19th century.

M/714 - That's an old English towel holder rack: very useful and elegant, old and perfect, now difficult to find. With a good price because I'm closing activities.

This is a picture of an English Regency book caddy with spindle divider joined by spindled ends and finials on top of end rails, supported by later mahogany...

Most likely by Gillows of Lancaster. Excellent timber. Three shelves each with molded edges and carved volute brackets and panelled ends, raised on flattened ball feet with casters. ...

Handsome freestanding bamboo bookshelf or stand having 3 tiers with 9" between shelves. Round decorative finials or knobs at the top.

English Gothic Revival style (19th Cent) wrought iron lectern on a pedestal base ending in 3 scroll legs with a candle stand top shelf

19th century oak carved English bobbin stick stand. Found in Stratford upon Avon. It appears to have original pan and can withstand water in the shallow pan. There are carvings on th...

Of unusual size with reeded spindles and two interior compartments, contains a frieze drawer and raised on tapered reeded legs with casters.

This mercantile shoe stand has no maker's signature, but is presumed to have originated from England and date to approximately 1920 and done in an Arts & Cr...

With brass handle and liner. Hexagonal form with incised carved decoration. Toupie feet.

English Regency Mahogany Etagere with four squared tiers, blocked baluster ring turned bulbous supports, flanking tiered ball finials, and resting on tapered ringed legs with the ori...

19th Century Antique English Brass, Mahogany Magazine Stand with 2 Compartments Offered for sale is a late 19th century mahogany and brass footed magazine stand. The stand has a ce...

A handsome English two-tiered book trough or library book stand of beech-wood from the Edwardian era, featuring a canted and half-slatted upper tier with caned bergere sides (for dis...

Typical form with single drawer with lions head handles, circular legs, casters.

An English brass umbrella stand from circa 1920-1930 shaped as an umbrella with raised motifs and tripartite base. Step into the world of whimsical charm with this English brass umbr...

We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning vintage circa 1950's hand made with Chrome framed coat & hat stand with rotating top A very decorative and well made piece, it wei...

Stunning antique long barrel umbrella / stick stand from the 1900s out of England. Made out of solid oak with four brass rings. Amazing woodgrain & aged patina. It has this warm a...

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely, English made Sterling Silver mounted Walking stick coat rack A very good looking well made an...

A rustic English turn of the century oak barrel from the early 20th century, with brass braces, and ring handles. Created in England during the Turn of the Century which saw the tran...

Fine hope crossover slatted bench with reeded legs, paterae and turned stretchers. The legs terminating in brass castors. Often used to the base end of a bed and sometimes used as a ...

Mahogany Canterbury of good scale, fine turned legs finishing on brass cup casters, making it easy to move around. This large Canterbury has four slatted divisions, so plenty of spac...

Cylindrical with two handles and a painted coat of arms.

An English double leather bucket from the early 20th century, with royal motto and coat of arms. Boasting a lovely shade of green, this double leather bucket is adorned on the front with the English royal coat of arms, made of a lion and a unicorn flanking a central shield adorned with the Anglo-Normand maxim 'Honi soit qui mal y pense' (May he be shamed who thinks badly of it) as well as 'Dieu et mon droit' (God and my right), the motto of the Monarch of the United Kingdom. Accented with delicate gilt motifs and raised on petite ball feet, this double bucket...

Used originally to cart plates to the dining room in country house England. Great beside a fireplace. With bail handles and brass strapping.

Wonderful Stick Stand with 12 compartments and drip tray. Beautiful colouration and patina to the wood. Very Sturdy and strong England, circa 1840. Height: 76.5cm Width: 61cm Dep...

Double sided with two pairs of brass candle arms, adjustable with circular columnar support on a shaped triangular plinth base.

Early Victorian solid rosewood three-section Canterbury with drawer and casters, circa 1850-1860 Nicely carved design throughout the piece and turned handled sides. Quality brass ca...

Stunning Antique long barrel umbrella / stick Stand from the 1930s. Made out of solid oak with four brass rings , cone shaped. Amazing woodgrain & aged patina , it has this warm ...

Typical form with rack section above a drawer, raised on turned carved tapered legs, casters.

Pair of English mahogany candle stands, circa 1760 with circular lipped top sitting on a rhythm fluted turned baluster column, ending on a turned moulded lead waited base. These swee...

A handcrafted thick saddle leather vintage British fire , powder bucket with handle and canvas interior . A matching strap handle with grommets attach it to the container which can b...

Antique early 19th-century brass English trivet. Certainly an elegant nod to days gone by and would be a great decorative accent in a kitchen or next to...

Each with chenille embroidered panel within a reverse glass border, adjustable, raise on a tripod base with lions head carvings. Scroll feet.

A fine antique mahogany towel rail of elegant proportion featuring three turned hanging bars supported by shaped uprights with carved scrol...

This is an elegant George III antique solid oak brass bound walking stick stand, circa 1810 in date. The oak stand is of oval barrel-shape and features six brass bands, has a charmi...

19th Century oak and brass bound umbrella and stick stand, of coopered construction complete with original metal liner. The stand is of cylindrical shape, featuring four brass bands ...

Crafted by James Shoolbred and Company, London, with original brass insignia on reverse, this three bay stick stand with tray is crafted from Mahogany with turned and incised element...

A William IV mahogany book carrier the shaped ends with openwork handles, the frieze with a single drawer.

19th century (Regency Period, 1820s) English fine quality mahogany desktop book stand with elegant spindles turned upright. Supports and scrolling ends to...

We are delighted to offer for sale this charming brown oak magazine rack with double compartment. This decorative, simple, stylish and well made piece is ideal to keep your magazin...

A stunning early 19th century canterbury by Gillows of Lancaster, with three tall flat X form slots, above a frieze drawer stamped ( GILLOWS.LANCASTER ). The case with four turned f...

19th century mahogany English Canterbury magazine rack on brass casters. Features four curved partitions and a single wooden drawer. The r...