Dear Friends,

Welcome to the August Edition of Bly's Bounty 2019.

Well, the relocation wheels are turning rather slower than anticipated so we shall send another Bounty as our plans take shape. 

In the meantime here is our latest selection of items which is as eclectic as this Summer's weather! A few of them have not yet made it onto our website so please do contact us if you would like further details.

We hope there is something here to tempt but please note our sourcing service is in full swing as usual so do let us know if we can help find that special piece.
 

Best Wishes,
John and James Bly
 

"Hen Pecked"
A wonderful decorative pair of Oriental carved palm wood and polychrome geese. 

Circa 1900
Height: 16" / 40.5cm   Length: 22" / 56cm  Width: 8" / 20.5cm
£1,800

A Superb Pair of English Regency Period Cut Crystal Decanters of the finest quality. The stoppers with hobnail centres and cross cut edges over faceted stems, the decanters with step rings, panels, facet cut flutes, round panels, hobnail diamonds, steps and combs, on star cut bases.

Circa 1805
Height: 10" / 25.5cm   Width: 4.75" / 12cm
£4,500

A Visakhapatnam Chest.
This historic city on the East Coast of India is known for its fine and decorative furniture.  Pieces made for the home market rather than for export, incorporate every part of the rosewood tree, including the sapwood used for drawer linings.

Circa 1790
Height:11"/28cm Width: 16.5"/42cm Depth: 9"/23cm 
£2,350

An attractive early 19th century narrative wool on silk embroidery picture. Mainly long and knot stitches are used to create the romantic pastoral scene of a shepherd and his beau, with sheep in the foreground and an enclosed farmhouse and church beyond. The faces are painted in watercolours onto the silk within a black and gilt oval mount and moulded giltwood frame.  There is tiny damage to the sky area on the right hand side. From a Private Collection.  

Circa 1830
Height: 18" / 46cm   Width: 16" / 41cm   
£750

Latest Article

American Silver

While it can safely be said that all period styles of English silver design can be seen reflected in the work of the New England silversmiths, some concurrently, some years behind, there are functional pieces which are rare in England but popular in America and vice versa. Equally there are some pieces which are found in some areas of America but not in others. So there has long been a degree of diversity in usage which on its own can determine or give reason to question and authenticate provenance. One example is the Syllabub Pot, known in England as a Posset Pot, which can be found in both countries, but in America everywhere except New York and Philadelphia. Syllabub or Posset is cream or milk curdled with ale, cider or other acid, then sweetened and heavily spiced, and is drunk out of the spout of the pot. Silver teapots were rare in America before 1750 but became popular at the same time that enthusiasm for them declined in England, probably due to the interest in the newly fashionable porcelain tea services. Thus American teapots will have all the characteristics of a 1730's style although made any time up until c.1765. American silver Mustard Pots in general were rare and Sauce Boats are found only supported by, or standing on, the mid-eighteenth century type of three scroll legs and hoof feet rather than the oval solid foot and moulded base of the English 1720 period. Salvers also were not in as great demand as the English counterpart and were rarely made as large. One important exception and one of the largest is a 16" diameter Salver in the Fowler Collection in Los Angeles, made by Joseph Richardson, a Quaker in Philadelphia. Richardson 1711 - 1785 was a prolific maker whose sons Joseph Jr. and Nathaniel formed a renowned partnership in their father's business from 1771 - 1791. These notes could run on, but suffice to say if you cannot get to Boston to see some American Silver then get to The American Museum in Bath, Somerset, England, where housed and beautifully displayed in Claverton Manor you will find a worthy and representative collection. Well worth the journey.

Click here for previous articles and Bounties.

Fifty Years of Ties to Television.

With the longest running career in broadcasting on Antique English Furniture John Bly's television life started in the 1960s. His inimitable style and sartorial elegance have made him one of the most recognised experts in the world. To celebrate this prestigious career we are going to look at one of the key components that make up his impressive wardrobe.
The accent and importance of ties: Gucci, Yves St Laurent, Lanvin as shown. Plus Hermes, Turnbull & Asser, Christian Dior to name but a few. 
John Bly is available for wardrobe consultations by appointment!