• About Rolleston

    About Rolleston

     

    For over seventy years, Rolleston has been a trusted name in exceptional English furniture and rare Asian works of art. Based in Kensington and now led by James Rolleston, our gallery continues a family tradition built on connoisseurship, discretion, and a deep respect for historical design. We are proud to be recognised internationally for our expertise and for the calibre of the pieces we handle.

     

    Our focus lies in the great era of cultural exchange between Britain and China from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Chinese art profoundly shaped British interiors, introducing lacquer, porcelain, and textiles that inspired everything from chinoiserie to japanned furniture. At the same time, Chinese artisans produced sophisticated export works for European audiences, blending Eastern techniques with Western forms. This dialogue between cultures, where East and West meet, is at the heart of our collection and defines the character of Rolleston today.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Establishing A Relationship

    Establishing A Relationship

     

    Long-lasting relationships built on trust and discretion are central to our approach. As a well-established gallery with a dynamic outlook, we bring deep expertise and extensive industry connections that help our clients navigate a complex marketplace. Each year we assess thousands of works, distinguishing between the ordinary and the exceptional, always with our clients’ interests in mind.

     

    Our clients value our refined taste and meticulous standards. Every piece we handle is rigorously examined to ensure it meets the highest levels of quality and authenticity.

     

    We conduct all our business with transparency, clarity, and discretion, and we look forward to building a lasting relationship with you.

     

     

     

     

  • Strong Beliefs

    Strong Beliefs

     

    Bound by our principles, founding philosophy and high level of expertise, clients buy from us with complete confidence and an assurance they will receive a dedicated and highly personal service.

     

    We believe in the importance of combining world class iconic design with functionality. These enduring, classic designs are in great taste, and create superb original interiors for today.

     

    The items we have sold have been placed in a huge variety of settings, from traditional town and country houses in England, Europe and the United States to contemporary spaces in California and the Far East.

     

    Rolleston can list a number of the world’s finest museums as clients, while also helping to form some iconic private collections of English furniture and Asian works of art around the globe.

  • History

    History

     

    The company was founded in 1955 by Marion Priestly Rolleston and originally traded under the name The Antique Home. Specialising in English furniture, the company acquired only pieces that met the highest standards of authenticity, condition and quality and quickly gained a reputation for its integrity and trustworthiness. 

     

    The company grew with this ethos at its core and by the mid-1970s had become well known in the art and antiques world. By the early 1980s, the company was exhibiting at the Grosvenor House Art & Antiques Fair, where it played an integral role in the strict English antique furniture vetting committee. This period marked the consolidation and expansion of its international clientele.

     

    Today, Rolleston is a third-generation firm specialising in English furniture and Asian works of art. While staying true to the core values that built the business, the company continues to enhance its reputation, exhibiting at international fairs such as TEFAF, and acquiring important works in the galleries areas of specialism, collaborating with museum and leading academics in fields of research and cultivating new relationships with clients worldwide.

     

    We are very proud of our history and look forward to continuing to share our passion for the pieces we offer.