British Furniture 1820 to 1920: The Luxury Market, written by celebrated furniture historian Christopher Payne and including over 1,000 superb photographs, is a landmark publication and the first book to comprehensively assess British furniture design from the early origins of the so-called Victorian era through the myriad of influences in vogue up to the 1920s. It goes further than any book has attempted before, creating a continuum to underline the importance of the late Recency style favoured by George IV, moving through to the first two decades of the twentieth century, with a host of ever-changing styles and fashions. Payne studies the influence of the exhibition era, trade catalogues, retailers and subcontractors, and sheds light on the often-unidentified makers of reproduction furniture that later became an important part of the market. He also illustrates the importance of the revival styles, a fundamental part of the furniture trade that has often previously been ignored and shines the light on makers and suppliers of the popular Rococo Revival, ‘Queen Anne’ and ‘Chippendale’ styles. 

Some of the makers’ names are familiar to furniture collectors, such as Collinson & Lock, Edwards & Roberts, Gillow, Holland, Maples and Morris & Co., but many are less so and their work is explained and presented here for the first time.

- British Furniture 1820 to 1920 - The Luxury Market is the major work in its field, a stunning achievement and a landmark publication
- The first book to properly assess the work of British Furniture makers through the 19th century, among them great names such as Gillows, Maples, Hollands and Morris & Co
- In over 600 pages, all lavishly illustrated, the author creates the new and definitive work on this subject
- Christopher Payne, a former director of Sotheby's, is an independent furniture historian and well-known author who has appeared on the BBC Antiques Roadshow for over 30 years

About the Author:

Christopher Payne is an independent furniture historian, author and broadcaster. Formerly a director of Sotheby’s and with regular appearances on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, he has advised private clients around the world. In 2003 he published his ground-breaking study, François Linke, 1855–1946: The Belle Epoque of French Furniture, and remains curator of the extensive Linke archives. His books include works on European and French nineteenth-century furniture which have been translated into several languages, including French, Spanish, Hungarian and Chinese. He is a visiting professor at the Shanghai Institute of Visual Art (SIVA). His most recent book, Paris Furniture: The Luxury Market of the 19th Century, was published in French and English in 2018.

The sheer range and complexity of the subject of European furniture makes it impossible to adequately evaluate in anything less than this detailed and lavishly illustrated work.

Europe in the nineteenth century was a region of great political and industrial change, so it was inevitable that the period would be responsible for a wide variety of different styles. The European furniture scene at this time was dominated by France, where the aspirations of the two Napoleons to recreate France's earlier grandeur helped to promote French fashions all over Europe. In addition, other influences filtered into Europe from Turkey, Africa, and the Far and Middle East, having a notable impact on design and decoration throughout the century.

Although this period saw the advent of mass production, it was a highly creative era - often leading to bizzare results, as designers vied to produce new styles. Each decade also witnessed the manufacture of the excellently crafted and beautifully designed pieces which are so sought after and appreciated today.

The original edition of this book has become a standard reference work for auctioneers, dealers and collectors alike. Now significantly revised and expanded, with over 300 new colour illustrations, this classic work discusses the complexities of European furniture produced between 1830 and 1910, providing information and insight as well as a visual record of some of the best examples of the period.

Contents: Colour Plates; Definition of Styles; France; 'Franglais'; Germany, Austria and Switzerland; German Cabinet Makers, Designers and Retailers; Iberian Peninsula; Italy; Low Countries; Flanders; Holland; Dutch Marquetry; Details; Ottoman Empire; Russia; Scandinavia; Marble; Bronze Doré (Ormolu); Woods; Major Nineteenth-Century Exhibitions; List of Major International Exhibitions; Bibliography.

_Detailed assessment of a complex subject, updated to include 300 new colour illustrations
_While French furniture dominates this work of reference, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Flemish, Polish, Dutch, Russian and Scandinavian examples are also included

François Linke (1855-1946), born in Pankraz, Bohemia, is considered by many as the greatest Parisian cabinetmaker of his day, at a time when the worldwide influence of French fashion was at its height.

The ancien régime has always been the greatest source of inspiration for artistic design in France and, influenced amongst others by the de Goncourt brothers, the Louis XV and Louis XVI styles were revived to wide popular appeal. During the Second Empire these styles were so eclectic that they became debased. Linke wanted to create a fresh new style and his association with the enigmatic sculptor Léon Messagé resulted in a highly original series of designs, based on the rococo style fused with the latest fashion in Paris, l'art nouveau. This style, known as le style Linke, was received with critical acclaim at the 1900 exhibition and remains popular today amongst the worldwide clientele for Linke's exquisitely made furniture.

The book, with 140,000 words of text and over 700 unique photographs, many previously unpublished and drawn from Linke's own archive and private collections, has ten chapters showing the development of this exacting and prolific man's life work. It traces his early life and apprenticeship and his comfortable family life in Paris, culminating with the award of the Légion d'honneur. Appendices on Metalwork and Wood add to the technical expertise of this book, giving a unique insight into the workings of any cabinetmakers recorded to date.

Linke is arguably the leading cabinetmaker of the Belle Epoque, the glittering age of fashionable French society, whose influence was felt throughout the world

- Features over 700 superb unique photographs, many drawn from private archives and Linke's own family, all of which are previously unpublished
- Illustrates and discusses the development of Linke's life and work
- Written by the world's leading expert in this period of furniture making and design - Christopher Payne is a frequent contributor to the BBC's Antiques Roadshow