Consider it the ultimate royal seal of approval: When the young Linley founder, David Linley, made a decorative box as a teenager — a project he’d crafted at Bedales School that impressed his teacher — it was proudly passed around as a cigar box at parties by the Queen Mother. Of course, the royal treatment makes a bit more sense when you consider that the Queen was simply grandmother to the future furniture designer Linley, formally David Albert Charles Armstrong-Jones, second earl of Snowdon, son of Princess Margaret and photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones.
Born in London, Linley was creative from an early age — a characteristic eagerly encouraged at home with his parents and at Kensington Palace with the extended family. After completing his studies in carpentry and design at Parnham House in 1982, Linley set up his first studio. Within three years he had moved to King’s Road in Chelsea and, with his friend painter and designer Matthew Rice, officially cofounded Linley, a source for luxury furniture and accessories and bespoke carpentry and millwork.
The brand was a quick success. When Linley presented its first line at Christie’s in 1985 — a collection of furniture and more called “Venetian,” which was inspired by the Italian city’s grandiose Gothic architecture — the entire lot sold out on the day of its presentation. Besides Linley the brand being a commercial success, Linley the founder was somewhat of a marvel: At the time, the designer was the first of the royal family to undertake any sort of vocational work, let alone establish their own brand.
David Linley’s furniture has become known over the years for its fine craftsmanship, detailed marquetry and inlay and use of rare and exquisite woods. His tables, seating, other furnishings and decorative objects owe consistently to traditional methods and conventions as often as they do clean modernity. The designer has long looked to Chippendale furniture as well as other styles that gained prominence during the 18th century as much as he has toward the future.
Now, in addition to its furniture, accessories and custom millwork, Linley operates an interior design business, outfitting homes (and a few cars and yachts) in the brand’s singularly chic style. And while the company’s output is marked by style, craftsmanship still comes first: “I’m a maker, not a designer,” the earl once proclaimed.
Find a collection of David Linley furniture on 1stDibs.
STUNNING BRAND NEW IN THE BOX ViSCOUNT DAVID LINLEY CUT GLASS CRYSTAL CAVIAR SET
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exquisite brand new in the original box with the original packaging materials, Viscount David Linley Cu...
Crystal
SUBLIME ViSCOUNT DAVID LINLEY STERLING SILVER GENTLEMANS SHOOTING COMPENDIUM
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite, highly collectable Viscount David Linley Gentleman's Shooting Compendium with Edi...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Edwardian Period Sterling Silver-Mounted Claret Jug
By John Sherwood & Sons 1
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian Period, sterling silver-mounted hobnail cut claret jug having a hinged lid, Birmingham, England, year-hallmarked for 1908, John Sherwood and Sons - makers. Lovely, graceful...
Sterling Silver
$1,046 / set
H 1.58 in Dm 5.4 in
Set of 2 New Old Stock Murano Opaline Glass Shell Bowl by Cenedese, 1960s
By Cenedese
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano opaline bowl set of 2 Design: Gino Cenedese Producer: Cenedese Vetri (marked underneath the vase) Origin: Murano, Italy Decade: 196...
Murano Glass
$2,697Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.24 in Dm 7.49 in
Lalique Crystal Caviar Cup, Marine Animal Base, France, 20th Century
Located in Milano, IT
Crystal caviar cup with shaped base in the shape of three marine animals. Inside, satin cup on metal support and lid with fish-shaped grip. Brand of the man...
Crystal
$895
H 5 in W 8.25 in D 8.25 in
Tiffany & Co. "Louis Comfort Tiffany Collection" Art Deco Cut Crystal Bowl
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Art Deco style cut crystal bowl By Tiffany & Co., "Louis Comfort Tiffany Collection" USA, Circa Late 20th Century Measures: 8.25"W x 8.25"D x 5"H. Very good original v...
Crystal
Sterling Silver Coasters
Located in New York, NY
A set of three (3) sterling silver and glass cocktail coasters, circa early-20th century. Coasters are sterling silver with small bead detail around, atop a glass base with starburst...
Sterling Silver
Malcolm Appleby Shooting Companion
Located in London, GB
The Malcolm Appleby Shooting Companion is a breathtaking collaboration with master engraver, Dr Malcolm Appleby MBE. A striking pairing of Britain's Cr...
Gold Plate, Silver, Brass
$697 / item
H 3.55 in W 5.52 in D 5.52 in
Caviar Bowl and Spoon in Venetian Glass, Corno Italiano & Lacquered wood Mod 295
By Arcahorn Srl.
Located in Recanati, Macerata
Synonymous with luxury, caviar is a great gastronomic indulgence that requires to be served and tasted in a proper way. Handcrafted from Venetian glass, our caviar bowl is distinguis...
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
$1,200
H 3.75 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
Silver Plate and Crystal Caviar Bowl Dish Server by Gelb, Paris in Box
By Gelb
Located in Atlanta, GA
A modernist silver plate and crystal caviar serving bowl, dish, or chiller designed by French silversmith Gelb in the 1980s. Sophisticated design with a streamlined geometric shape, ...
Crystal, Metal, Silver Plate
$840Sale Price|20% Off
H 8 in W 4.5 in D 2 in
Antique English Sterling Silver & Leather Easy-Grip Safari Flask
By James Dixon & Sons
Located in New York, NY
George V safari flask. Made by James Dixon & Sons in Sheffield in 1927. Clear glass body. Top half encased in leather with cutout tubular windows. Bottom half has detachable sterling...
Sterling Silver
Delfini Caviar Bowl
By Braganti
Located in Milan, IT
This magnificent bowl with lid and base is entirely made in silver and was specifically designed to store and serve caviar. Its Classic shape is adorned with Renaissance-inspired dec...
Crystal, Silver
Victorian Sterling Silver Goblets
By Martin & Hall
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique Victorian English sterling silver goblets; an addition to our range of wine and drink related silverware These exceptional anti...
Sterling Silver
Important Sterling Silver & Guilloche Enamel Cocktail Shaker by David Andersen
By David Andersen
Located in Bath, GB
Not a cocktail shaker, a work of art by master Norwegian goldsmith's, David Andersen; certainly a rare and important piece of holloware for the David Andersen devotee or advanced barware collector. We have never seen a cocktail shaker by this artist or any cocktail shaker covered in guilloche enamel; it could possibly have been commissioned piece dating to the 1950's. The shaker is made from solid sterling silver and is fully marked on the underside and signed by David Andersen, Norway. The elegant modernist shape is engine turned and in turn showcased by the glossy golden yellow enamel, all without damage. The lid once removed acts as a cup. Museum quality in superb condition measuring approximately 4" max. in diameter x 9" tall. David Andersen The David Andersen company is a fourth generation family owned business. David Andersen (1843 -1901) was the son of a Norwegian tenant farmer. At 19 he became an apprentice to a Silversmith in Oslo where he studied enamelling technique. These were incorporated into designs made for English firms in London. During 1876, Andersen opened his own goldsmith workshop in Christiania (Oslo.) He became one of Norway's most renowned and celebrated silversmiths. In 1899 his firm had 121 employees, 29 of which were women. By the time of his death in 1901 his Oslo workshop was producing flatware, holloware, and jewellery which was exhibited at International Expos in Europe. Since the 1920s many fine contemporary designers have worked for the David Andersen firm. including the modernist designer Harry Sorby...
Sterling Silver, Enamel