For over 40 years I have worked with antiques and, like my parents and grandparents, I have a genuine deep rooted passion for antique furniture and particularly 17th and 18th Century British furniture and early English walnut
Our family name was Webberley and in the 18th and 19th centuries many Webberley men worked as cabinet makers and coach builders. Henry Webberley-Smith built one of Queen Victoria's carriages and it is still used by the British Royal Family today. When I was able to open my first shop it seemed right for it to carry that name
In the last fifteen years I have closed my shops in Mayfield and in France and moved the Webberley business to a barn
at my home with online sales and viewings by arrangement
Over these last four
decades I have been fortunate to meet hundreds of wonderful people, knowledgeable
buyers and first time collectors from around the World. Many buy from me
regularly and I have included some of their kind feedback on this
site
Antiques are environmentally friendly, will last a lifetime with minimal care, will retain or enhance their value and for many are a daily source of great pleasure. Unlike the mass produced, last-a-minute, items available in every high street, each piece is almost always unique, packed with clues about its origin and the stories of generations of owners
I have such admiration for the people who made these wonderful and rare things which have survived centuries of use. Many of the pieces I sell have longer histories, stories and voices than we can imagine - they have seen good times and bad, been neglected and loved again, endured conflicts, house moves, changes in fashion and fortune
It is heartening to touch and see these solid old pieces at times like this - made by skilled hands hundreds of years ago they remind us that the years march on, that bad things pass, that good things endure
I consider it a great privilege to work with antiques and it is a great pleasure to re-home them so that they can continue
to be used and as their makers intended
I provide detailed histories and provenance whenever possible so that they carry their stories forward
Every piece in my stock is chosen with care and selected because I would love to have it in my own home
I describe and photograph my pieces accurately and aim that each will exceed expectations
I operate a full refund guarantee and am always available to offer a personal service and honest friendly advice
with kindest regards, Debbie Tice