Fine & Decorative Interiors features six pieces by Timothy Oulton – the design-led, international retailer known for its bold and audacious products combined with a penchant for telling stories. The firm now operates from fifty galleries located throughout the world, and dates from 1976 when Timothy Oulton’s father, Major Philip Oulton, opened a shop, Halo Antiques, in Hale, close to Manchester. The Major’s idea behind the purchase was to generate an income to educate his sons, and Timothy later studied at Ampleforth College, the boarding school founded in the grounds of the ancient Benedictine monastery in North Yorkshire. He identifies the Benedictine philosophy of personal contribution and community as key benchmarks throughout his working life. On leaving school Timothy joined his father’s business and became immersed in antiques, by 1990 he was running Halo Antiques but soon turned his energies to the creation of new furniture in reclaimed timbers and leather. Timothy looked to traditional forms using established techniques, created on a grand, imaginative scale utilising contemporary materials.
The selection includes a pair of glamorous Night Rod pendant lights and a pair of Night Rod table lamps. The Night Rod range took the kaleidoscope as the starting point in the exploration of how the effect of the inside of multiple reflections would act if turned inside out. Long prisms of optical grade glass are held together in a staggered effect within a framework of plated bronze. The triangular shapes of these prisms reflect light all around, so that the whole piece is illuminated rather than there being a single identifiable light source – as is the case in most lights. A third light, the Odeon floor lamp, is a contemporary interpretation of Venetian glass prism lights of the 1960s. Crystals hang in diminishing circles, an arrangement frequently seen in mid-century examples, around a natural unfinished iron pole. The highly reflective crystal and the matt of the iron provide an interesting textural contrast.
The Rev matted steel bookcase plays homage to the machine elements used in the worlds of motorcycling and automotives. Raw steel bears a matt finish and exposed weld marks – indicating the individual craftsmanship which goes into this made to order piece (as are all the other items in this group). In a nod to race cars, the on/off light switch is fashioned as an ignition safety switch and brings an insider sense of humour to this imposing piece. The bookcase would make an eye catching, dramatic statement in any interior.
The Rex round dining table celebrates the Rex cinema, Berkhamsted, designed in the Art Deco style by David Evelyn Nye and opened to the public in 1938. The cinema closed 50 years later and soon became derelict. English Heritage listed the building as Grade II and a local entrepreneur headed a successful campaign to save the cinema which re-opened in 2004. The Third Man, a film made during the cinema’s heyday and with a screen play by Graham Greene, born in Berkhamsted, was shown on the opening night. The original interior of the cinema was designed with many ornate features, scallop shell-shaped light fittings dressed the auditorium and the main screen was surrounded by an ornate proscenium with Art Deco floral designs, partly hiding the ventilation grilles. The cinema refurbishment was sympathetic to the cinema’s Art Deco heritage. The Rex dining table’s frame is in raw iron, and holds over 400 prisms of optical glass creating the effect of shimmer and sparkle.
The Inception mirror takes its inspiration from the infinity mirrors of the 1970s. When illuminated, the Inception mirror reveals a line of reflections from its interior, fading into the distance and appearing ever smaller and smaller. The darker the room the more striking is the impact of the light effects. When unlit, the Inception is a stylish mirror, its frame in thick flat brass.
The Pedestal is excited to present these chic and sophisticated pieces to our existing and new clients. As we continue to add to the makers participating in our online shop, The Pedestal Bespoke, we are thrilled to offer beautifully crafted contemporary items in both auction and buy now formats.
Fine & Decorative Interiors | 23 May 2023
Lighting and furniture by Timothy Oulton (lots 1–6)
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