History

Valentine S. Andrew, established their antiques business in 1911 in the heart of London's fashionable Soho Square. Patronized by English aristocracy, American industrialists and private European collectors, the firm offered rare and highly prized items for clients with discriminating tastes. These richly crafted pieces were created by the finest designers and craftsman of the 18th and 19th centuries, including Thomas Chippendale, Robert Adam, Thomas Hope and George Smith. Furniture sold by the firm was not only utilitarian, but also provided great aesthetic pleasure to grace and elegant interior. In many instances, the pieces elevated the status of the satisfies client.

the celebrated English designer Lady Sybil Colefax began her business in a small area off one floor of Stair & Andrew. At the time, the gallery was located in a fashionable area in London at 24 Bruton Street, in the former townhouse of Lord Islington. The company quickly evolved into a thriving business spanning two continents, with branch offices in four cities. At the peak of their success, the firm had galleries in London, Manhattan, Palm Beach and Williamsburg, VA. The firm also had a fully staffed restoration division, Oxford Restoration, which serviced all facets of conserving high end antique furniture and decorations

which opened in 1912, included a decorating department selling architectural woodwork from historical English interiors. Entire rooms with wood paneling were installed in many significant American houses built during the early 20th century. These included installing paneling removed from Hook Hall into Alfred G. Vanderbilt's home, and working with venerable architect John Russell Pope to install a paneled room for Joseph J. Kerrigan. Other paneled rooms were purchased under the direction of Delano & Aldrich and Treanor & Fatio. Both the New York and London galleries specialized in early oak and 18th C walnut furniture which was popular throughout the 1920's.

Brain's grandfather, joined the firm in 1931, transferring to the New York branch in 1935 to work with Mr. Andrew. A year later, when Mr. Andrew retired, Alastair bought the business, named it Stair & Company, and ran it in a beautifully restored townhouse at 59 E. 57th St. until 1986. Stair & Company sold important pieces and formed numerous private collections in America and abroad for clients including Nelson Rockefeller, Paul Mellon, Judge Irwin Untermeyer (who ultimately donated his collection to the English Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art), Claus and Martha von Bulow, Harvey Van Cliburn, Benjamin Sonnenberg, and Dr. Jules Stein. While serving with elite clients as the Whitney, Vanderbilt, Ford and Chrysler families, Alastair's founded the Antique and Art Dealer's Association of America and the Winter Antiques Show in Manhattan. After 50 years, Alastair sold the firm to David Murdoch, a Los Angeles financier, and joined Sotheby's New York as a consultant.

Brian's father, was born and raised in New York. In the early 1960's, he served as a US Marine in Vietnam, relocating to London after his tour of duty to work at Sotheby's un the tutelage of the great master-mind Peter C. Wilson. He was invited to join Sotheby's Board of Directors with the understanding that he would eventually return to New York. When Sotheby's purchased Parke-Bernet in 1964, John Stair, working with Louis and John Marion, spearheaded the effort to make Sotheby's an international presence. In the process, they created the largest fine art auction house in the United States. After working briefly for his father at Stair & Co. John formed a gallery with Ward Landrigan, a former Sotheby's colleague who currently owns the iconic jeweler, Verdura. John the reunited with Sotheby's in the late 1970s, launching the company's Restoration Division. The expanded division had a staff of highly skilled cabinetmakers, polishers, gilders and lacquer specialists. Working together with both Brian and Colin Stair under John's supervision, the department achieved a national reputation for excellence in historic restoration and preservation. Brian Stair, John’s son, continues the family tradition in this specialty. In 2001, Brian purchased the remaining contents of Sotheby’s Restorations Division and set up shop as Oxford Restoration, reviving his grandfather’s firm in name and quality tradition. Brian brought with him 13 years of experience with Sotheby’s and many of its finest restorers. At Sotheby’s under his father’s tutelage Brian honed his expertise in object and wood identification as well as the restoration and conservation of thousands of important objects. Brian brings to every project 100 years of family pride and excellence in workmanship.