Andrew Shirley - What exactly do Corfield Morris do?

Daniel Morris - We provide independent expert advice to clients wanting to buy antiques, fine art and jewellery. Like The Buying Solution, we don't have a stock so are able to act solely in the interest of our clients. We scour the worldwide market with the underlying principal of sourcing the best within any given level. This includes auction houses, galleries, dealers, trade warehouses and private collections.

AS - Who are your typical clients and what are they looking for?

DM - Recent home buyers, particularly those that have up-sized or added to their property portfolio. Dining room furniture is often at the top of a list. Clients are often keen to entertain in their new home as soon as possible. 

AS - You must meet some very interesting people as part of your job; what has been your most memorable experience?

DM - There have been several. From the sublime – discovering a pedestal desk for a client that we later proved to be a previously unrecorded work by Thomas Chippendale - to the ridiculous - being relieved upon by a client's dog as I inspected the underside of their Irish console table and being shown a client's pride and joy – the largest collection of whale penis bones in the world.

AS - What are the most unusual and difficult-to-find things that clients have asked you to source?

DM - We were once asked to find some wonderful wooden panelling with a marine twist for an Italian client's new yacht. We tracked down some of the original panelling from the HMS Britannic (Titanic's sister ship) in a hotel in Scotland. We negotiated the purchase and removal of the panelling from the hotel and it is now currently back floating on the high seas.

AS - Do you only search for very expensive items?

DM - No. We are happy to search for lower value items (£2000-£5000). A number of our clients have never bought "serious" art or antiques before and do not necessarily want to dive in at the deep end. However, as we do not charge for our time, we need to be realistic. Our fee is success oriented and calculated as a percentage of the negotiated purchase price.

AS - Do the types of things that people tend to look for change in line with styles and fashion?

DM - To a certain degree. Minimal simplistic living appeals to some and not to others. We are seeing an increasing amount of clients who would just like a few very good pieces and have the vision to juxtapose the ancient against the contemporary. Age also plays a part: clients with young families will have different considerations when buying art and antiques than more mature buyers who have often developed in to collectors surrounded by more traditional art and furniture.

AS - What tips do you have for buyers?

DM - Take independent advice to ensure you are buying the right thing at the right price from the right source. Buy the very best you can afford. If you have the time and inclination learn about the subject – the enjoyment you can take from an artwork is heightened by your understanding of its design and manufacture and its place in the history and evolution of the fine and decorative arts.