I am delighted to invite you to the inaugural Masterpiece London Fair which takes place for the first time in June this year, and at which Linley will be taking a stand. Our stand number is D9.
Visit the official Masterpiece website for visitor and ticket information
Masterpiece London is set to be one of the most exciting international events to occur in the capital for years. Representing an inter-disciplinary fusion of traditional and modern, old and new, Masterpiece London will bring together not only the finest of decorative arts, but also the best of wines, classic cars, jewellery, furniture and contemporary design.
Taking place at the former Chelsea Barracks, Chelsea Bridge Road, London SW1 between 24 and 29 June 2010, Masterpiece London is situated in the heart of one of London’s most exclusive areas, Belgravia, just around the corner from our Pimlico Road shop. I very much look forward to seeing you.
Featuring on the LINLEY stand at Masterpiece:
Metroplitan Museum Of Art Jewellery Box
An Architectural Gem by LINLEY
Over the years, British design company LINLEY has developed expertise in creating scaled versions of famous architectural buildings. In this instance, the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has been interpreted as a jewellery box.
Based upon Richard Morris’ original design of 1902, the box is made primarily in Swiss pear and cherry with grey sycamore, rosewood and ebony inlays. The box features carved Corinthian columns and mouldings, and a secret hiding place for the key within the framework of the roof – a true demonstration of precision and craftsmanship.
The main roof of the building lifts to reveal compartments for storing precious jewels. Hidden within is an additional secret storage space for particularly special pieces, a fitting purpose for a box inspired by of one the greatest treasure troves of artefacts in the world.
Further details and price
Marble Drum Table
Out of this world and of this world: The Marble Drum Table from LINLEY
British design company LINLEY introduces The Blue Marble Drum Table which combines the principles and proportions of neo-classically inspired furniture with blue ‘Sodalite’ marble, gilding and bronze.
The result is a table which exudes classical style but which has an ethereal elegance evoking the beauty and mysticism of the solar system: - when viewed from above the patina of the marble surface evokes a satellite shot of the Earth. Furthermore, surrounding the marble are nine circular inlays of Macassar ebony with satinwood stringing, symbolizing the nine solar planets.
Blue ‘Sodalite’ marble is the bluest and most exclusive of all granite and marble composites, and is found high in the Andes range. The stone is said to have special spiritual characteristics, prized by some for its meditative qualities and is purported to have a ‘grounding’ influence with an energy that is quiet, calm and deep. Mountain
In this instance both its aesthetic – and possibly spiritual - qualities have been honed through skilful stonecutting and intricate craftsmanship to create a unique piece of furniture. Not only does it exude ‘other-worldliness’ from a spiritual perspective – and indeed the world from a visual perspective - but the marble that forms the core of the table is taken from mines deep inside the earth, giving it genuine worldly gravitas.
The LINLEY Marble Drum Table is designed for a spacious entrance hall as a dramatic occasional or centre piece. The frame of the table is constructed in walnut with inlays of satinwood and ebony and slip-matched Macassar ebony banding, surmounted by the blue Sodalite marble. Three tapered legs feature gilt gold leaf capitals and flutes finished with brass feet, linked by a scalloped stretcher. Other details include three smaller squares of the marble on the ‘apron’ of the table, which is garnished with brass cock-beading, gilded flutes and bronze beading.
This exquisite one-off piece with mystical blue stone is truly out of this world…..
Further details and pricing
Monte Carlo Desk
An Architectural Desk inspired by the Monte Carlo Casino
British design company LINLEY has created a desk which pays homage to one of Monaco’s most notable landmarks – the Monte Carlo Casino. The writing desk features this distinctive building as its central gallery, with stylised archways on either side. It has been created by Linley as a one off piece, epitomizing the intricacy and precision of fine craftsmanship at its best.
The main body of the desk is constructed in American walnut with inlays of Santos rosewood and sycamore, whilst the surface of the desk is covered in dark red leather. The façade of the architectural box bears marquetry detailing in various veneers representing the windows, columns, galleries and balusters of the casino. On the underside of the domed lid of the architectural box is a marquetry depiction of the Monagesque flag in red sycamore and holly. Six hand-carved figurines surmount the rooftop.
Reminding us of its inspiration, the desk features special references to the activities of the casino and its history. These include a marquetry depiction of playing cards and die as well as a laser etched portrait of its founder, Charles III of Monaco. Adding an element of surprise, over six secret drawers are hidden within, each one released by a different mechanism; ideal for hiding the winnings!
The casino, built by the architect Charles Gariner, was founded by Charles III of Monaco and opened in 1856. It stands to this day, resplendent in the main square of Monte Carlo, an evocation of the glamour and excitement of Monaco. The desk is a fitting tribute to an iconic building, and in its own right is a collectable work of art – not a trick to miss!
Further details and pricing
Pont du Gard Side Tables
LINLEY bridges the gap with a beautiful, one off pair of side tables…
British design company LINLEY introduces a unique pair of side tables named after the ‘Pont du Gard’. The style of this one off pair draws inspiration from the elegance and fine detailing of ‘Sheraton’ furniture of the late 18th century. Its embellishment refers to the architectural beauty of the Roman Empire’s Pont du Grad aqueduct, which stands to this day in Provence.
The main frame of each side table is constructed in American walnut with a slip-matched Santos rosewood surface and lower shelf. Sycamore and nickel plated stringing add definition and texture.
The graceful silhouette of the side tables evokes the refined form of Sheraton’s pieces but stream-lined and simplified in a contemporary manner. The tapered legs with nickel plated feet give an overall impression of delicacy and elegance. The marquetry decoration depicting the magnificent bridge is not only visually beautiful but, like Sheraton’s work, conveys a positive appreciation of the beauty of wood, with contrasting veneers, fine stringing and geometric patterns depicting the famous aqueduct.
The Pont du Gard Bridge, a world heritage site and one of France’s most notable landmarks is a triumphant reminder of skill and craftsmanship. The aqueduct, carrying 35 cubic meters of water daily, enabled the town of Nimes to flourish with fountains, spas, sophisticated plumbing networks and monuments. It is constructed on three levels, carrying a road and a water channel and took fifteen years to build. Echoing this superlative craftsmanship LINLEY has beautifully portrayed the bridge contouring the table using laser cut marquetry of walnut, Santos rosewood and sycamore.
The Pont du Gard Side Tables have been designed to stand alone as a beautiful yet functional addition to any room and, just like the hidden caves and ancient Roman grottos surrounding the Pont du Gard, LINLEY has added an element of surprise; hidden within the marquetry arches is a secret door concealing the perfect hiding place for your most precious artefacts.
Further details and pricing
Pagoda Screen
Star of Stage and Screen – The LINLEY ‘Pagoda Screen’
LINLEY introduces the Pagoda Screen which takes its inspiration from the exotic and distinctive Chinoiserie bed at Badminton House.
The bed, commissioned by the 4th Duke and Duchess of Beaufort for the Chinese bedroom, was designed and made by John Linnell and his father William Linnell for Badminton House in 1754 and in turn takes its inspiration from the architecture of Chinese pagodas.
LINLEY has drawn on the design of the fretted backboard of the bed to create the four panels of the screen. This Chinoiserie style, similar to that of garden tea pavilions found in large gardens throughout Britain and Europe from circa 1730, was particularly popular for ladies’ bedrooms and dressing rooms. Echoing this, mirrors have been added to the top of each panel on the LINLEY screen. These serve a practical purpose in a dressing room, but equally their addition reflects and enhances the light in a room.
The fretwork of the screen has been created using marquetry inlay of dark Macassar ebony and ripple sycamore. To add depth and give the illusion of 3D pattern, different shades of ripple sycamore and ebony have been used. The screen is made up of four panels, with slotted nickel butt hinges allowing the panels to be disassembled easily. The intricate marquetry and mirrored panels are repeated on both sides of the screen ensuring that wherever the screen is placed the pattern remains in view.
The Pagoda Screen is both adaptable and functional, but equally beautiful; an ideal way to sub-divide open plan space in a non- intrusive way.
Further details and pricing
Skyline Humidor
LINLEY and Hunters & Frankau create a rare collecting opportunity
British design company LINLEY has joined forces with the UK’s leading independent cigar importer, Hunters & Frankau, to create a unique offering for the cigar enthusiast. They are launching a series of high end, one off and limited edition humidors containing rare cigars supplied by Hunters & Frankau.
LINLEY has established a reputation for creating beautifully made unique products using woods and inlay in an imaginative, distinctive way. Hunters & Frankau are the exclusive importers of Cuban cigars into the UK, their heritage and involvement with the cigar trade dating back to 1790. Both LINLEY and Hunters & Frankau are experts in their respective fields and the combined knowledge of these two companies has been used to create a rare purchasing opportunity for the true connoisseur. These are special pieces for those who have a true love of accomplished craftsmanship, and for those who are passionate about collecting and enjoying cigars.
The second humidor in the LINLEY Hunters & Frankau Collection is called Skyline and is made in a limited edition of five.
This humidor features the panoramic skyline of London in marquetry detailing around the box. Landmarks of London depicted include the Millennium Wheel, the Barbican, the Swiss Re Building (sometimes known as ‘The Gherkin’), St Pauls’ Cathedral and the Millennium Dome. Veneers of cherry, Swiss pear, sycamore, walnut and wenge are used to recreate the city skyline to dramatic effect set against a background of Macassar ebony. The imagery runs continuously around the box.
The box opens on hinged doors to reveal five Spanish cedar drawers with capacity for approximately 70 cigars. A Cigar Spa humidification system is contained within.
Further details and pricing
The Antique Wine Company Ch√¢teau Haut-Brion cabinet
One of nine exquisitely crafted architectural cabinets featuring the most celebrated Ch√¢teaux in Bordeaux, produced by LINLEY for the Antique Wine Company
The Antique Wine Company Ch√¢teau Haut-Brion cabinet features 17 of the finest vintages of Ch√¢teau Haut-Brion and Ch√¢teau Haut-Brion Blanc of excellent provenance, sourced by The Antique Wine Company. Haut-Brion Rouge: 2005, 2003, 2000, 1995, 1990, 1989, 1982, 1975, 1961, 1955, 1945, 1928. Haut-Brion Blanc: 2007, 2003, 1997, 1989, 1985. The cabinet has been constructed in sycamore with a grey sycamore roof with holly, grey sycamore, maple, macassar ebony and burr ash inlays. There are laser-etched details across the various elevations. The model has a hinged lid that reveals a storage compartment for two wine bottles. To the inside of the lid there is an engraved custom plaque. It also has two hidden compartments, each on push latches.
