LONDON.- Ronald Phillips Ltd. is coming to New York’s International Fine Art & Antique Dealers Show October 19 - 25 with what Director Simon Phillips says are, “Probably the best pieces we’ve ever had. I think that people come here because they know what they want and what we are offering. In this business it takes years to make a reputation and name, which we certainly have. While our antiques can become valuable investments, I always tell people not to buy for investment but because they love the piece; if something this beautiful happens to go up in value, it's an added bonus.”

Citing several recent acquisitions as examples, Simon Phillips mentions a pair of exceptional George II Pier Glasses from Elvaston Castle. “These elegant mirrors are attributed to Benjamin Goodison and retain their original oval mirror plates. Their provenance includes the home of the Earl of Harrington as well as Elvaston Castle, and they are really very special.”

Another mirror at the Ronald Phillips (www.ronaldphillipsantiques.com) stand at the International Fair (www.haughtonfairs.com) is from the collection of Cynthia Phipps in North Carolina and its carved giltwood design is attributed to a drawing by Thomas Chippendale. Its crest is an open pagoda with acanthus leaf cresting with cabochon ruffles and a pierced pendant cartouche centre.

“We are also offering for sale in New York a most remarkable pair of Chinese Export ‘Nodding Head’ figures with an interesting provenance. These polychrome-painted clay figures were likely purchased in the 1780s for Sturehof Castle, the summer residence of Count Johan Liljenkrantz (1730-1815) a Swedish cabinet and finance minister. In an inventory report dated 1788 ‘nodding dolls’ are listed ‘in the yellow cabinet.’”

Another top selection is a pair of George III ormolu mounted Adam period tables from Crichel House attributed to Mayhew and Ince, possibly to design by James Wyatt. Also on display is a pair of Chippendale George III Cream painted beechwood armchairs dating to 1770 and a stunning Adam period secretaire bookcase from Sutton Hall, Yorkshire, that Phillips says, “Undoubtedly came from one of the leading workshops in 18th century England.”

Connoisseurs in New York will also recognize the importance of a rare early 18th century parcel gilt Mahogany side table that retains most of the original gilding. It has a distinctive (replaced) 18th century ‘Yellow Sienna’ marble top. It was featured in the 1954 Dictionary of English Furniture as well as Percy Marquoid’s 1906 “A History of English Furniture.”

Ronald Phillips is also offering a magnificent c1775 George III Chinese Export Reverse Mirror Painting with an upright rectangular bevelled plate within the original pearl moulded giltwood frame. “It depicts a Chinese court lady smoking a pipe on an opium bed,” Phillips says. “The same Chinese lady appears in a painting illustrated in Graham Child ‘World of Mirrors’ wearing identical dress and jewellery, and also holding a pipe.”

Ronald Phillips Ltd is one of the world’s finest antique dealers specializing in English furniture ranging from Queen Anne, George I, George II, George III, George IV and the Regency period. The company was founded in 1952 by Simon’s father, Ronald Phillips and is well known to decorators, collectors and museums from around the world at its 26 Bruton Street galleries in London.

Its constantly changing stock is featured in stunning hard cover annual catalogues that cover styles from Rococo and Neo-Classicism to Regency and have included pieces by famous 18th century craftsmen such as Thomas Chippendale, William Linnell, John Linnell, Robert Adam, Matthew Boulton and Thomas Sheraton, Gillows of Lancaster, and John Mclean.

Simon Phillips adds, “Our recent catalogues focus on a specialty of the firm as we are known for having the largest collection of 18th century mirrors and a wide selection of 18th century glass chandeliers, wall lights and decanters - items unmatched in our field.”

Simon Phillips took over the business from his father 16 years ago. He has served as the Chairman at the Grosvenor House Art and Antiques Fair and is one of the founders of Masterpiece London, the luxury art and antiques fair held for the third year this June. The International Fine Art & Antique Dealers Show is the firm’s premier showcase in the United States. Established in 1989, the show attracts some of the world’s top dealers showing exceptional quality works of art from antiquity to the present day including sculpture, bronzes, furniture, carpets and textiles, jewellery, pictures, ceramics and glass. All works are for sale under the strictest vetting conditions.