Steven Swann Antiques

Steven Swann Antiques Curated antique furniture and decorative pieces, alongside restoration and house clearance services. Based in Hampshire and sourcing throughout the UK.

I've recently happened upon this very fine near pair of Victorian glazed bookcases on cupboards - from seperate houses.I...
16/06/2026

I've recently happened upon this very fine near pair of Victorian glazed bookcases on cupboards - from seperate houses.

I say "near pair" because, whilst clearly related in form and scale, the differences are what make them interesting.

The earlier of the two stands on bun feet and features a single long drawer above the cupboard. The carved doors are distinctly neoclassical, with finely executed swags and acanthus detailing, further echoed in the flanking applied mouldings.

The later piece moves away from that formality. The carving becomes softer, with floral motifs emerging from urns on the cupboard doors, giving it a noticeably more Arts & Crafts character.

It's unusual to find two pieces so close in proportion yet so different in personality.
I can easily imagine them either side of a chimney breast or flanking a doorway, where their scale would help frame a room without dominating it.

As much as I like them together, large pieces have a habit of teaching patience, so they're available individually as well as a pair.





𝐓𝐫𝐲𝐒𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐑𝐒𝐧𝐠 𝐚 π₯𝐒𝐭𝐭π₯𝐞 𝐝𝐒𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭.Antique doesn’t always mean quality, and quality certainly doesn’t only mean antique...
29/05/2026

𝐓𝐫𝐲𝐒𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐑𝐒𝐧𝐠 𝐚 π₯𝐒𝐭𝐭π₯𝐞 𝐝𝐒𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭.

Antique doesn’t always mean quality, and quality certainly doesn’t only mean antique.

And what antique dealer doesn’t get a little weak at the knees when finding a genuinely good pair of just about anything.

These mid-century Homeworthy stands/stools certainly fit the bill - beautifully grained oak veneer laid over a clean plywood substrate, balancing natural material with confident mid-century manufacturing.

A fine pair indeed.

Equally useful as occasional stools or low stands, particularly effective flanking a doorway, fireplace, or shelving arrangement.

π‘πžπœπžπ§π­ 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐒𝐯𝐚π₯𝐬.The last few months have been spent largely behind the scenes - sourcing, restoring, photographing and g...
27/05/2026

π‘πžπœπžπ§π­ 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐒𝐯𝐚π₯𝐬.

The last few months have been spent largely behind the scenes - sourcing, restoring, photographing and gradually adding a substantial run of pieces to the website.

A selection of details from some of the recent additions. More to follow over the coming weeks, alongside a little more from the workshop and day-to-day side of the trade.

Full collection available via the website - link in bio.





I’ve been sitting on these two for a while now… feels good to finally bring this mini project together. What do you thin...
22/04/2026

I’ve been sitting on these two for a while now… feels good to finally bring this mini project together. What do you think?

An early 20th century plate showing the Corinthian order from the Monument of Lysicrates, Athens - mounted in a period gilt and ebonised frame - paired with an early 20th century French Corinthian column stand.

What a pairing. What do you think? And that πŸ’š

I’ve always loved Edwardian display cabinets.Astragal glazing, crossbanded detail, shelves above, drawers below - what m...
14/04/2026

I’ve always loved Edwardian display cabinets.

Astragal glazing, crossbanded detail, shelves above, drawers below - what more could you ask for? This one also has a working lock and a sage green lined interior.

There’s something about opening one and seeing what’s been kept inside.

A straightforward piece, perfect for showing off your knick-knacks...





𝐓𝐑𝐒𝐬 𝐒𝐬 𝐰𝐑𝐚𝐭 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐒𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐑𝐞 π₯𝐒𝐠𝐑𝐭 𝐫𝐒𝐠𝐑𝐭 π₯𝐨𝐨𝐀𝐬 π₯𝐒𝐀𝐞.As you may know, I’ve been working with a DSLR over the past month or so...
10/04/2026

𝐓𝐑𝐒𝐬 𝐒𝐬 𝐰𝐑𝐚𝐭 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐒𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐑𝐞 π₯𝐒𝐠𝐑𝐭 𝐫𝐒𝐠𝐑𝐭 π₯𝐨𝐨𝐀𝐬 π₯𝐒𝐀𝐞.

As you may know, I’ve been working with a DSLR over the past month or so - initially borrowing an older one, and now using my own setup for the first time.

It hasn’t been straightforward. Getting exposure and colour to sit properly has taken more trial and error than I expected. At the time, I was satisfied with the original images (the lower sections). Looking back at them now, they feel heavy and underexposed, and there’s very little of the actual surface and tone coming through.

These are three pieces I’ve ended up photographing twice to get closer to what I was aiming for. Same furniture, same setting but with a slightly better understanding of how to handle the light and the camera.

Still very much a work in progress, but the direction is right. More to come.

Not even a pair, but close enough...Nearish pair of 19th-century stools, one in pine and the other in oak, both of simil...
09/04/2026

Not even a pair, but close enough...

Nearish pair of 19th-century stools, one in pine and the other in oak, both of similar form with pierced carry handles.

The pine example shows heavier wear and deeper colour to the seat. The oak is a little more controlled in its construction, with visible medullary rays and pinned joinery.

Works well as low seating or as simple stands where needed.





This was one I didn’t hesitate on.Early 20th-century solid oak, with carved floral and guillochΓ© detail to the frieze an...
03/04/2026

This was one I didn’t hesitate on.

Early 20th-century solid oak, with carved floral and guillochΓ© detail to the frieze and a more pronounced front leg terminating in a paw foot. The top shows clear medullary figuring.

I’ve always found benches hard to ignore, particularly when the carving leans into classical motifs as it does here. Enough detail to give it interest, without overworking it.

Works naturally as a window or hall bench.





Understated refinement - This was one I didn’t hesitate on.A Victorian mahogany washstand with crisp lines, balanced pro...
02/04/2026

Understated refinement - This was one I didn’t hesitate on.

A Victorian mahogany washstand with crisp lines, balanced proportions, and well-aged colour. Twin drawers, a shaped gallery, and slender turned legs with tulip detail.

I’ve been working through the move to a DSLR setup. It’s far less forgiving than a phone and has taken some adjustment, but I’m starting to get a better handle on light and colour. This one feels like progress.

A straightforward piece, easy to place as either a dressing or writing table.





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