MALLETT ANTIQUE OBJECTS
Welcome to mallett antiques.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, world wide. The objects section of the
Mallett web site 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, demand-
ed 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 environment.
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 surround-
ings. 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 miscellaneous 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.
MALLETT
141 New Bond Street,
London, W1S 2BS,
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7499 7411
Fax: +44 (0)20 7495 3179
MALLETT Inc.
929 Madison Avenue at 74th,
New York, NY 10021,
United States of America
Tel: +1 212 249 8783
Fax: +1 212 249 8784