M. Markley Antiques
Gothic & Renaissance

To see Michael Markley quoted in the

 click here.

M. Markley Antiques is the only U.S.-based dealer in French antique furniture concentrating on the Gothic Revival and Renaissance Revival styles.  This has allowed us to offer the widest array of pieces to buyers  who prize these styles and to procure the most interesting and unique items as they become available in Europe.  Because enthusiasm in the U.S. for Gothic Revival has outpaced the publication of scholarly materials, we have dedicated our website to expanding and enhancing the resources available in English on the 19th century revival in France of  Gothic and Renaissance design.  Click Stylistic Origins for a more complete discussion of this collection.

Our objective is to convey the affection and admiration we feel for these anonymous geniuses who studied and interpreted the magnificent furniture of an earlier time and whose products, once brand new, have become treasured antiques in their own right.  Making this furniture available to collectors in the U.S. has been a labor of love and offering it on the Internet has brought us into contact with collectors from all over the world.  And so we invite you to visit and enjoy the Château des Bois Collection^TM and immerse yourself in creating your own Romantic Interior.

Cordialement,

Michael  & Meril  Markley

To visit our online tribute to Margaret Benjamin (Meril 's Mom), click here.


 

To visit an online tribute to one of the great voices of the 20th century, Hilde Rössel-Majdan, click here.
 

Like the Paris antique dealers whose dogs are central to their business,
M. Markley Antiques has Mischa and Margaux.  Click the photos to learn more about them.  
      

  We recommend works by our friends...

Escape into Danger, Sophia William's compelling tale of survival and hope amidst the chaos of World War II, in her own words, has been published by Rowman & Littlefield and is available from Barnes and Noble as well as Amazon.

We recommend it highly, but also suggest setting aside a block of time to read it because you will not be able to put it down!

Moss Bluff Rebel by Philip Caudill is described more fully at mossbluffrebel.org and is available from Barnes & Noble as well as Amazon.

Drawn from William Berry Duncan's own diaries and contemporary documents, Phil Caudill tells Duncan's story masterfully while evoking the hardships endured and overcome by Texan soldier-entrepreneurs during the Civil War and Reconstruction.  

 Working with Americans by Allyson Stewart-Allen and Lanie Denslow is also available from Amazon in the U.S. and the U.K.

The world of international business is a funny place.  We knew Allyson and Lanie separately when we lived in Los Angeles and not until the book was published did we learn they knew each other.  An indispensable manual for anyone thinking about an investment in the U.S., Working with Americans is a great way for Americans to learn how the rest of the world see us and how to use that to our advantage in international business.

Worldwise by Lanie Denslow is available from Amazon.com.

The book is an essential tool for success in international business, in addition to being a fascinating read.  We've known Lanie for over twenty years and never cease to marvel at her expertise and creativity when it comes anticipating what can go wrong in international business due to a failure to anticipate differences in culture.

Rosso Fiorentino by Eugene A. Carroll is available from Amazon.com.

The book, running close to 400 pages, is the definitive catalog for an exhibition in 1987 at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC of drawings, prints, and decorative arts created by Rosso Fiorentino.  This important Italian spent much of his career in France where his influence on the Castle at Fontainbleau is still on view today.  For more about Eugene Carroll and his influence on M. Markley Antiques, click here.

Modernism by Christopher Wilk is available from Amazon.com.

Admittedly not our favorite era in the history of design, we applaud Christopher for Modernism, this comprehensive catalogue accompanying the blockbuster exhibition in 2008 at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.  For more about Christopher Wilk and his influence on M. Markley Antiques, click here.

CD of Schumann's Dichterliebe with Wolfgang Holzmair available from arkivmusic.com

Wolfgang has made so many wonderful recordings over the years, but this one, "the poet's love," remains our favorite.  The epitome of Lieder singers, Wolfgang's mastery of the music as vehicle for the text, amidst all the subtlety and intimacy of this genre, interprets Schumann as no one else.  Enigmatic, astute, creative, gifted -- apply to composer and artist equally.

DVD of Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) by W.A. Mozart is available from arkivmusic.com.

Our favorite opera featuring the world's leading dramatic colortura soprano, Albina Shagimuratova, is now available.  It captures a recent production at Teatro alla Scala when Albina made her debut there.  If you have not heard Albina sing Queen of the Night, this recording should not be missed.  Or better yet, hear her live, in a new production at San Francisco Opera, June 13 through July 8, 2012.  The brilliance of David Gockley and the artistry of Albina Shagimuratova promise a Zauberflöte for the ages!

Classic in the Barn by Amy Myers is available from Barnes & Noble and Amazon

It is no coincidence that Amy Myers' series of Jack Colby mysteries puts classic cars front-and-center.  Amy is married to Jim Myers, friend of close to 30 years and the ultimate networker, who also happens to collect classic cars   He inspired the character of Jack Colby, who solves murders related to such classics as a Lagonda and drives around Kent in a variety of really cool vehicles.