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Antiques in Pairs: everything you need to know
Posted by Chris on 05/04/2024
Do you think you know what is meant by an ‘original’ pair? You might actually be surprised to find that it’s not quite what you thought!
And how difficult could it possibly be to find an original pair of antiques?!
Answers to both of these questions are explored by Antiques.co.uk Founder and global art consultant Iain Brunt.
This is everything you need to know about antiques in pairs.
What are ‘pairs’ of antiques?
You’d not be blamed for thinking that you know this already. But – ‘pairs’ of antiques are not always the same – what’s much more important to their definition as a pair is that they should complement each other.
For example, the throne chairs of kings and queens are usually not the same, but they are a pair. They could be the same for other reasons, but often they aren’t.
This impressive pair of Victorian oak throne chairs is a great illustration of that.
They’re an original pair – as you can see, they complement each other. If they didn’t complement each other, they would just be two of the same item. Any antiques dealer trying to sell identical pieces as a pair would be wrong.
That’s why it’s important that you really scrutinise any antiques being sold in pairs. It’s much harder to find original pairs than you might imagine.
Above: Pair of Oak Throne Chairs, £1,190 / $1,505
What I love about pairs
What I love about pairs is symmetry, and especially in larger spaces, symmetry is really important.
For example, in a large hallway, one lamp standing by itself wouldn’t adequately fill the space – you’d really need a pair of them. The same might go for benches - here's a great example of a pair of large Kinross House benches that would really complement each other in a large hallway.
Above: Pair of Kinross House benches, £2,750 / $3,475
There is a company called Pairs Antiques – and it could be yours
In my early days of antique dealing I set up and opened a company called Pairs Antiques, which, funnily enough, specialised only in pairs of antiques!
At the time, it was heralded as a brand new innovation, and was much celebrated in the antiques world. So, when you see pairs of antiques being marketed, my company was at the very forefront of that.
Currently I’m looking to sell this company to any budding entrepreneur, as I now specialise in our online business, Antiques.co.uk
Above: Pair of Bedside Lockers, £600 / $759
Collecting antiques in pairs: what to know
Collecting pairs takes patience – ask any interior designer! Nearly every interior designer I know needs pairs.
The most obvious antiques in pairs to collect are mirrors, chairs and side tables. This is a lovely little pair of bedside lockers.
You also won’t go far wrong with this pair of Chippendale revival mirrors, and these George I style gilt wood chairs would look good in a hallway or dining room.
I also really rate this spectacular pair of Louis XV console tables, which would suit any Interior design projects. Also these Serpentine commodes are particularly lovely.
Above: Pair of George I style gilt chairs, £3,650 / $4,617
Pairs of antique paintings
My speciality is paintings (ed: read about Iain’s experience as an art and antiques dealer)
This pair of oak framed mirrors are lovely – but what's an important fact about them, which you may not have spotted?
Given up yet?!
The answer is that they should actually be shown the other way around. The flowers and butterflies should be looking at each other.
Take also these magnificent early 19th century flower paintings – they would be very lonely if hung alone, as they complement each other.
That’s why it’s so important that pairs of antiques complement each other, and aren’t just two of the same item.
To decide whether antiques are a true pair, look for slight variations on each piece. Are they part of a wider scene? Are they designed (like the pair of oak framed mirrors) to be positioned in a certain way, together? Are they exactly the same? (if they are, they're just carbon copies and not a pair!)
Above: Pair of Early 19th Century Paintings, £1,280 / $1,619
Antique pairs – expert’s choice
Some final suggestions of pairs - this pair of 1920s Georgian bookcases really do complement each other and would look wonderful in a drawing room or hallway.
This pair of ormolu and painted candelabra would add a touch of high opulence to any room.
Perhaps not everyone's cup of tea, but this pair of provincial portraits, circa 1870, is really quite endearing in a primitive sort of way.
And this enchanting pair of Bisque figures, where each piece is different - they complement one another.
Interested in becoming the new owner of Pairs Antiques?
So, happy hunting! If you’re interested in taking the Pairs Antiques business, I’d love to hear from you.
Please do email us at pairs@antiques.co.uk and I’ll respond personally.