Home to over 40 galleries, Kensington Church Street remains one of the most culturally important streets in London.  Situated in between Notting Hill Gate and Kensington, this London Street comprises more art and antiques shops than any other destination in the UK. This summer the galleries are opening their doors and inviting visitors to discover, peruse and buy from a stunning array of works of art and specialist exhibitions all timed to coincide with London’s peak art season, Thursday, 20 May to Wednesday, 30 June  2010.

The Street remains unparalleled for the range and high quality of pieces available from fine Chinese porcelain to important English furniture, from claret jugs to contemporary art and long case clocks to 20th century artists’ jewellery. There is something to suit every taste and budget. 

Established collectors and novice buyers alike will be tempted by the fine quality and eclectic pieces for sale at the heart of London’s prime residential area, Kensington and Chelsea. Come and discover Kensington Church Street and be certain that you will not return home empty handed.

Highlights include 

From Mace to Maples – The Art of the Cabinet at Butchoff Antiques

A remarkable exhibition devoted to one of history’s most highly prized pieces of furniture - the cabinet - will be presented by Butchoff Antiques gallery from 20 May – 26 June 2010 at 154 Kensington Church Street, London W8. Timed to coincide with the height of the London season, the exhibition will chart over 250 years of the finest cabinet making throughout Europe by widely recognised makers from Jean Macé to John Maples.

One of the star pieces of the show is undoubtedly the rediscovered masterpiece, The Hausburg Cabinet 1840-57, a significant piece of 19th Century cabinet making, by little known cabinet makerakeker Friedrich Ludwig Hausburg (1817-1886). The cabinet standing at just 45cm high and 38cm wide is a marvel of craftsmanship representing a plethora of royal palaces and churches. Constructed in ebony the cabinet minutely depicts the elaborate scens of the Cathedral of Rheims,  Westminster Abbey, King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, Kew Palace, the Old House of Lords, Brighton Pavilion, the castles of Windsor, Dover, and Caernarvon and Kenilworth, St Pauls Cathedral, St.James Palace with and The Tower of London to name but a few.

The 21st Century Library – English Antiques in Contemporary Workspace at Patrick Sandberg Antiques

Patrick Sandberg Antiques are championing antiques for contemporary living with a summer exhibition dedicated to The 21st Century Library. The show opens on Thursday, 20 May 2010 and will be held at Patrick Sandberg Antiques, 150-152 Kensington Church Street, London W8 4BN and forms part of Kensington Church Street’s Month of Culture and Heritage (20 May-30 June 2010). 

Highlighting the show is a selection of 18th and 19th century library furniture that while being unashamedly classic, blends extremely well with all the must-have gadgets for the contemporary office or home.  Desks, bureaus and bookcases look equally stylish filled with the latest product from apple or Blu ray as they do filled with leather bound books.  Replacing traditional lighting with chic designer spots and the must have anglepoise will ensure you that your office is practical as well as stylish.  Pen, ink and the typewriter ribbon may have been transformed into a wireless operated laptop, but all continue to be set off by a beautifully crafted and timeless piece of furniture.

Celebrating 300 years of Meissen Porcelain at David Brower Antiques

An exhibition dedicated to some of the most impressive and important works of 19th century Meissen porcelain on the market today takes place at specialist dealers, David Brower Antiques, 113 Kensington Church Street, London W8 7LN.  The exhibition will be held from 3rd June to 30th June 2010, with a preview event on the 2nd June heralding Meissen’s 300th anniversary.  It coincides with international celebrations and is also conveniently timed with the major art and antiques fairs in London’s busiest month.

Of particular importance is an impressive pair of topographical vases by Ernst Leuteritz, they are one of the most important and valuable works of 19th Century Meissen porcelain available on the market today. Standing at 61cms high and produced in 1870, the vases show two different scenes of Dresden rendered in exquisite detail, a view of Pilnitz and a view of Schloss Weesenstein.  Born in 1818, Ernst Leuteritz joined the factory in 1836 as an apprentice and by 1843 he was engaged as a modeller. He first created the design for these vases in 1856 and in 1862 they were selected as one of the key pieces at the World Exhibition held in London. 

Be ‘At Home’ at the Reindeer Antiques and Jason Sandeberg Selling Exhibition, of Fine Antique English Furniture and Silver

The show opens on Saturday, 10th until the 26th June and will be held at Reindeer Antiques , 81 Kensington Church Street, London. 

See a selection of stunning long case and bracket clocks from Raffety and Walwyn

A rare and unusually small late 17th century lantern clock with alarm.  

The dial which is beautifully engraved with foliage, has a narrow silvered chapter ring and sword hilt half hour markers. The well wrought steel single hour hand appears to be original.

The engraved and signed dial has a single blued steel hour hand.

Circa: 1680         

Height: 8 inches (20cm)

*Thomas Finch is listed on page 460 of Brian Loomes’ Lantern Clocks & Their Makers as having been made a Free Brother in the Clockmakers Company in March 1677. Finch took Joseph James as an apprentice in March 1679 whilst he was working in St. Martins, London. Finch was last heard of in 1687.