01/06/2026
T I M E S T E A L E R S
The thing I love most about antique and vintage pieces is their hidden stories.
The visual appeal of a carefully selected piece is only part of its charm. The puzzle of trying to piece together its’ backstory is also very alluring.
Yesterday I spent the whole day researching this fabulous terracotta portrait bust of the British actress Virginia McKenna. Fortunately she still has the original exhibition label attached to her base, detailing the name and address of the artist & the original price. The label indicated she was exhibited at the Mall Galleries in London, probably in the early 70s - taking into account the price, the typography of the label and the prominence of McKenna at this time.
Further digging revealed the artist to be a prominent figure in the Society of Portrait Sculptors from 1968–1980, thus tying in with the suggested timeframe.
But what happened to this piece in between the exhibition and her landing with me? Will I be able to fully trace her journey through time? I feel compelled to try and piece together her history.
Ultimately the mystique of an unknown past is what makes antique pieces like this such intriguing and interesting additions to an interior. As human beings, we love stories and introducing a few antique or vintage pieces are a great way to bring an element of storytelling into your home. Especially pieces which are evocative of the human touch such as artwork or handcrafted items.
The most interesting homes are full of things which have been gathered, collected and have evolved over time. Just like a story unfolding.
