Robert Young Antiques

Authenticity, integrity, well drawn lines, classical or engaging proportions, bold silhouettes, interesting texture, original surface, historic paintwork, untouched patina, sculptural form, charm, a certain individuality of spirit and the occasional touch of eccentricity are the qualities to be found in the pieces we most admire and cherish at Robert Young Antiques.

Established in 1977, Robert and Josyane Young have dedicated 30 years to identifying, sourcing and displaying prime antique and vintage items of largely country and provincial origin. They passionately believe that examples of great merit, on almost any scale, have the quality to be compatible with and to compliment both traditional and contemporary interiors, in both rural and urban locations.

Robert Young trained at Sotheby’s and left to start on his own in 1975. Two years later he met Provencale born decorator Josyane (Née Pierard) fresh from the Fine and Decorative Arts course at The Victoria and Albert Museum, and a truly creative partnership was born. They opened their now established and internationally acclaimed gallery in Battersea in 1978, pioneering a particular style of innovative and atmospheric display and grew to become London’s leading specialist partnership in fine British and European Country Furniture and Folk Art. Items from Robert Young Antiques are frequently illustrated and featured in Antiques and Interior Design related periodicals, in authoritative works on Country and Vernacular Furniture, Treen and Folk Art and in the Miller’s Antiques Guide books.

We carry a wide variety of pieces from various British and European origins. Pieces from hand thrown terracotta flowerpots through carved clothes pegs, decoy birds, Windsor chairs, weathervanes, hand woven baskets, naïve and primitive paintings, turned wooden bowls, goblets and platters, historic trade signs, tavern furniture, wonderful painted commodes, wedding chests, rushlight nips and early candleholders, dug out chairs, serving dressers, consoles and dining tables, chairs, settles and stools. Whether humble or functional, of interest to collectors or of investment/museum quality, each piece is carefully examined, considered and judged to the same exacting standards prior to selection. We like to source the best examples we can so that we can offer the best available.

Robert and Josyane Young are both individually elected members of the BADA (British Antique Dealer’s Association) and Robert Young Antiques is a corporate member of BIDA (British Interior Design Association). Robert chairs the Country Furniture and Folk Art Vetting Committee for the Fine Art and Antiques Fair at Olympia, London and serves on the specialist vetting committees at Grosvenor House Antiques Fair, the Chelsea Antiques fairs, ‘Antiques for Everyone’ at the NEC in Birmingham, the standards committee for the Harvey’s Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fairs and the San Francisco Fall Antiques Show.

Robert wrote ‘Folk Art’, published by Mitchell Beazley in 1999 and co-wrote ‘Treen for the Table’, published by the Antique Collector’s Club with Dr. Jonathan Levi in 1998. He has also written various articles for The Antique Collector, Antique Collector’s Club magazine and Miller’s Antique Guides, for whom he is a specialist consultant.