Ercol Wardrobe

Although the modern fashion is for walk in wardrobes not every home suits that style and a wardrobe is a must. It thats the case then this is a must have wardrobe because it is made by Ercol and made from solid elm and is perfect in every detail and made to last a lifetime with elegant classic style. It has already stood the test of time and looks perfect inany environment whether the decor is period or modern its classic lines and craftsmanship just ooze quality that you never get tired of.

Afghan War Rug

Much as I hate to call this item a rug it seems its the common parlance for such items. I always associate a rug with something you wipe your feet on whereas a carpet is altogether something which should be walked on with clean feet or clean houseshoes. This carpet is one of the latter and by a quirk of fate will become an extremely valuable historical artifact because of its subject matter its place in the genre and it traditional style.  The three factors combined make this highly desireable for the collectors of "war rugs".  The origin of the war rug in its modern form dates back to the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in 1979 and their ten year ordeal. The high rate of injuries caused by modern weaponry meant that many male fighters were injured and subsequently those not able to fight or do hard work took on the traditional role of women, who had previously been the makers of carpets.  This change in the tradional workforce was reflected in the subject matter of the designs depicting scenes of occupation or battle either as a political statement or as a work of art history.  Early items were made inside the country and typically show helicopters tanks and cars.  Later carpets feature the AK47 and more obvious pictorial elements of war its polity and gore. After 2001 the twin towers were often featured on carpets and were overtly political for the foreign market. Later obvious motifs of war and subjugation are often poor in detail, materials and dyes and as such have little intrinsic value as long lasting carpets. Original 1980's carpets however are both rare and collectible as they show the distinct trasition using traditional colours dyes and materials of traditional patterns to the "war rug" genre and as such are the most highly prized. Calgary University has a fine collection of War rugs and these early examples are the start of a tradion which is now ongoing with a distinct branch of its own in the world of carpet collection.  We are very pleased to have secured one of these very early and rare carpets which is on display and on sale at our shop in Edinburgh. It is in good condition and measures 1.4m x 85cm and features a line of military traffic we assume to be leaving the city.

My weight is waisted

Fairbanks scales the real thing excelent for wait watchers and on lookers.  These were made by the famous American company Fairbanks for the health industry 55 years ago when the average American was 9-12 stones. They are floor standing with a stand on platform maximum capacity a mere 300 pounds or just under 21.5 stones. How times have changed but it was worth the weight.

Hand Knotted Wool/Silk Carpet

A genuine carpet is a real luxury it is beautiful, soft, intricate and yet can last for several lifetimes without much bother.  These items were originally made as family assets with a practical use and a way of displaying wealth. The same is true today but for different reasons much of the symbolism is lost in history and nomadic traditions have intermixed to form broad interpretation of a pattern which in the last few hundred years is designed into a carpet for visual effect with little or no connection to the localised traditional design themes. There has never been a better time to buy a genuine hand knotted carpet and the sooner the better as prices are rocketing. One can find many carpets made in the last twenty years from India and although good are not of the same quality and longevity but they should also last for dozens of decades, The simple fact is that carpets are no longer being made in the traditional way in any great numbers sophisticated carpet machines are replicating in superb detail the traditional patterns and even build in mistakes to preserve the actuality of 250000 knots per metre there are always small mistakes. Machine carpets of a middle eastern design are the norm now but they will never match the strength and finish of a hand made item. Unfortunately these masterpieces of skill design and materials are poorly understood in the west and the tendency for the use of coal fires last century and dirty town environments have taken their toll on some of the finest carpets ever made and shipped to the west in the 19th century. A hundred years of ground in dirt and soot can leave even the best carpet looking brown and when its fashion time out they go and are lost forever.  Remarkably even dirty carpets can be saved with very little effort they need mild soap and careful handling and preferably not at the hands of any commercial cleaner whose main object is quick turnover quick profit. Cleaning an exquisite carpet need not be  expensive, in fact it is very cheap to do, but requires a lot of time. and a few simple tools. We have a range of carpets which are treasured and for sale all having been properly cleaned and ready for use for twenty to thirty  years before needing cleaned again unless drastic accidents intercede. Warm soapy water sponge, feet or fingers and toes a drying area and a squeege are all thats needed no machine or detergents please. We will happily explain the process in detail so you can accomplish the task. This fine example is 90cm x 130cm and will rapidly increase in price over the next few decades this is one to be kept and passed on.

Bent Plywood Chair

Although Scandinavians were not the first to master the art of bending plywood, they are now word leaders in the use of this versatile natural and immensly strong material and make structural beams and forms for buildings, yet have made some of the best looking and practical furniture from this sustainable product. Many school chairs have suffered the abuse of two generations of schoolchildren rocking and testing them to the limits but they still seem to stack up and manage to look acceptable. Plywood is strong sustainable and of course veratile either as flat sheet or formed into shapes which we can sit in comfort on. It is flexible yet not hard and gives enough to make it springy to hold our weight and not collapse or suddenly give way.  It makes a good material for all the above reasons but when give to designers they create beautiful forms which are visually stunning and instantly desireable. This is one such classic design subtly formed to make a most comfortable and elegant chair which you never tire of. Minimalist and functional come in and have a sit down.

Fender Squier Strat

Nice example of a vintage Strat made by Fender in Korea a few blemishes on the back ( buckle wear) lovely neck and nice action. Missing whammy bar nice vintage sound.

Binoculars

These binoculars are in good condition the saratoga 8 x 40 have been extensively used but are still in first class optical condition. Both have very good quality optics and at a great price. Both with leather cases.

8 x 40

8 x 30

Hand Knotted Wool/Silk Carpet

A genuine carpet is a real luxury it is beautiful, soft, intricate and yet can last for several lifetimes without much bother.  These items were originally made as family assets with a practical use and a way of displaying wealth. The same is true today but for different reasons much of the symbolism is lost in history and nomadic traditions have intermixed to form broad interpretation of a pattern which in the last few hundred years is designed into a carpet for visual effect with little or no connection to the localised traditional design themes. There has never been a better time to buy a genuine hand knotted carpet and the sooner the better as prices are rocketing. One can find many carpets made in the last twenty years from India and although good are not of the same quality and longevity but they should also last for dozens of decades, The simple fact is that carpets are no longer being made in the traditional way in any great numbers sophisticated carpet machines are replicating in superb detail the traditional patterns and even build in mistakes to preserve the actuality of 250000 knots per metre there are always small mistakes. Machine carpets of a middle eastern design are the norm now but they will never match the strength and finish of a hand made item. Unfortunately these masterpieces of skill design and materials are poorly understood in the west and the tendency for the use of coal fires last century and dirty town environments have taken their toll on some of the finest carpets ever made and shipped to the west in the 19th century. A hundred years of ground in dirt and soot can leave even the best carpet looking brown and when its fashion time out they go and are lost forever.  Remarkably even dirty carpets can be saved with very little effort they need mild soap and careful handling and preferably not at the hands of any commercial cleaner whose main object is quick turnover quick profit. Cleaning an exquisite carpet need not be  expensive, in fact it is very cheap to do, but requires a lot of time. and a few simple tools. We have a range of carpets which are treasured and for sale all having been properly cleaned and ready for use for twenty to thirty  years before needing cleaned again unless drastic accidents intercede. Warm soapy water sponge, feet or fingers and toes a drying area and a squeege are all thats needed no machine or detergents please. We will happily explain the process in detail so you can accomplish the task. This fine example is 90cm x 130cm and will rapidly increase in price over the next few decades this is one to be kept and passed on.