29 April 2024
Douglas Girton
John’s appreciation for heritage and fine craftsmanship, coupled with a keen and discerning eye, saw him travel the length and breadth of Britain throughout his career, sourcing the most exceptional pieces.
We were delighted to be able to offer this fine selection of lots in our forthcoming Five Centuries auction, all curated by John and a testament to his years of experience and ability to spot a ‘good thing’.
John Butterworth, with his loyal wife Mary Goody by his side, set out on his antiques odyssey over fifty years ago. John and Mary originally created JW Butterworth Antiques in the 1960s from the Mill House in Clophill, Bedfordshire, with John traversing the country in search of the best pieces of furniture while Mary ran the showrooms at the Mill. John’s appreciation for heritage and fine craftsmanship, coupled with a keen and discerning eye, kept him focused on fine pieces from the 17th, 18th and early 19th century. He would travel the length and breadth of Britain sourcing the most exceptional pieces, then strap them to the roof of his Morris Minor before setting off for his next destination.
A charismatic storyteller, John has always been generous with sharing his knowledge about the pieces he discovered, while Mary provided a warm welcome to customers who visited the showrooms. The couple made a winning combination and the business evolved and grew, so much so that in 1971 a new name, Reindeer Antiques, was born, accompanied by a move to new premises, a 17th century coaching inn in Potterspury, Northamptonshire.
IN THE MANNER OF PIERRE LANGLOIS, MID 18TH CENTURY
The present commode belongs to a small group of similar pieces that appear to have been made by foreign cabinet-makers working in England during the 1760s and 1770s. The most fully documented of these is the Frenchman Pierre Langlois (fl. 1759-1781) although other emigre cabinet makers such as Christopher Fuhrlogh, Johann Christian Linning and George Haupt were also producing furniture in the same oeuvre at this time.
£8,000 - £12,000 + fees
The business continued to flourish, no doubt through the couple’s hard work and enthusiasm, and in 1988 Reindeer Antiques expanded further, this time to London, opening a landmark shop at 81 Kensington Church Street, long known as a destination for art and antiques. For over thirty-five years Reindeer Antiques has occupied a coveted corner location there, albeit more recently with a new owner. In recent years John and Mary desired to enjoy the life they had created together and to step back from the daily running of the business. John has continued to buy and sell in a more informal fashion, and had the great pleasure in seeing his daughters Jane and Laura embark on their own adventure in the family business.
18TH CENTURY
£2,500 - £3,500 + fees
After a long and rewarding career, John and Mary have now made the decision to close this chapter of their life and focus their attentions on family and other ventures. We are delighted to be able to offer the following lots for sale at auction, all curated by John and a testament to his years of experience and ability to spot a ‘good thing’.
Selling fine antique furniture from across Britain and Europe has always been at the core of our business, ever since Lyon & Turnbull’s establishment in 1826. Today, our Furniture Department conducts four specialist Five Centuries auctions throughout the year in our beautiful Edinburgh saleroom and via live online.
