Where to find furniture during Second Hand September
20 September 2022 Are you looking for some statement pieces to add to your interior this month? It’s Second Hand September, making auctions an ideal place to buy.
This Chinese hardwood cabinet or wardrobe features circle nickel or brass hardware. The doors open to reveal a dark interior with two drawers with brass handles. It has an estimate of £300-600 at the September sale of US auctioneer Revere Auctions.
These days shopping smart means finding a way to buy that is kind to both people and the planet. In 2019, Oxfam launched Second Hand September, which encourages people to buy only second-hand items for 30 days in the month of September.
Practical, individual and often surprisingly cheap, antique furniture represents a green alternative to the short lifespan of newly-made ‘flatpack’ furniture. Whether you want a wardrobe, chest of drawers, dining table, coffee table or chairs you can find what you want on The Saleroom, as the best antique pieces being auctioned every week are pulled together in one easy-to-use marketplace.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised how beautiful ‘buying antique can be – browse antique wardrobes, drawers and chests here.
Looking for something a little softer? Explore vintage and pre-loved textiles.
Something for the kitchen or living room might be this large green corner cabinet, which dates to the 18th century. It is estimated to take £300-600 at Cheffins Fine Sale of September 21-22.
Pia Manu is a Belgian sculptor and designer related to the Flemish brutalists. This signed Coffee Table, c.1960, is very much in the Pia Manu style and, comprising gold glaze tiles and ceramics on patinated metal feet. It goes under the hammer at Flanders Auctions’ Auction 10 of September 21-22 with an estimate of £12,000-15,000.
Expected to take between £500-800, this George III mahogany serpentine chest is part of the Oxford Library Sale from Mallams on September 22-23.
Featuring a solid travertine top and gilt leaf metal frame, this Luxor side table was a sample product and is now on offer at Pro Auction Limited, in its auction of September 26-27. It has an opening price of £240.
There are various ways to incorporate textiles into the home. One way is by presenting them as framed artworks. This Georgian late 18th or early 19th century silkwork embroidery picture of an exotic bird in a tree, dating to c.1780. It has an estimate of £100-200 at Mallams Oxford Library Sale on September 22-23.
A more recent version of a framed textile can be seen in a Liberty London ‘Sissy’ fabric designed by Grayson Perry. McTear’s offers it with an estimate of £200-400 in its Scottish Contemporary art auction of September 29.
Don’t forget – the ‘textiles’ category is broad. If you’re keen to avoid the trend towards fast fashion, why not snap up a couple of vintage statement pieces, such as these two 1990s Jean Paul Gaultier jeans dresses in jersey fabric. They go under the hammer at Hansons’ upcoming fashion and textiles auction on September 29, where they have an estimate of £140-180 together.