The man behind the antiques
Paul Fitzsimmons
Since establishing Marhamchurch Antiques in 1991, Paul Fitzsimmons has become recognised as one of the UK’s leading specialists in early oak furniture and works of art, with a particular focus on the Tudor and early Stuart periods.
Driven by a lifelong passion for the history and material culture of the 16th century, Paul combines deep research with connoisseurship to uncover and document rare pieces. His work connects collectors, museums, and historic houses with important furniture and decorative art from this formative era in British history.
Marhamchurch Antiques serves an international clientele, arranging acquisitions and loans worldwide, and continues to champion the study and appreciation of Tudor design and craftsmanship. We ship items worldwide and are happy to arrange this too.
A Collector's Perspective
To stoke the fires of passion for the Gothic and the Renaissance" was the message I wrote on the flyleaf of Monica Burckhardt's Mobiler Moyen Age, Renaissance, a gift to the young Paul Fitzsimmons in early 1997.
Paul was then dealing in early furniture, an interest inspired by his late father who was also an antiques dealer. Since then we have remained close friends and I have watched Paul set aside his restoration work to blaze a meteoric trail as a dealer in furniture and woodcarvings from the mediaeval period to the late 17th century. He has the nose of a bloodhound for tracking down previously unrecorded furniture and the tenacity of a Jack Russell for locating lost and forgotten items from famous collections long dispersed.
I keep a keen eye on his gallery and am perpetually amazed by the richness of the treasures he offers for sale, and if the little book I gave him so long ago played any part in kindling those fires of passion for his metier that burn so strongly within him, then I am not only content but also rather proud.