Fireplace saga moves on significantly

English Heritage is facing scrutiny from Britain’s new coalition government over claims of a conflict of interest which allegedly saw it “abuse” its planning powers in favour of a commercial partner. English Heritage are currently selling self branded fireplaces, It is argued that its organisational structure is designed to protect against conflicts of interest between its commercial activities and its advisory role.

Liberal Democrat MP and secretary for Scotland, Michael Moore, is investigating a complaint that the quango discriminated against specialist fireplace manufacturer Thistle & Rose – a firm based in his constituency – in favour of a rival firm licensed to sell a range of “English Heritage”-branded fireplaces.

In a letter before claim sent to English Heritage’s lawyers, Thistle & Rose’s solicitor warned that it was seeking damages as a result of its losses. “EH enjoys a dominant position by playing a regulatory role as the body selected by the UK government to secure the preservation of historic buildings in England,” the letter stated. “Simultaneously, EH has the ability to compete for commercial gain for the sale of traditional fireplaces for such listed buildings. It is our client’s position that, from 2008 onwards, EH abused that dominant position by seeking to exclude the commercial rivals of its chosen commercial partner, Acquisitions.”

bd

Gaze Architectural Salvage & Statuary sale this Saturday

Diss Norfolk, UK

Gaze are holding an Architectural Salvage & Statuary sale on Saturday 3 July, starting at 10am with viewing prior. Auctioneer Carl Willows will be running through some 1055 lots which includes garden statuary, york stone paving, turret clocks and other excellent statuary.


Lot: 7225 A wrought metal and wirework gazebo, estimated at £850 - £1275.


Lot: 7386 An early 20th Century sandstone figure of the Madonna and child 67" high from the Convent of St Michael, Clacton. Estimated at £3,000 - £4.500.


Lot: 7394 An early 20th Century sandstone figure of the Angel Michael standing 79" high slaying a dragon from the Convent of St Michael, Clacton, estimated at £5,000 - £8,000.


Lot: 7634 A pair of weathered Chilstone Gothic jardinieres - 27" tall, estimated at £1100 - £1600


Lot: 7667 50 Sq yds of York stone paving from Swan Hunter ship yard, estimated at £4,800 - £6,800


Lot: 7878 A pair of mid 19th Century glazed French doors with bowed over door. Estimated at £750 - £1,125.

Gaze catalogue

Antique textiles on show at Salvo Fair

Knebworth, Hertfordshire UK
Angela Rose has been eagerly sourcing an array of antique textiles leading up to this years Salvo Fair

"I shall be bringing table linen, bed linen, antique lace, art nouveau and art deco atr work in the form of table cloths and fire screens. I will also bring a selection of antique quilts, Durham quilts, trim and fabric for projects, mother of pearl buttons and more."







Salvo Fair

The revival continues in ATG

Knebworth, Hertfordshire UK
Joan Porter of Antique Trade Gazette reports on the final weeks leading up to Salvo Fair 25-27 June, business such as Cox's Architectural Salvage Yard, Arc Reclamation and Antique Church Furnishings comments on Salvo Fair and the reclamation trade in general.

Salvo Fair

Salvo Fair booking deadline

Knebworth, Hertfordshire UK
The deadline for last minute pitch bookings at Salvo Fair is Tuesday 22 June 2010.

These are the vat-inclusive prices for antique, reclaimed, salvaged, and recraft craftspeople pitches;
Jumbo 60ft by 40ft £804
Big 60ft by 20ft £600
Medium 40ft by 20ft £479
Small 20ft by 20ft £285
Table 10ft by 10ft £92
Contact Ruby as soon as possible on 01225 422300 or 07855 010960

Please note that there are no 'new and repro' pitches available.

More exhibitor info and downloadable booking form

Decorative and antique lighting at Salvo Fair

Above: A Turn of the Century Electrolier in Silver Plate finish, this high quality heavy weight, cast chandelier has 6 arms and matching ceiling rose. £1800. 70cms(H) x 60(W)

Knebworth, Hertfordshire UK
Antique Chandeliers of Copthorne specialise in large scale antique lighting fittings suitable for the larger period property to include antique chandeliers in crystal and glass and quality antique Flemish and other metal chandeliers plus English electroliers in brass, silver plate and gilt.

At the Salvo Fair they will be showing part of their stock of quality antique metal chandeliers together with antique lanterns and wall lights plus a small number of crystal items.

With over 15 years in the antique lighting business, Antique Chandeliers has a client list which includes many top interior designers as well as private clients. One of their antique crystal chandeliers was chosen for Ralph Lauren's Bond Street window showcasing its current home collection.


Above: A Large Gilt French Empire Chandelier with Central Cut Glass Bowl and Six Arms,featuring reeded supports and corona with matching reeded patterning to pans and nozzles. The original glass bowl has an etched pattern. The arms and and central chandelier ring have relief patterning. £3500 100cm (H) x 82cm (W)

Salvo Fair

Antique Chandeliers

Salvo Fair 2010 is quickly approaching

Knebworth, Hertfordshire UK
This years 10th Anniversary Salvo Fair is just around the corner, we are expecting a ten percent rise in exhibitors who will bring their wears to Knebworth House, Hertfordshire from 25-27 June 2010. Visitors will be able to make many beautiful discoveries to transform the home and garden without costing the earth (literally).

Peter Watson of Cox's Yard, a long standing veteran of the fair is taking a large stand, he will be demonstrating one aspect of the recraft side of the business, turning old oak carriage boards from French freight trains into solid timber doors, built to size, and with all the craftsmanship, strength and character of a good old-fashioned reclaimed door. Peter Watson says, "We don't offer perfection. We offer splits, knots, and character." The timber is heavily sanded, filled, and oiled. Any style of hinges, locks and handles can be fitted.



Tina Pasco is new to Salvo Fair but has more than 16 years experience dealing in garden antiques in the UK, France and USA. Over the past few months Tina has been searching out the best garden antiques for the fair. Alongside her reclaimed pieces Tina will be bringing a Victorian-style mobile cloche, handmade by Kentish furniture maker and friend, David Le Versha exclusively for Pasco at Esprit du Jardin.



Other interesting items destined for Salvo Fair 2010 includes antique stone troughs from the new Russell Crowe Robin Hood movie filmed at Shepperton, a wonderful 6ft Victorian ceramic roll top bath by prestigious makers Adams & Co, reclaimed from an old hotel on Walney Island, Cumbria and a cast iron radiator belonging to Orson Welles, voted best film director of all time, and tonnes of Victorian red bricks from an early 1900's officer's quarters at RAF Northolt, Middlesex.



Enjoy an inspirational day out at Salvo Fair and find all you need for your home and garden from an international array of exhibitors - from birdbaths to bricks, fireplaces to flagstones, tiles to toilets . . . you might even find the odd kitchen sink!

Salvo Fair

Exploding balls return to Salvo Fair

Knebworth, Hertfordshire UK
Florian Langenbeck from Historische Turen Schlosser Beschlage is bringing his exploding German balls back to this years Salvo Fair, after they proved such a hit last year. The balls were originally used in an old mill for crushing pigment. Amazingly as last years exhibitors found out during a friendly game of boules when the balls hit each other they explode as if a large percussion cap has gone of. The balls are one for £5 and three for £10, he has 200 pieces all together.





Historische Turen Schlosser Beschlage

Salvo Fair

Commemorative keystones at Salvo Fair

Knebworth, Hertfordshire UK
V & V Reclamation will bring six carved portland stone key stones to Salvo Fair 2010. Four of the stones have coats of arms, and two have profile carvings of the British nurses and humanitarians, Florence Nightingale and Edith Cavell. They were removed from the facade of St Thomas's Hospital in 2004 and stand at approximately one metre tall. The commemorative stone is dated 1936 and is priced at £1,200 each.





V & V Reclamation

Salvo Fair

An end to stifling business growth

London UK

Business Secretary Vince Cable today announced an action plan to “re-open Britain for business” and bring an end to the excessive regulation that is stifling business growth, especially of small businesses. The action plan will establish a new “challenge group” to come up with innovative approaches to achieving social and environmental goals in a non-regulatory way.

Vince Cable said, "The deluge of new regulations has been choking off enterprise for too long. We must move away from the view that the only way to solve problems is to regulate. The Government has wide-ranging social and ecological goals including protecting consumers and protecting the environment. This requires increased social responsibility on the part of businesses and individuals."

Department for Business Innovation & Skills

Organised thieves target England’s stately homes

London, England
England’s stately homes are being targeted by organised gangs who are stealing important porcelain pieces. With at least 21 major cases in the past three years, and a further 15 attempted robberies according to a leading criminal expert Dick Ellis, former head of Scotland Yard’s art and antiques unit. Targets include Firle Place in Sussex, where porcelain worth £500,000 was seized last summer and Sutton Park, the home of Sir Reginald Sheffield—the father of Samantha Cameron, the prime minister’s wife. In most cases the criminals seem to know exactly what they are looking for and spend only a minutes in the house.

Dick Ellis said, "I have identified three gangs, who appear to be responsible for most of the 36 thefts and attempted break-ins. The first operates at night, removing sections of glass from windows, often with the use of a ladder (it may have been responsible for the Firle Place and Sutton Park losses). The second gang, which forces its way through a door or window, includes a very small person who is able to squeeze into narrow openings. The third targets country houses open to visitors, using very rapid forced entry. All three gangs are highly professional."

The Art Newspaper

Modern Design

Gaze, Diss Norfolk
Gaze will be holding a modern design sale on Saturday 12 June at 10am.


Lot 6013: A teak and oak framed Danish lounge chair, estimated at £80-£120.


Lot 6018: An early to mid 20th Century laminated two tier trolley with red painted removable trays, estimated at £20-£50.


Lot: 6234: "D & B Lampbase" a Dumler & Breiden early 1970's Pop Art tall spring form lampbase, red with matte black and gold fabric textured panels, marked 560-50 23" high, estimated at £40-£70

Gaze

Extensive clearance auction

Dublin, Ireland UK
Herman Wilkinson Auctioneers are holding an extensive clearance auction for The Passionate Fathers at their premises Mount Argus Monastry on the 15 June 2010 at 10.30am. Viewing will be held on Sunday 13 June from 3pm - 5pm and Monday 14 June 11am - 7pm

Items include Magnificent carved oak case 9' high lofty long case clock, Irish grandfather clock, maker Schriber Dublin, Victorian wall clock and other clocks, William IV Pembroke table, substantial Victorian sideboard, pair oak hall chairs, approx. 10 smokers elbow chairs, hall stands, Victorian 4 door and 2 door bookcases in mahogany and oak, Pine vestment cupboards, phenomenal 20' Victorian pitch pine vestment cabinet, dressing mirror, Edwardian oak dining table, 2 loose leaves, Capo de Monte group the Last supper, large and small religious statues, set embroidered wool stations, old religious oil paintings, 20' wide oil painting the Last supper, Victorian chaise longues and gents armchair, Georgian scroll end settee, church brasses including sets candlesticks, candelabra, crosses, etc, approx 15 x 8' & 10' pine refectory tables, 8' & 15' pine church benches and pews, priedieus, bentwood, fireside and elbow chairs, counter display cases, filing cabinets, trestle tables, plant stands, pine double side bookshelves, contents of 50 bedrooms including wardrobes, chests, etc, kitchen equipment including 4 burner gas range, stainless steel work tables, crockery, bookshelves, church furnishings, invalid hoist, hospital beds, colour T.V.s

Herman & Wilkinson

Reused house facade

Pines Garden, near Dover UK
eSalvo reader Will Carleton (CEO of Photo Archive News) sent in this weeks reuse of the week: the facade of a London town house on the upper part of 73 Cheapside, demolished in the 1920s, which has been reused in the Pines Garden, just outside Dover, to be admired and provide supporting flower beds for the plants.

The caption on the commemorative plaque reads:

This handsome facade on an important city mansion which was erected in 1669 following the Great Fire in 1666, stood a few doors east of Queen Street and here it is said that Sir William Turner kept his mayorality 1668-9. It was occupied later by Mr. Thomas Regg, the bookseller. A view of this house drawn by T. H. Shepherd in about 1830 is illustrated in a number of books on the City of London.

The house was demolished in the 1920s. Since then the facade has been housed in various places and efforts to reconstruct it in the City of London and elsewhere have proved unsuccessful.

The elevation which was the upper part of 73 Cheapside was offered to the Trustees in 1975 who decided to lay it out in the Pines Garden rather than see the destruction of this fine facade.








Pines Gardens

Gardenvisit.com

It's an International affair at Salvo 2010

Knebworth, Herts UK
Salvo Fair 2010 will truly be an international affair, with a selection of exhibitors from across Europe including Hungarian exhibitors Liviel Kft. They intend to bring samples of all their materials so fair visitors can understand the scope of their business.

Liviel was established in 1995, "soon after democracy was introduced to Hungary," said Steve Amyek its founder. Originally the business concentrated on buying and restoring antique furniture, but as demand grew and the world increasingly acknowledged its environmental problems the company adapted and began to make antique style furniture entirely from reclaimed materials.

"In our search for quality reclaimed wood, we realized the potential of dealing in all other types of building materials and as a result Liviel has been supplying and sourcing reclaimed building materials to the building, landscaping and private sectors for more than thirteen years," said Steve.




Above: A large entry door of a country home, painted in lovely blue.


Above: A restored small antique pine kitchen cabinet.


Above: Unusual small size stone trough.


Above: Red hand made brick, from the second part of the 19th century.

Antique Brick

Invite Your World

Knebworth, Herts UK
Elizabeth Adams from Invite Your World will be exhibiting at this years Salvo Fair, following a successful fair last year. Invite Your World has a variety of material envelopes, cushions and handkerchiefs with personalised messages, and new products are always emerging.

Elizabeth said, "A childhood spent rifling through other peoples junk started a fascination for all things old and neglected. Lots of moving started a passion for packing everything up, paying special attention to things that must not get broken or lost. Creating little hidey-holes and secret messages, safe houses for memories and keepsakes."

Elizabeth is very aware of her green credentials and consequently all of the packaging is biodegradable and the products are made from end of the roll discarded fabric and printed in the UK by herself her Mum, Aunt and Cousin.







Invite Your World

Baron yields castle after 500 years

Craighall Castle, Scotland UK
After 500 years the Rattray clan have sold Craighall Castle to Sassenach, a London investment banker for an undisclosed sum. He plans to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on the dilapidated pile and turn it into his own family home.

Craighall of Rattray on the outskirts of Blairgowrie, has been home to 20 generations of clan chiefs but the current laird, a descendant of William the Conqueror, has been forced to sell his title and the fortified mansion of Craighall of Rattray Castle, which has been occupied by his family since 1533. Lachlan said, "It needs a lot of work. I hope the new owners will be able to restore it to its former glory and retain some of its atmosphere. I am happy that it has gone to someone who can afford to look after it."

Scotsman

Builder died on demolition site from a blow to the head

Poole UK
A builder working on a demolition job died after a lump of barn wall 2ft long hit him on the head. He was working with his son, Jamie, at Dunbury Farm House in Winterborne Houghton, when the tragedy happened in November 2008. Giving evidence at the Dorchester inquest, his son said, “I was standing on the rubble facing the wall drilling right to left. Me and my dad were chatting now and then. A big lump came off, I looked to see where it landed and saw my dad laying on the floor face up on the rubble."

Despite CPR carried out by workmen from the neighbouring site, and by paramedics when they arrived 20 minutes later, Mr Ford never regained consciousness and died at the scene. Jamie told the inquest he believed all safety equipment would be on site, but neither man was wearing a hard hat.

Daily Echo

Brian Murphy's presentation 'Specifying Reclaim & Reuse'

Brian Murphy of National Green Specification has produced a publicly available slideshow of points for architects and others to consider when specifying reclaimed materials. This is the nearest thing we have seen to a reclamation checklist for professionals.

Reclaim & Reuse: Specification Issues (Rev 2)

Scribd

Green Spec

Nick Knowles on Original Features

Nick Knowles presenter of Original Features on the Home Channel was helped by Kate Jerrold from Robert Mills in Bristol, Source Antiques, Rose Green Tiles & Reclamation and Bens Floors, among others. He explores a different home in each episode, from a Tudor cottage in Warwickshire and a Georgian townhouse in Bath to a 1970s duplex in Surrey, revealing that each has a story to tell.

Lovehome.co.uk

WRI launches Forest Legality site

The World Resources Institute have launched a Forest Legality Alliance to support the private sector efforts and policies to reduce trade in illegally harvested wood. The Alliance is a global public-private initiative open to businesses, industry associations, financial institutions and civil society organizations with a stake in legal forest product supply chains.

Illegal logging is acknowledged as a major environmental, social and economic problem by both timber-producing and timber-consuming countries. Countries that are major importers of wood products have begun to address the problem of illegal logging and associated trade with a variety of laws and policies. The Alliance produces innovative practical tools to help forest product supply chains screen out illegal wood.

“Some companies are not aware of the need to ask questions about the wood they are buying or the consequences of letting illegal wood enter their supply chains,” said Craig Hanson, director of WRI’s People and Ecosystems Program. “The Alliance seeks to build confidence that imported wood and paper products are legal. Done right, trade supports environmental protection and the Alliance recognizes the role trade plays in protecting our world’s great forests.”

NEWS RELEASE: Global Alliance Launched to Curb Trade in Illegal Wood

Forest facts

Forest Legality Alliance

nolasalvage

New Orleans, USA
Nolasalvage make wall art houses from old cypress and salvaged metal parts. The wall sculptures are inspired by New Orleans architecture and are made with salvaged wood, scrap metal and other found objects are used to represent a door and window. Each house is unique and the sizes vary from 5"-10" tall and 4"-6" wide.

The founder of nolasalvage said, "Part of loving New Orleans is loving its architecture and signature shotgun houses. Another part of my lifestyle is the abundance of debris, I keep finding interesting bits of metal and beautiful old wood that I don't want to throw away. These wall sculptures are a result of my love for art and junk!"



Etsy

Arthur Swallow launches two new fairs

Arthur Swallow Fairs, organisers of the event at the Lincolnshire Showground, will launch two new fairs this year. They plan a monthly event at Donington Park and a specialist fair for restoration and architectural salvage at the Great Yorkshire Showground, near Harrogate.

Antiques Trade Gazette

Beautiful Bronzes

Wallace Collection, London UK
Beautiful Renaissance and Baroque bronzes once graced every mantlepiece. Brian Sewell from the Evening Standard explains how we have the chance to rediscover a great forgotten art by visiting the Beauty and Power; Renaissance and Baroque Bronzes from the collection of Peter Marino which is currently at the Wallace Collection until July 25, daily 10am-5pm, admission free.

Evening Standard

Summers Place auction results

Billingshurst, West Sussex UK
Summers Place held a live auction of garden statuary and fossil decoration on 25 May 2010 and a sealed bid on 28 May 2010. Below is a selection of the results;



Lot 21: A pair of Italian late 19th Century large (43in) carved white marble urns. Estimated price £5,000-8,000, price realised £15,500.



Lot 67: A pair of late 19th/early 20th century impressive wrought iron lamp standards, 10ins high. Reputedly removed from Windsor Great Park. Estimated at £7,000-10,000, price realised £20,900.



Lot 77: An unusual South German/North Italian carved fruit wood wall planter, 83in high, from the second half of the 19th century. Estimated at £5,000-7,000, price realised £23,300.



Lot 86: A Coalbrookdale Lily of the Valley pattern seat stamped CB Dale Co, circa 1870, 62in wide. This design, number 171578 was registered and patented at the Public Records Office on the 8th February 1864 by Coalbrookdale and was seat number 36 in their castings catalogue of 1875. Estimated at £5,000-8,000, price realised ££18500.



Lot 92: A restored early 20th century unusual Art Nouveau wrought iron bridge, 101in long. Estimated at £6,000-10,000, price realised £14300.



Lot 115: A pair of 20th century Cretan large and unusual terracotta storage jars. Estimated at £3,000-5,000, price realised £31,700.



(sealed bid) Lot 359: A modern painted wood and slate tiled “granary“ summerhouse by Peter Hill Jones, 370cms.; 146ins high by 290cm.; 114ins square. Estimated at £3,000-5,000, price realised £13,100.



(sealed bid) Lot 368: A modern painted wood and lead duck house, 142cm.; 56ins high by 82cm.; 32½ins wide. The floating duck house is based on an 18th century building reconstructed at Skansen, in Stockholm.

This floating duck house is identical to the one bought by the Tory M.P. Sir Peter Viggers for his constituency home in Hampshire in 2006. It subsequently achieved a degree of notoriety when it was discovered that the M.P. had tried to claim the purchase cost as part of his parliamentary expenses. Sir Peter‘s garden purchase has been endorsed by television property guru Kirstie Allsopp in a message on Twitter. In response to the revelations in the Daily Telegraph she wrote: “Wow...floating duck islands are a winner, they protect ducks from foxes, does this mean we can all have one now?“

Estimated at £1,800-2,500, price realised £4,070.

Summers Place live auction results