English furniture really better?

[Ted Owen]

My favorite furniture styling is the work of the Townsends and Goddards, Newport, RI. A couple weeks ago at a Marc Adams class, our well-known instructor opined that even the Newport pieces can't hold a candle to fine English furniture.

I confess to being quite surprised when I heard that. If there is something better, I'd sure like to see photos and drawings.

Does anyone know a good reference work on English pieces, say 1765-1810. Perhaps something akin to Michael Moses' Craftsmen of Newport for American work.

Best, Ted

[Mike Henderson]

It's all a matter of taste, of course, but I'd put the early American furniture against English furniture anytime. The Newport, Boston, and Philadelphia furniture is some of the best in the world in that time period (sorry Charleston).

Mike

[Richard Wolf]

American antiques are almost always worth more than English.

Richard