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Ornamental Turning Lathe by Holtzapffel & Co.
Ornamental Turning Lathe by Holtzapffel & Co.
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Ornamental Turning Lathe by Holtzapffel & Co.
Ornamental Turning Lathe by Holtzapffel & Co.
Ornamental Turning Lathe by Holtzapffel & Co.
Ornamental Turning Lathe by Holtzapffel & Co.
Ornamental Turning Lathe by Holtzapffel & Co.
Ornamental Turning Lathe by Holtzapffel & Co.
Ornamental Turning Lathe by Holtzapffel & Co.
Ornamental Turning Lathe by Holtzapffel & Co.
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Ornamental Turning Lathe by Holtzapffel & Co.

  • This one-of-a-kind ornamental or Rose engine lathe, was crafted by Holtzapffel & Co. of London
  • The ultimate carving tool, it was designed to produce highly detailed ornamentations
  • The extraordinary machine is accompanied by a rare collection of antique carving tools
  • Get complete item description here
$188,500
Item No. 31-1333

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Description
An essential tool in the creation and finishing of furniture, this 19th-century English ornamental, or Rose engine lathe is an object of beauty in and of itself. The extraordinary machine was made by Holtzapffel & Co., established in London in 1794, whose lathes are considered among the most exquisite ever made. The firm exhibited and won medals for its ornamental lathes at several World’s Fairs, including the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the International Inventions. . .
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An essential tool in the creation and finishing of furniture, this 19th-century English ornamental, or Rose engine lathe is an object of beauty in and of itself. The extraordinary machine was made by Holtzapffel & Co., established in London in 1794, whose lathes are considered among the most exquisite ever made. The firm exhibited and won medals for its ornamental lathes at several World’s Fairs, including the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the International Inventions Exhibition of 1885. The lathe’s mahogany bench is operated by a foot treadle and includes a “Sheperd’s Crook” style overhead spindle and a backboard toolbox containing various small tools. 

A remarkable piece of machinery, the lathe is the ultimate carving tool capable of producing highly detailed objects of exquisite artistry. Set in motion by the large foot treadle, a complicated set of gears provides the power behind the machine. As the lathe turns, an artisan can use a variety of tools, such as gouges and chisels to shape both hardwoods and metals. The original, ingeniously designed slide rest allows one to move tools laterally along the lathe, while multiple brass gears in various sizes can change the rate of rotation. A machine such as this would have been a craftsman’s prized possession.

This exceptional lathe is accompanied by an extensive collection of wood-cutting tools, including bits, cutters, gears, chunks and chisels, that allow for an endless array of decorative effects. The tools are contained within a matching 10-drawer triptych Victorian cabinet. Also included within the cabinet is a collection of Society of Ornamental Turners Bulletins.

Lathes have been used since ancient Egypt when artisans first developed a two-person lathe around 1300 BCE. A skilled artisan could create everything from pedestals and legs for the finest furniture to simple household items like candlesticks on a well-designed lathe. Pedal-operated models like this were first introduced in the Middle Ages, replacing the hand-cranked model and freeing a craftsman’s hands to hold wood-turning tools. With the advent of the Industrial Age, lathes were motorized, which cut down on working time and cleared the way for assembly-line production.

Late 19th century

Lathe: 42 1/8" wide x 27 1/2" deep x 89" high
Cabinet: 47 7/8" wide x 25 5/8" deep x 44" high
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Ornamental Turning Lathe by Holtzapffel & Co.
Period: 19th Century
Origin: England
Type: Other
Depth: 25.63 in. (65.09 cm)
Width: 47.88 in. (121.6 cm)
Height: 44.0 in. (111.76 cm)
Ornamental Turning Lathe by Holtzapffel & Co.
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Buy with Confidence

At M.S. Rau, we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. That’s why your purchase is backed by our 125% guarantee.

Learn More

The M.S. Rau Difference

The M.S. Rau Difference

The M.S. Rau Difference

Our philosophy has always been to offer clients only the very finest antiques, works of art and jewelry, and to back every transaction with the highest level of customer service. Earning your trust and delivering only the very best pieces is our top priority.

-Bill Rau, Third-Generation Owner

Fine Art

M.S. Rau is committed to offering fine art of the highest caliber and we seek paintings and sculpture by historically renowned artists, often with impressive provenance. The large majority of our works of art come from private. . .

M.S. Rau is committed to offering fine art of the highest caliber and we seek paintings and sculpture by historically renowned artists, often with impressive provenance. The large majority of our works of art come from private collections; many are fresh to the market. Founded on Bill Rau’s expertise in the field, our specialisms range from Old Master pictures to Modern Art masterpieces. We regularly exhibit Dutch, Flemish, and Italian Old Masters, Academic, Orientalist, Barbizon, Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Maritime & Sporting, British Neoclassical and American Illustration.

Our experienced fine art consultants offer personalized and confidential fine art consultation services to all clients. Whether you are looking to begin collecting art, grow an existing collection, or redefine your collecting strategy, M.S. Rau can support you on this journey.

Jewelry

For more than a century, M.S. Rau has offered clients a superb selection of the highest quality jewelry. From the rarest colored diamonds, to the most sublime gemstones, to the most exquisite designer jewelry, M.S. Rau houses. . .

For more than a century, M.S. Rau has offered clients a superb selection of the highest quality jewelry. From the rarest colored diamonds, to the most sublime gemstones, to the most exquisite designer jewelry, M.S. Rau houses an extraordinary collection of fine jewels to satisfy the most discerning collector. Stunning creations by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston and Patek Philippe are offered alongside extreme rarities such as vivid yellow, pink and blue diamonds, coveted Burma and Kashmir sapphires and elusive Golconda diamonds prized for their fire and perfection. Iconic jewels from the Art Deco, Edwardian, Art Nouveau and Victorian periods round out the collection.

Antiques

Since 1912, M.S. Rau has been recognized as a leader in the antiques industry and today our collections of rare silver, furniture, clocks, porcelain, glass and objets d'art are second to none. Our commitment to curating the. . .

Since 1912, M.S. Rau has been recognized as a leader in the antiques industry and today our collections of rare silver, furniture, clocks, porcelain, glass and objets d'art are second to none. Our commitment to curating the world’s most extraordinary and beautiful treasures has remained steadfast and our acquisition philosophy is simple: seek out and acquire only the very finest works whose provenance, beauty and rarity set them apart from all others. Our clients can be certain that each and every piece in our gallery has been hand-selected and carefully vetted for authenticity, condition and provenance. And, because our network of contacts spans generations, we are often able to acquire pieces that may have otherwise never been available on the market.

Whether you are just starting your collection, adding to an existing collection or even decorating your home, our team’s knowledge and experience can assist you in your endeavor. We have services and procedures in place to make your acquisition process both enjoyable and efficient.