Archive 01

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All our stock is old, original, in excellent order and ready for use. We carry no modern or reproductions. We welcome your telephone calls +44 (0)1488 682317 or by email to hofgartner@belowstairs.co.uk for further information on any of the catalogue items or your other requirements or if you have any difficulties ordering through our system.

Online Catalogue > Archive of The Best Items Sold > Archive 01


	Wrought Iron and Timber Slatted Garden Bench Original, quality late 19th century 5ft long blacksmith made wrought iron garden bench with hardwood slats. Three slats are replacements made to suit again in hardwood. The wrought iron supports on this bench are a heavier grade than average and all is in good and working order and would benefit from a fresh coat of paint. 60" long. 31.5" tall at back. Seat to ground at front 16". Feet front to back 24". Click on photo for larger and other views.


	Pair of Segmented Brass Door Handles, 4 pairs available Original, quality pair of late 19th century brass door handles with a segmented front section to the knob and a matching backplate. With a threaded standard square bar and plate adjustment to fit standard rim locks and latches. The backplate has concealed fittings so when mounted, no screws are visible. A super pair of door knobs, the first we have seen. One pair has a very silimar backplate but not identical, otherwise all is complete and in good and working order. Backplates 2" diam. Knobs 2.25" diam. Knobs 2.75" front to back. Price is per pair. Click on photo for larger and other views.


	3 Branch Brass Hat and Coat Hook Original, quality late 19th century cast brass continental hat and coat rack. This super example has a large shaped brass backplate with four countersunk screw holes for wall mounting, two upper curved hat pegs and a single curved coat rack to the lower section. Hat and coat racks and hooks of this form, are typically continental, although this is larger than average. Polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and complete and in good and working order. Backplate 7" x 3". Total 11" tall x 7" wide. 6" front to back. Click on photo for larger and other views.


	Arthur Moss Fireproof Safe Original, quality late 19th century fireproof safe in the original paintwork and with the original brass fittings to the door. The makers' plaque details "Arthur H Moss Gornal near Dudley" and the swinging keyhole cover details "Unpickable Lock". All has been cleaned and lacquered, the lock has been fully overhauled and apart from the lower inner drawer missing, all is complete and in good and working order. Exterior 24" tall x 18" plus 18" front to back. Interior 14" tall over gap from drawer space. Interior 12" x 12" front to back. Click on photo for larger and other view.


	Butlers Crown Brewery Stained Glass Panel Original, quality late 19th century / 1900, leaded coloured glass / window panel advertising "Butlers, Crown Brewery Ltd". This unbelievable glazed panel has been reframed for safekeeping. Each variation in colour or white is a separate piece of glass leaded in with the colours depicting flowers and leaves surrounding the central panel of acid etched ruby red and Royal blue glass detailing "Butlers Crown Brewery Limited" in Royal Blue and "trademark" a large crown and "Estd 1781". Some minor cracks to the smaller sections of coloured glass but no glass pieces missing and all in good order otherwise. Frame exterior 34.5" x 27" x 1.25". Visible glass 31.25" x 23.75". Click on photo for larger and other view


	Gold Witches Ball Original, quality late 19th century medium sized spherical shaped gold coloured, glass witches ball. These were originally used to mirror the light around a room in the days when candle, oil or firelight was the only source of light other than naturally through the windows. These objects later acquired their superstitious properties of scaring away evil spirits and witches if you are superstitious. Originally these were free blown and silvered to the inside with an early mercury silvering and a small brass disc and ring were fitted for these to be suspended with. These were made in a huge range of sizes and colours but are not easy to find these old original ones today. A replacement split ring and wire has been fitted otherwise all is complete and in good and working order. 5.5" diam. Click on photo for larger and other views.


	Half Time Manual Hedge Cutter Original, quality 1920's / 30's hand held, manually operated hedge cutter. This clean example appears to be unused for the wooden grips have retained the original varnish and there are no signs of wear to the metalwork. The reverse of the spiked bar is impressed "Code Half Time, Made in England Patent Pending". All has been cleaned and lacquered and is complete and in good and working order. 26" x 8" x 4.5" closed. 36" extended. Click on photo for larger and other views.


	Watson & Co Triple Slate Chalk Board Original, quality late 19th century three-leaf slate writing tablet with the original pine frames and covers. The back and front covers both have fielded panels, the original brass hinges and the original stained and polished finish. The frames are each impressed for the manufacturer "Watson & Co Manchester" and the covers are held closed by the original brass hook and eye. A super example and the first we have seen, in fact, this may well be older than stated. Complete and in good and working order. 9" x 7" x 1.75". Click on photo for larger and other views.


	Multicoloured Glass Rolling Pin Original, quality mid to late 19th century free-blown "Nailsea Glass" all glass rolling pin. This most unusual rolling pin has swags in both red and royal blue on the white glass base, one small air hole to one end and a cut pontil scar to the other. A very colourful example in super condition. Complete and in good order. 13.75" x 1.75" diam. Click on photo for larger and other view.


	Folding Boot Jack with Fittings Original, quality late 19th century folding mahogany boot jack with brass mounts and fully fitted with a pair of steel folding boot pulls, one with a leather punch and the other with a button hook. One brass hinge is impressed "P.M & Co Patent". Could this be for "Pearl & Co" a manufacturer of similar items ? The brass has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and all is complete and in good and working order. Open 12.25" x 4.25" x 7/8". Closed 12.25" x 2 1/8" x 1.75". Click on photo for larger and other views.


	Marble Mortar Original, quality mid to late 19th century Marble Mortar as used by apothecaries and chemists when grinding medicines and remedies and also in the larger kitchens for grinding down herbs and spices. This example is well weathered and covered in lichen and does have a chip to one of the "ears", otherwise complete and in good and working order. 8" tall x 18.5" top diam including ears. Inner top diam 11" plus 6" deep. Click on photo for larger and other views.


	R. Bates Small Box Iron Original, quality early 19th century small cast iron box iron with the original turned fruitwood handle, rear lifting gate and the original heating slug. The rear gate is detailed for the manufacturer "R. Bates" and all is complete and in good order and cleaned and lacquered. 4.5" tall x 2.25" x 3.25". Click on photo for larger and other views.


	Leather Medicine Ball Original, quality late 19th century stitched leather-covered, melon-shaped medicine ball with eight panels as used for exercise. This well waxed example has a small tear to one panel but otherwise all is complete and in good order. An unusual find. 11" tall. 13" diam. Click on photo for larger and other views.


	Set of 4 Matching Servants Intercom Bells Original, quality set of four late 19th century servants' intercom bells of an unusual form. These are the first we have seen of this design and each has a cast bell of a different tone for room recognition, the original steel springs and replacement central brass boss and a circular brass backplate for mounting. For use with a tight wire, non-electrical bell system and can be pulled from either left or right. Other parts required to operate this system are usually available in stock. Many other bell fittings of differing types may also be available. The ironwork has been repainted, and the brass polished and lacquered. All is complete and in good and working order. Backplates 7.5" to 10.5" long. Central boss & brass backplate 2" diam. Approx 9.5" wide. 3.5" front to back. Price is for the set. Click on photo for larger and other views.


	Advertising Letter Opener Original, quality pre-war chrome plated letter opener with a double-sided hand to one end with a circular magnifying next and a pointed letter opener blade detailed to both sides. One side has a 6" ruler and "Suter Hartmann & Rahtjen's Composition Co. Ltd" and the other "Anti Fouling & Anti Corrosive Paints For All Purposes". All has been cleaned and is complete and in good and working order. 9.25" x 1.25". Click on photo for larger and other view.


	Brass Rings Photograph Frame Original, quality 1920's small brass photo frame fashioned with brass rings and a folding easel-type backstand. Replacement glass has been cut to suit and an old photograph is included. Polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost. Complete and in good and working order. 5.25" x 3.5" x 0.5" front to back. Will take photo 2.5" x 4". Click on photo for larger and other views.


	Pair of Brass Sphinx Fire Dogs Original, quality pair of mid to late 19th century large cast brass continental fire dogs in the form of a pair of Sphinx. This stunning pair are of great detail and colour showing much of the original patination but would polish to a shiny brass on request for no extra cost. One can only wonder what a matching set of fire irons and fender looked like. Nevertheless, this pair of dogs is complete and in good and working order. 10.25" tall x 4.5" x 11.5" front to back. Click on photo for larger and other views.


	Wrought Iron Exterior Bell Pull Original, quality post-war wrought iron exterior 'down' bell pull with a twisted rod on a decorative backplate, an open fretted cast iron pull grip and the original top externally mounted, wrought iron return spring mounting with strong replacement springs. All has been cleaned, undercoated and top coated with black paint and is complete and in good and working order. Backplates 6.5" x 2.75". Bell pull 24" long. Including 6" x 1.75" grip. Click on photo for larger and other views.


	Set of 4 Brass and Cow Horn Castors Original, quality set of four matching 18th or early 19th century brass and cowhorn furniture castors. These very unusual castors, the first we have seen, have pressed and turned wheels in cowhorn. The central pin is in steel but the cover is in brass as are the shoulders. These show little if no signs of use and are great lookers as well as the best to use. Polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and complete and in good and working order. Wheels 1.25" diam. 0.75" wide. Total 3" tall x 2" wide. Price is for the set. Click on photo for larger and other views.


	Set of Mordan Brass Postal Scales Original, quality late 19th century superb set of brass letter scales with a full run of original brass weights. All mounted on the rectangular wooden plinth with the top, veneered with coromandel. The beam of this scale is impressed for the maker "S. Mordan & Co London". The weights are all the original with the exception of the one and two ounce ones which are old replacements, the remaining five weights are stamped in a way typical for Mordans "OZ 16", "OZ 8", "OZ 4", "OZ 2" and "OZ ½". The wooden base is mounted on four bun feet, the scale pan to the right shows the postal rates for the year 1885 to 1887 and the left pan is detailed "Book Post, one halfpenny for every two ounces up to 5lbs. Fully overhauled, polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and complete and in good and working order. Base 10.5" x 5.5" x 1.25". Total 5.5" tall x 11" x 5.75". Price is for the set. Click on photo for larger and other views.


	Brass Travelling Beam Scale Original, quality late 19th century small brass beam scale as used by apothecaries, or street traders. This super-quality example can be dismantled to fit into the drawer of the mahogany base unit for travel. This all original example has a selection of weights that came with it, stored in the corner of the drawer and in the base and has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost. All has been fully overhauled and is complete and in good and working order. Total assembled 14.5" tall. Base 9.75" x 5". Scale beam 7". Click on photo for larger and other views.


	Silver Mounted Glass Matchstriker Original, quality 1920's spherical shaped clear glass matchstriker with a hallmarked silver top rim and decorative vertical line detail. Complete and in good and working order. 2.75" tall x 3" diam. Click on photo for larger and other view.


	Tin Top Hat Money Box Original, quality pre-war tin money box in the realistic form of a Top Hat. The front is transfer printed "College" with an illustration of a boy in a top hat and tie, all on a black background. The underside has a circular lift-out cover with a coin slot and is printed "W.M. Livens & Co Ltd Newcastle Upon Tyne. Some minor scratches and rubbing, otherwise complete and in good and working order and the first we have seen. 4" tall plus brim 7" x 5.5". Body only 3.75" x 4.5". Click on photo for larger and other views.


	Pair of Brass Door Handles See our "Door Handles, " section for current stock of similar items. Original, quality pair of late 19th century spherical shaped cast brass door knobs of an unusual form. The flattened front has a swirl twist around the central boss. This pair has a threaded standard square bar and grub screw adjustment system to fit both mortice and rim locks and latches and replacement brass backplates made to suit. Each backplate has three countersunk screw holes for mounting. A great looking pair of quality door handles. Complete and in good and working order. Backplates 2.25" diam. Knobs 1.75" diam. 2.25" total front to back. Click on photo for larger and other view.


	Pair of Nickel Plated Door Handles, 2 pairs available See our "Door Handles, Knobs & Pulls" section for current stock of similar items. Original, quality late 19th century pair of very decorative, nickel plated on pink and yellow brass, door handles. With a threaded standard square bar and grub screw adjustment system to fit standard mortice locks and latches. The face of the knob and backplate have a well detailed design of radiating acanthus leaves and each backplate has six concealed countersunk screw holes for mounting. The nickel plate is well worn overall and reveals the brass bleeding through. All is complete and in good and working order. Another pair of very similar door knobs may well be available ref code: DH621 Backplate 2.75" diam. Knob 2.5" diam. Knob front to back 2.25". Price is per pair. Click on photo for larger and other view.


	Pair of Large Brass Hat and Coat Hooks See our "Coat Hooks & Coat Racks" section for current stock of similar items. Original, quality pair of matching large cast brass hat and coat hook. This pair, larger than average examples have oval shaped backplates each with four countersunk screw holes for mounting and super turned finials to the hooks. Polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost. Backplate 3" x 2". Total 8" tall. 4.5" front to back. Click on photo for larger and other view.


	Cast Iron Door Security Chain See our "Door Bolts, Cabin Hooks & Security Chains" section for current stock of similar items. Original, quality late 19th century cast iron door security chain fitting with a gothic design. This larger than average example has decorative mounting plates to the slot section with five countersunk screw holes and the fixing plate for the wrought iron chain has two. All has been cleaned and lacquered and is complete and in good and working order. Slotted backplate 12" x 4.5". Chain backplate 4.5" x 2.5". 12" chain. Click on photo for larger and other view.

Online Catalogue > Archive of The Best Items Sold > Archive 01