Detail of a Dutch mahogany and marquetry commode, circa 1800.

Spring is upon us. Everywhere early flowers are adding colour to the hedgerows before the green leaves make their appearance. Countless bouquets have been bought and delivered for Mothering Sunday and no doubt many more baskets and bunches are planned for Easter. The appeal of flowers to artists and craftsmen is universal.  Above, and below, is a Dutch mahogany four-drawer bombé marquetry commode, profusely inlaid with vases of flowers and floral sprays.

On the left is a Victorian walnut marquetry writing table attributed to Edward Holmes Baldock.  Holmes Baldock furniture is my favourite because the numerous inlaid flowers and leaves are so well observed that it is quite possible to identify myriad British flowers. In this table, to name just a few, there are tulips, periwinkles, convolvulus, auricula, sweet peas, fuchsia, harebells and, delightfully, a single spray of white stephanotis picked out in bone.  On the right is a wall cabinet by the French master craftsman Gervais Durand.  He too created identifiable flowers, in this case roses and nicotiana. 

Meanwhile, in Japan, the Ando and Tamura workshops also produced pieces inspired by flowers.  An interesting fact about the first two vases, both Ando, is that the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, has similar ones in its collection (although the orchid is white in the black vase) as published in Gregory Irvine, Japanese Cloisonne, V&A, 2006.  The pale blue vase, by the Tamura family, is an example of their signature use of gin-bari enamel (clear glaze over silver foil) in the flowerheads and turquoise leaves.  

Following last month’s exciting announcement, that 2Covet has bought the Chelsea Antiques Fair, we are delighted to report that preparations for a fair in September are in full swing. First and foremost, we have appointed Sophie Wood as fair director and organizer. Sophie is a highly experienced antiques event director and will oversee the historic fair that will take place between September 20 and 26. Flowers have a bearing on this too, as the Chelsea Antiques Fair will coincide with the Chelsea Flower Show – and Sophie’s company Sopharella Floral Design will supply the in-show arrangements for us.

Sophie said: “The return of The Fair is just what the industry needs; there is a huge demand after the lockdowns.  Chelsea Old Town Hall is a beautiful venue and the dates mean the fair will be running alongside the Chelsea Flower Show.  Only top-end dealers from different fields will be attending and with pent-up demand we are anticipating a lot of business.  Although 2Covet is an online portal, which has shown its importance during the lockdowns, physical events will complement it.  Dealers and their customers like to meet and there is a social side to these events.  They also help build relationships that can fuel future online sales.  It happens to be The Fair’s 70th year so there is an extra reason for celebration.”  The first day on the fair will be for VIP guests followed by a 70th anniversary celebration, and for the next five days anyone can attend.