Gothic and Renaissance | Antique Furniture from France

by M. Markley Antiques

Meril & Michael Markley, Owners of M. Markley Antiques

Brown.  It's the new Green.

We have seen the news stories about how no one wants brown furniture anymore.  But for anyone who cares about the environment – or what once was called conservation – selecting old brown of the antique variety is an elegant, principled choice.  The carbon footprint of the old brown in our collection is teensy.  It needs only diesel fuel for delivery to our customers, where it will thrive in whatever comfort zone it inhabits without the need to adjust a thermostat.  No rain forest saplings were felled for constructing old brown.  The wood is centuries old, solid, and the resulting furniture lacks particle board or OSB with off-gassing bonding agents.  Holding together the elements of old brown are tongue-and-groove joinery, instead of nails or screws, and bio-degradable natural glues rather than synthetic adhesives.  To be treasured most of all is the talent and ingenuity that went into fashioning old brown.  Nineteenth century designers and artisans created it all by hand.  While their names may be lost to history their output merits preservation.  Old brown celebrates French craftsmen, with the confidence that they too would embrace... Brun.  C'est le nouveau vert.

This week's featured item...

Click on photo to learn more

Item 4107 - Antique Gothic Style Buffet Cabinet

(France, circa 1890 - $4,875)

We ship to destinations all over the U.S. and use  Plycon Transportation Group exclusively.

These pros blanket-wrap and seal everything at our warehouse, bring it to your location, and place it just where you want it.

Antiques in need of repair or restoration?

We rely on Woodwork by George

Join us each quarter for this luncheon series at the crossroads of culture and commerce in Houston.

Our first luncheon of 2019 (on March 21) featured Conrad Johnson of AWI Wines, telling us how he went from auditor of public companies to maker of award-winning wines from Argentina.  It was held at Chef Soren Pedersen's in Houston.

On September 19, 2018, we had our first luncheon in The Woodlands, featuring Andrew White of the Verreaux Collective (chamber music exclusively for The Woodlands).

Although most furniture is sold to individuals, some of our pieces have had starring roles in the following:

Meril Markley's articles on European travel in the Newsletters of the Wine Society of Texas (Greater Houston Chapter) have their own page where you can download excerpts or the complete set.  You can also download our Paris Guide for experiencing the City of Light -- whether for the first time or as a seasoned pro.

Click on Photo for European Travel Articles

While researching French antique furniture we happened upon the story of the first modern corporations dating back to the 14th century in France.  Click on the photo to learn more about these commercial pioneers and the corporate governance system that ensured their company's survival for 600 years.  You can also download Meril's presentation from an international law conference in Rome, Italy sponsored by McGeorge School of Law.

Like the Paris antique dealers whose dogs are central to their business, we have had Mischa and Margaux, shown resting up after a busy day at M. Markley Antiques.  Click the photo to learn more.

M. Markley Antiques is based in The Woodlands, Texas

About French Gothic Revival Furniture

About French Renaissance Revival Furniture

Terms Governing all Sales and Arrangements for Delivery

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