Ceramics, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles
Fine dining often calls for a luxurious table setting. One of the most historic features of this custom is the charger plate; a decorative base for the practical plates and bowls to sit upon. As well as forming a charming display, chargers have also been produced as ceramic art in their own right for many… Read more »
Ceramics, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles
In the mid 17th century, tea drinking was popularised in England by Catherine of Braganza and the court of Charles II. The high expense and exclusivity of tea leaves made them a product worth keeping in grand style. Whilst original tea caddies were practical metal and wooden vessels, they were formed in elegant porcelain by the… Read more »
Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles, Watercolour, Works On Paper
Dating back hundreds of years, gouache is often seen as a more opaque alternative to watercolours. The thicker density allows for a bright and robust appearance, leading artists to infuse all manner of compositions with white gouache highlights, as well as creating work with gouache as the primary medium. Above: a selection of artwork from… Read more »
Ceramics, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles
Whether it is made of fine porcelain or rough terracotta, a vase is often a centrepiece when it comes to ceramic art. These decorative and functional features of our home can hold extreme sentimental or monetary value, causing distress when damage occurs. Luckily, the restoration of ceramic vases by our conservator is carried out at… Read more »
Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles
Animal forms have influenced visual cultures for thousands of years. Whether they are composed in paint, porcelain, textiles or ink, these auspicious creatures can provide significant symbolic influence through their legend, allegory and name. In Chinese art, animals are often a central part of the composition due to their societal connotations and duel linguistic meaning. … Read more »
Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Oil Paintings, Useful articles
Our team is often called out to specialist projects that require treatment on site. This is sometimes because an artwork forms part of a building or is too large to be removed. In the case of the Army and Navy Club, it was due to eight full length portraits being framed securely within the walls.… Read more »
Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Oil Paintings, Useful articles
When researching the provenance of a painting, the artist’s signature is important, but it is not always the only clue. Gaining further insight into where a painting has been after its creation, through whose hands it has passed, or in front of whose eyes, can help us to build a picture of its history and… Read more »
Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles, Works On Paper
From pure white to earthy red, chalk comes in a variety of natural forms. As one of the earliest mediums found in the history of art, chalk can be more durable than expected when kept safely in the correct conditions. Above: examples of chalk drawings, sketches and drafts from various centuries Whilst the pigment may… Read more »
Case Studies, Ceramics, Collection Care, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Specialist Items, Useful articles
Museum collections often require the attention of a conservator, whether this is to provide routine maintenance or prepare items for longterm display. The Paisley Museum and Art Gallery reached out to our team for assistance with their historic collection of Syrian glass. Above: Amy working on one of Paisley Museum’s glass vessels – image copyright… Read more »
Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles
Following on from our previous article 101 Art History Facts we have 40 more art history facts, anecdotes and insights for you to explore. 1. According to Vasari, Michelangelo strongly disliked Raphael and Leonardo Da Vinci. Leonardo and Michelangelo were bitter rivals in the Florentine art market. Raphael was a new contender winning many of… Read more »
Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles
Our team is celebrating Christmas with art historical insights, from the nativity scenes of the renaissance to the snowscapes of the impressionists. Below are 20 of our festive art history facts. Above: detail from Winter Landscape with Ice Skaters and Imaginary Castle by Christoffel van den Berghe, 1615-20 1. Albrecht Dürer’s Adoration of the Magi… Read more »
Ceramics, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles
Welcome back to our conservation curiosities series where we look into some of the more unusual and interesting items that come into our studio. Today we are going to explore the history and care of the jardinière, a popular and practical antique that is much admired by collectors and gardeners around the world Above: a… Read more »
Artists, Gilding, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Murals & Street Art, Oil Paintings, Useful articles
In the mid to late 18th century, London was a thriving market for interior designers. Wealthy patrons were seeking the most fashionable and distinguished decoration. This was answered by talented architects and craftsmen who could create entire schemes inclusive of furniture, murals and decorative objects. Above: our team working on a Robert Adam ceiling in… Read more »
Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles, Works On Paper
From printmaking to freehand sketches, ink has always played an important role. Whether it is applied in preliminary drawings or used as the final medium, it is found in many forms – each with their own unique colour and origin. Above: a variety of ink drawings from the renaissance to the 19th century This article… Read more »
Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles, Works On Paper
The respect and worship of ancestral heritage has been practiced in China for many centuries, resulting in the creation of portraiture of artistic and familial significance. Dating as far back as the Ming dynasty, these paintings on silk, paper and canvas are so detailed that they can provide historians with vital evidence of lineage, rank… Read more »
Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Oil Paintings, Useful articles
As history progresses, the list of named artists working in England massively increases. You will see from our articles on artists of the 16th century and 17th century that by the 1690s there was a great leap in the number of names and their continued level of artistic output. Above: oil paintings and miniatures from… Read more »
Ceramics, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles
As one of the earliest mediums in western art history, marble has been a dominant influence on artists for centuries. From the classical sculptures of ancient Greece to the marble halls of Art Deco buildings, this versatile material is known for its semi-opaque surface and long-lasting vibrancy. Above: marble sculptures from ancient Greece, ancient Rome,… Read more »
Ceramics, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Specialist Items, Textiles, Useful articles
Every generation has been influenced by the unique toys and games of their childhood, but one piece has remained timeless for all. Dolls have been adored by their owners since ancient Rome, although their materials have changed over time – their enrichment has remained the same. As we grow older, these childhood companions may remain… Read more »
Ceramics, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles
Tied with Chelsea as the first porcelain factory in England, Bow was famous for its industrious output and development of fine bone china. Inspired by the exported goods from Asia, which had been competition for British craftsmen since the 17th century, Bow set about creating its own designs as well as directly copying those from… Read more »
Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Oil Paintings, Useful articles
When faces are immortalised in oil paint, watercolour, pencil and pastels, the artist captures a vital aspect of the sitter’s life – usually commemorating their military prowess, regal status or marital role. Childhood portraiture, by contrast, captures a sense of what is yet to come – making these charming artworks an insightful glimpse into ambitions… Read more »
