Finding specific antique pieces requires market knowledge, dealer relationships and authentication expertise. Our sourcing service locates all appropriate furniture and decorative arts for private collectors, interior designers and corporate clients who need authenticated pieces but lack the time or connections to find them.
With a family business established in 1891 and John Bly's role as BBC Antiques Roadshow furniture expert, we bring unrivalled specialist knowledge to acquisition projects. Our sourcing service operates through an established network of contacts including dealers, auction houses and private collections across Britain, Continental Europe and America.
What We Source
English Period Furniture Georgian, Regency, Victorian and Edwardian furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries. We specialise in dining room furniture, tables, library furniture, writing desks, seating, cabinets and case pieces.
Decorative Arts Silver, ceramics, glass, bronzes and all decorative objects for the interior. Our expertise spans multiple collecting categories beyond furniture.
Specialist Requirements Specific makers' works, matching pieces to complete sets, or items for particular interior schemes. We understand period styles and can identify pieces suitable for authentic restorations. See Studio Bly.
Our Approach
We work with private collectors building personal collections, interior designers requiring genuine pieces for client projects, and corporate clients furnishing properties where authenticity matters. Each sourcing project begins with understanding your specific requirements.
Authentication forms a core part of our service. John Bly's expertise and experience in furniture history, construction techniques and period styles means pieces are vetted before recommendation. We're members of LAPADA (London and Provincial Antique Dealers Association), which requires adherence to professional standards.
The sourcing process involves accessing our dealer network, monitoring auction houses, and identifying pieces through established market channels. We handle negotiation and purchase coordination, with collection from source to our Tring location or delivery arranged.
Working With Different Clients
Private Collectors We assist individuals building collections or searching for specific pieces. Our service includes authentication, market advice and acquisition support.
Interior Designers Design professionals working on period properties or heritage projects use our sourcing expertise to locate specified items or suggest period-appropriate alternatives.
Corporate Clients Hotels, institutions and commercial properties requiring furnished interiors with period character. We source multiple pieces for larger projects and provide documentation for insurance and inventory purposes.
Authentication & Quality
Every piece we source is examined for period authenticity, structural condition, restoration history and provenance where available. Our family has supplied pieces to institutions including the V&A Museum, which reflects the authentication standards we maintain.
We identify maker's marks, assess construction techniques, evaluate timber selection and patination, and research comparable market examples. This process ensures pieces meet the standards expected by serious collectors and professional buyers.
Market Access
Our network has developed over five generations in business . Relationships with colleagues and private collections across the board give us unique access to pieces before they reach public sale or appear on general market listings.
This network spans England, Scotland, Wales and Continental Europe and America , with particular strength in regions with historical concentrations of antiques trade. We monitor specialist auctions, maintain relationships with regional traders, and track private collection availability.
Service Scope
Sourcing projects vary in complexity. Some clients need single specific items—a Georgian dining table of particular dimensions, a set of Regency chairs in mahogany, a documented maker's piece for a collection. Others require multiple pieces for complete room schemes or property furnishing.
We provide straightforward acquisitions where suitable pieces are readily available, and more complex searches where rare or specific requirements need extended research. All sourcing enquiries begin with discussing feasibility and likely timescales based on market availability. See Studio Bly for Bespoke services.
Coordination With Other Services
Sourced pieces can be delivered directly, or we can coordinate restoration through our workshop before delivery. For design projects, we work alongside your interior designer or architect, sourcing to their specifications.
Our sourcing service intersects with other aspects of the business—authentication, restoration, international shipping, and interior consultancy—providing integrated support for antiques acquisition.
Getting Started
Sourcing enquiries should include descriptions of requirements, any specific period or style preferences, and intended use or setting. Photographs of existing pieces or spaces help us understand your aesthetic direction.
We're based in Tring, Hertfordshire, where we maintain showroom stock. Appointments available to discuss sourcing requirements or view current inventory.
Enquiries:
Call: +44 (0) 1442 823030
Email: info@johnbly.com