Loveday Antiques

Home
United Kingdom
Hertford
Loveday Antiques

Originally established in London since 1969, now in its second generation run by Alexander Loveday

03/08/2026

This rare Louis XVI commode, firmly attributed to Claude-Charles Saunier, was crafted in Paris around 1785 and showcases the very finest in neoclassical design. Fashioned from beautifully figured satinwood (bois citronnier) and contrasting amaranth, it is adorned with exquisitely cast gilt bronze mounts and crowned with a Carrara marble top.

With outstanding provenance, remarkable originality and extraordinary craftsmanship, this is a museum-worthy piece by one of the most celebrated ébénistes of the Louis XVI period.

A true collector's piece, where artistry, history and design come together in perfect harmony.

20/07/2026

A timeless Grand Tour icon - https://www.lovedayantiques.co.uk/product/436/19th-century-french-borghese-gladiator-bronze-of-large-scale/

This finely cast, large-scale Borghese Gladiator bronze boasts an exceptional patina and stands proudly on its original veneered marble base. Inspired by one of antiquity's most celebrated sculptures, this French example, dating from c.1830–50, is as striking today as it was to the 19th-century collectors who admired the original in the Louvre.

A remarkable piece with an equally remarkable story.

13/07/2026

A mirror that has reflected nearly 300 years of history - https://www.lovedayantiques.co.uk/product/458/18th-century-george-ii-period-carved-gesso-and-giltwood-mirror-of-excellent-proportions/

This exceptional George II giltwood mirror, dating from around 1730, retains its original Vauxhall soft bevelled mirror plate, a remarkably rare survival. Beautifully carved with a swan-neck pediment, scrolling foliage and intricate gesso decoration, it is a superb example of early Georgian craftsmanship.

A true collector's piece, with timeless elegance and extraordinary presence.

10/07/2026

Sometimes, it’s the curves that make all the difference - https://www.lovedayantiques.co.uk/product/457/george-iii-mahogany-serpentine-tea-table-of-exceptional-colour-and-patination/

This exceptional George III serpentine tea table, dating from around 1780, is a masterclass in Georgian design. With its extraordinary colour, rich patina and beautifully flowing lines, it is a rare piece that would have been made for a discerning 18th-century patron.

A true collector’s piece.

07/07/2026

This extraordinary one-off masterpiece by Amleto Berton (1875–1967) is a celebration of imagination, craftsmanship and the beauty of the natural world - https://www.lovedayantiques.co.uk/product/480/outstanding-italian-carved-wood-polychrome-centre-table-with-onyx-top-by-amleto-bertoni/

Carved in the form of a fantastical vine branch, the polychrome and parcel-gilt frame reveals a world of intricate details, twisting branches, fruiting grapes, leaves, snails, a lizard and delicate dragonflies, all supporting a magnificent onyx top with a striking radial pattern.

Created in Italy in the 1920s–1930s, this Venetian-inspired piece combines the exuberance of Rococo design with the Italian passion for naturalistic carving.
To us, this is not simply furniture; it is a work of art. A piece that transports you somewhere warmer, more magical and entirely imagined — a mythical landscape captured in wood, stone and colour.

A truly unique piece, and one we feel incredibly privileged to have owned.

03/07/2026

A truly exceptional set of four Louis XV ormolu three-branch wall lights, dating to circa 1770 - https://www.lovedayantiques.co.uk/product/497/set-of-four-louis-xv-ormolu-three-branch-wall-lights-circa-1770/

Remarkably rare to find as a complete set, these exquisitely chased and finely gilded wall lights represent the very finest of 18th-century French craftsmanship. Their elegant quiver-form backplates, scrolling foliate branches and classical flaming urn finials embody the refined neoclassical taste that flourished in France during the reign of Louis XV.

Comparable examples were supplied to the Château de Fontainebleau during the First Empire, further cementing their importance within the history of French decorative arts.

A rare opportunity to acquire a museum-quality set that combines exceptional craftsmanship, distinguished provenance and timeless elegance.

29/06/2026

An exceptional and remarkably rare pair of 17th-century Spanish Baroque cabinets, dating to circa 1680 - https://www.lovedayantiques.co.uk/product/445/pair-of-17th-century-spanish-baroque-gilt-bronze-mounted-ebonised-and-tortoiseshell-cabinets-on-stands-1/

Beautifully crafted in ebonised wood with tortoiseshell veneers, gilt bronze mounts and striking architectural façades, these grand-scale Bargueños are masterpieces of Spanish craftsmanship. Open the central doors to reveal an intricate arrangement of drawers, including a cleverly concealed secret drawer, a reminder of the ingenuity and artistry of the period.

It is incredibly uncommon to find a matching pair, making these cabinets a truly special discovery.

Meticulously conserved and presented on bespoke steel stands, these museum-quality cabinets are as impressive for their history as they are for their extraordinary decorative presence.

A once-in-a-generation opportunity to acquire a pair of remarkable Baroque treasures.

26/06/2026

A magnificent pair of large-scale carved walnut Venetian figures, attributed to the workshop of Valentino Besarel (1829–1902).

Rich in theatricality and extraordinary detail, this imposing male and female pendant pair embody the grandeur of 19th-century Venetian carving at its finest. From the finely worked costume and parcel-gilt highlights to the expressive drapery and lifelike stance, every element demonstrates remarkable sculptural skill.
Likely intended as decorative “page figures” for an opulent interior, they sit within a long tradition of Italian theatrical carving—part sculpture, part performance. Full of character, intrigue and presence, they bring a sense of drama to any setting.

With provenance linked by repute to Harvey C. Wheeler of Boston, these extraordinary figures are as historically fascinating as they are visually striking.

22/06/2026

A fine and exceptionally rare George III mahogany table wine cooler, circa 1790 - https://www.lovedayantiques.co.uk/product/496/george-iii-brass-bound-mahogany-oval-table-wine-cooler/

Crafted in finely coopered mahogany and bound with brass bands, this remarkable piece reflects the height of late 18th-century neoclassical design. Its most distinctive feature is the pair of elegant brass Grecian scroll handles, an unusually refined detail more commonly associated with the celebrated design language of the period.

The lift-off top reveals a highly functional interior: copper-lined divisions for bottles alongside a lead-lined compartment designed for ice, allowing wine to be chilled with ease. Thoughtfully constructed, it combines practicality with exceptional craftsmanship.

Table coolers of this type are far rarer than their silver or porcelain counterparts, and even more uncommon than standalone wine coolers or cellarets. Closely related examples have appeared in important collections and auctions, underlining the significance of pieces of this quality and design.

W: 40cm | H: 24cm | D: 22cm

19/06/2026

A rare survival from the golden age of Venetian glassmaking - https://www.lovedayantiques.co.uk/product/498/pair-of-18th-century-venetian-murano-glass-mirrors/

This extraordinary pair of Murano girandole mirrors, created in Venice circa 1730–1750, represents one of the most inventive periods in eighteenth-century decorative arts. Richly adorned with vibrant green glass foliage, delicate polychrome flowers, and engraved scenes featuring characters from the Commedia dell’Arte, they embody the playful elegance and theatricality of the Rococo era.

Produced on Murano, the island synonymous with exceptional glassmaking, these mirrors showcase the remarkable technical skill that made Venetian mirrors coveted throughout Europe. Their combination of etched mirror plates and sculptural three-dimensional glass ornament was a groundbreaking innovation of the period, and surviving examples are exceedingly rare.
While individual mirrors of this type are seldom encountered, surviving pairs are exceptionally uncommon, making this an important and highly significant example of early Murano decorative mirror production.

Venice, circa 1730–1750
Height: 130cm | Width: 72cm

Address

Whempstead Road
Hertford

Website

http://www.lovedayantiques.co.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Loveday Antiques posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your business to be the top-listed Shop in Hertford?