1 How did you get your start as a dealer?
A bunch of antiques dealers used to come into the restaurant I worked at in Tunbridge Wells. They were a friendly bunch. I spent some time in the pub next door getting to know them and hearing their stories. It seemed an attractive way to make a living and a lot of fun.
Pat Robbins, an oak dealer at the time and a great friend to this day, took me under his wing. I started in oak, then moved into fine English furniture for many years as a runner, supplying places like Malletts and Kentshire Galeries.
As we all know, things changed in antiques in the 2000s. At the same time I met Charlotte Casadéjus. She specialised in textiles and lived in France for many years. We decided to move into decorative antiques. Our ethos is to marry everything from 1700 to 1970 and show people that all styles can be mixed elegantly. We try not to follow trends, instead we follow the rule that if we would be happy to live with it, then others might agree.
2 What is one great discovery you’ve made?
Several years ago I was viewing an auction and to my amazement, spotted a 17th century silver gilt stand with a magnificent and superbly carved lions head and hairy paw feet. The whole thing was stunning. It almost seemed too good to be true which is probably why it was not correctly described and therefore garnered little interest. It was in fact a very rare and valuable piece which I sold well to a top London dealer who had a perfect 17th century lacquered cupboard to compliment it.
Items including a late 17th French marquetry assorted fruitwood commode with a burr elm top and cross banding, priced £4200 and a pair of 1960s French bamboo armchairs with antique linen upholstery, £1950.
3 What lessons would you pass on to others in the trade?
Read, educate yourself, do your research, go to museums, don’t assume you know. Learn everything you can about the area you specialise in. At home I have a wall full of reference books on antiques. Be brave: sometimes you have to put yourself out there in terms of what you buy. Don’t get over-excited either, take your time and make sure you check underneath a piece of furniture, that’s where the true story lies.
4 What is one item you couldn’t do without?
Charlotte Casadéjus.
5 What would be your desert island drink?
A nice cold glass of Drappier Champagne, because Charlotte’s father, Donald, introduced me to it on one of our many vino forays into France.
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