M. Markley Antiques

Coinciding with the addition of a number of photos and commentaries on Pinterest, we have added a Search function at mmarkley.com and have revised the Stylistic Origins essay to offer more about why we find French Gothic and Renaissance Revival furniture intriguing. We hope you will find these enhancements useful.

More antique detective work...
We have just posted item 5183T, a 19th century barometer with a menacing-looking dragon on top.
https://www.mmarkley.comfrenchantiquedragonbarometer-5183.html
While examining the dragon more closely, we realized it is a copy, on a smaller scale, of the famous dragon mirror by Gabriel Viardot on display at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. What an amazing connection, that the maker of our barometer admired the mirror we adore and have seen so often in Paris.

The fun of antique detective work.
Writing the descriptions of items on M. Markley Antiques involves its share of detective work. For example, we just finished the write-up for sgabello bench 5220.
As we examined the decorative motifs used on this wonderful 19th century example of Renaissance Revival design, we realized that they all related back to Rosso Fiorentino and the innovative frescoes he conceived for the Galerie Francois I at Fontainebleau Castle in 1535. Thanks to Eugene Carroll's website and Xavier Salmon's book, we were able to link specific motifs to elements designed by Rosso that inspired the creator of this bench. https://www.mmarkley.com/chairs/antiquesgabellobench-5220.html.
If you can't travel to France to view the Galerie, at least you can have this wonderful piece in your home to remind you of it.

As we recall the fire of a year ago and the devastation of Notre Dame de Paris, we celebrate the release of Lindsay Cook’s translation into English of Notre Dame Cathedral – Nine Centuries of History by Andrew Tallon and Dany Sandron. We met Lindsay and Andrew on a trip to Vassar College, ten years ago, where I gave a talk about how indispensable an arts education was to a career in international business. We were fascinated by Andrew’s work including the laser scans of cathedrals and the TV show, Building the Great Cathedrals, on PBS’ Nova series. After his untimely death in late 2018, we made a point of visiting Notre Dame de Paris to experience the building again and to enjoy the exhibit Andrew had created about its history. Previous restorations undertaken in the 19th century led to a surge of interest in Gothic style, and its spiritual underpinnings, including creation of the French antique furniture at the heart of our business. We applaud Lindsay for her efforts and for this book, now available on Amazon.

Merry Christmas from M. Markley Antiques where antiques from France are the focus of blessed Christmas gatherings with family and friends.

I am delighted to take over as editor of the quarterly newsletter for the Wine Society of Texas after years of writing columns on European travel connected with our search for the most unique and intriguing items in French Gothic and Renaissance styles.

Just added Table 5303 to the website...a triumph of Renaissance design evoking the spirit of Rosso Fiorentino and the Galerie François I at Fontainebleau Castle.

As the process of restoring Notre Dame de Paris commences, it is interesting to note that the fastion for Neo-Gothic or Gothic Revival furniture in France was sparked by the 19th century restoration of the Cathedral undertaken by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. The French public, including novelist Victor Hugo, brought a bit of the artistry of Notre Dame into their homes by acquiring pieces in this magnificent style. To learn more about this, visit https://www.mmarkley.com/notre-dame-de-paris.html

So many of the pieces we offer have led us down interesting rabbit holes of research such as this dragon mirror in the style of Viardot. While not reflecting literally other dragons, created by Crivelli, Uc***lo, and Hugo, the figurative reflections fill a lifetime.