eBaywatch, 13/07/26
Category: Buy Secondhand
Trying something different this week. Wood. Lots of wood. No theme beyond that. Just following suggested links and seeing what I find. And the answer is: so much, in so many styles and from so many eras.
So, in no particular order:
This book stand. Could be homemade, might not be. I like that you could also use it as a little book tidy. Flexible is always a plus.
I love these ladder-back chairs. Solid wood is always good choice. Just ask Michael Marriott. Not sure of the date but the listing says 21st century. They appear to be well put together. I love the square pegs holding pieces in place, or plugging screw holes, Either way, I take this as a good sign of a well-made product. And four chairs for under £50? Admittedly, you’ll need to pay for delivery (if you’re not in Macclesfield), but that still sounds like a good deal.
Staying with chairs, but at a different scale, this apprentice piece is very interesting. Comes with sweet provenance (“A very old circa 1950’s apprentice Chair with built on side table belonged to my late father who was a Master Cabinet Maker.” I assumed it was made by the said late father but perhaps I’m being romantic in my reading-between-the-lines).
Independent of the story, I really like the design. Perhaps someone could reproduce this. Full size, I mean. Obvs.
For comparison, here’s a Victorian equivalent. These examples have made me reconsider my grumpiness towards the Vitra miniatures. I never really saw the point. I’m sure the Vitras are not made by apprentices but at least it feels like there’s a tradition that they’re nodding towards.
I have a soft spot for marquetry pictures. There are loads on ebay from Italy, particularly the Amalfi coast and especially Sorrento, which appears to have been a major centre for this practice. In fact, the Sorrento waterfront is a popular theme, no doubt as souvenirs for visitors.
They can be very kitsch. If that’s your bag, then this one might be for you. It’s from Sorrento too, so you can assure your friends it has artistic or cultural significance. Or something.
Not much to say about this pleasingly dinged up stool. Just gorgeous.
I love stuff like this short stepladder. So flexible. A stool, a plinth, and - obvs - a stepladder. Plus it folds away if you don’t want it as a stool, a plinth etc. Every home should have one.
This bed table caught my eye. Lovely patina. The bed table concept has passed me by until now but this one has me intrigued. Look at the mechanism that locks the legs. So elegantly simple.
And this one! Possibly homemade. It looks like the larger part hinges, probably to prop a book on the raised strip on the edge. Which leaves the smaller part flat for a cuppa and a slice of toast. Really smart. Very nice. (It turns out this split/hinged style is quite common. Who knew?)
Lastly, although I could go on forever, how about this bowl? There are piles of old wooden bowls on ebay. This one is a good archetype, but there are thousands of others, in all manner of styles and vintages. Nearly four thousand, in fact. So there has to be one for you.
That’s it.
Do let me know if you pick up any of these or if there’s anything in particular you’re interested in seeing on eBaywatch.
Happy hunting!
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