Welcome to mallettantiques.com. Mallett’s are specialist international antique dealers n London and New York of high quality antique furniture and fine art. We can export our antique furniture, paintings and objet d’art, worldwide. The objects section of the Mallett website concentrates on antique porcelain, from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries and has a wide selection of bracket clocks, porcelain vases, porcelain, ivory, boxes, lacquer work, fire wares, bronze, marble and sculptural objects. Please navigate our Object collection with the left hand menu or by selecting from the links below.
The East India Trading Company founded in the 17th century, established a vast network of trade routes and monopolised the import export market to Europe. Its businesses was focussed around tea, spices, pigments, silks and fabrics and also the decorative arts. Chinese export blue and white porcelain vases, famille rose and famille vert bowls, chargers, vases and other objects were fervently admired and collected by the Europeans who made special wall mounted constructions for the exhibition of Chinese export porcelain. The early pieces of export porcelain were purely oriental in design and concept, it wasn’t until later in the 18th century that bespoke porcelain services were also being commissioned to include family crests and European designs, demanded by clients; often imitating contemporary silver designs.
The influence of oriental porcelain, was wide spread and many attempts were made to imitate it. The Dutch were successful in creating blue and white earthenware but it wasn’t until the 1720’s that the Meissen factories in Germany discovered kaolin, and were able for the first time to create vitreous porcelain. The secret was closely guarded but inevitably with time the formula spread to the other ceramic factories such as Sevres in Paris. By the nineteenth century the production of European porcelain was so refined that a multitude of colours and techniques could be employed to create some of the most impressive pieces. Combining finely chased gilt decoration and ormolu mounts with fine painting and sections of pure white unglazed biscuit porcelain.
The introduction of lacquer furniture and objects to Europe also came via these trade routes form the Orient. Venice was quick to imitate and adapt this style of decoration to suit their own ideas, which is strongly reflected in their furniture and objet d’art. Arte povera lacquer work was exceptionally popular, with both professional artists and amateurs throughout Europe and several pieces are displayed here together with japanned items.
The Trade Company also imported ivory objects from India. The area of Vizagapatam near Madras, produced finely inlaid furniture and ivory objects such as boxes decorated with etched black pen work, combining Indian floral and animal motifs with European classical designs. We also have some items selected for their charm, beauty and intrinsic value in the modern interior. The alternative sections displayed here offer more European objet d’art, in particular the clocks and objects, which in many cases refer directly to their original surroundings. Elegant pieces made by Matthew Boulton for instance were designed to work perfectly within strictly neo classical surroundings, as designed by the architect Robert Adam. Beautifully crafted bronze and marble objects and sculptures from all of the preceding three centuries are shown here, illustrating the changes of taste and design. Unusual objects, such as antique dog collars, shagreen caskets, desk furniture, silver and metal pieces, chosen for their charm and interest are displayed in the "various" section.
The influence of surroundings is again seen in the fire wares section, these highly architectural fire surrounds and fire grates and mantels speak volumes about their origins and are still strong focal points of any room. We have a very good selection of marble and wooden surrounds together with polished brass and steel fire grates, fire irons and fenders in exceptional condition. Should you require any further information or wish to purchase any of the pieces exhibited here then please do not hesitate to contact Mallett. We trust that you will enjoy your visit to Mallett, and we look forward to helping you source the finest antique furniture and decorative arts from the extensive Mallett collections. Please take time to visit the alternative sections.