Containing 267 pages of full colour illustrations and catalogue descriptions.
When we exhibited for the first time at TEFAF Maastricht in 2006 we were delighted to learn that this publication had been short listed for the annual prize for the best researched publication. Although the competition for this category did not continue the following years we were nevertheless much encouraged by the committee’s response to our commitment to research as thoroughly as possible each and every piece. For the cover of this suede and gilt bound volume we featured a detail of an important chariot clock with magnificent case by Emperor Napoleon’s chief bronzier Pierre-Philippe Thomire, after a design by Jean Démosthène Dugourc.
In keeping with past books, the pages contained a range of works made by some of history’s greatest ébénistes, clockmakers, porcelain factories, silversmiths, painters, sculptors and bronziers. While most of the works here were made in Europe, the book also contains works from the Far East such as Japanese Satsuma ware as well as Chinese Blanc de Chine and famille-verte pieces. Although the gallery always aims to buy works in as untouched condition as possible, due to their age and the fact that nearly every object has been moved from one residence to another, a number are in need of sympathetic restoration by experts in their field. For this reason we decided to include a short article about renovation and repair showing illustrations of certain works before and after they had been cleaned, French-polished or expertly restored.