Antiques & Collectables – Kendal, Lake District

Jackdaw Antiques is an independent antiques shop in Kendal, Cumbria, in the heart of the Lake District. We stock a distinctive mix of well-sourced antiques, vintage items, collectables, antique furniture, original art, and books — plus just about anything old and curious that catches our eye..

OPEN SATURDAY 11AM to 4PM

Magazine

History Through Objects | Antique Magazine

History Through Objects

Welcome to Jackdaw’s antiques, collectables, and art magazine hub — where history breathes, craftsmanship speaks, and collecting becomes an art. Explore stories from antiques and auction frontlines to design features, all in one place.

Explore Categories

Antiques

Historic pieces, rare finds, and timeless beauty.

Guides

How-tos, identification tips, and collector advice.

Art & Design

Where form, function, and history collide.

Collecting

Collector stories, obsessions, and collections.

Craftsmanship

Mastery in wood, clay, metal, and stone.

Auctions

Notable sales, bidding tips, and market trends.

Interiors

Antiques in living spaces – old meets new.

Investments

Collecting treasures that pay dividends.

Special Features

The Antique Oracle

A playful dive into the antique unknown. Ask your question, summon a relic of wisdom.

Take the Antique Quiz

How well do you know your Rococo from your Regency? Test your knowledge.

Behind the Item

Discover the fascinating stories and history behind antiques we have for sale.

All-Time Most Read Posts

Climb the Pyramid: The Ultimate Quiz Challenge

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Play the Pyramid Game, where your knowledge of history and antiques will be put to the ultimate test! Each question takes you one step closer to the summit, but a single misstep could send you tumbling back to the base. After all, no one ever said climbing a pyramid was easy. You’ll have 90 seconds from the moment the page loads to reach the top, so don’t waste time overthinking—after all, centuries of history rest on your shoulders. Are you ready to outsmart the ages, or will your pyramid dreams come crashing down? There’s only one way to find out. Let’s see if you can keep your cool under pressure—or if history will have the last laugh. Pyramid Quiz L7 L6 L5 L4 L3 L2 L1 Question will appear here. Time left: 60 Need a second chance? Refresh the page to try again — or take on our next quiz. Click here to play...  B eat the J...
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Raku Pottery: Where Fire, Art, and Tradition Collide

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Raku isn’t just pottery; it’s an alchemy of clay, fire, and philosophy. It was born in 16th-century Kyoto, when tea master Sen no Rikyū sought a vessel that embodied wabi-sabi—beauty in imperfection. Enter Chōjirō, a tile-maker tasked with crafting tea bowls that were simple, earthy, and hand-molded rather than wheel-thrown. The result? A style of pottery unlike any other, built for the hushed reverence of the Japanese tea ceremony. The name Raku —meaning “enjoyment” or “ease”—came later, stamped on a seal given to Chōjirō’s son, Jokei, by warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. That seal cemented the Raku family legacy, an unbroken line of master potters that continues today under Raku Kichizaemon XVI . This wasn’t mass production. Each bowl was a meditation, a singular creation made to be held, turned in the hands, and contemplated before a sip of tea. No two were alike, each bearing the marks of fire, clay, and the moment it was born. Raku tea bowl with crane by Ryōnyū (Raku IX), 1810–1838, LAC...
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The Mask of Rebellion: V for Vendetta Poster

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We’ve just unearthed a V for Vendetta cinema one-sheet poster, and honestly, it got me thinking. As November 5th rolls around, with effigies of Guy Fawkes crackling away on bonfires, one can’t help but be struck by the enduring image of the man behind the flames. The face we now associate with rebellion and resistance—made famous by the graphic novel, the film, and, let’s face it, every protestor with a mask—is far more than just a cultural icon. It’s a symbol wrapped in history, myth, and a whole lot of irony. The iconic Guy Fawkes mask from V for Vendetta Guy Fawkes, born in York in 1570, came of age in one of England’s messier family feuds: the Protestant Reformation. As a Catholic in a country that had very publicly chosen Protestantism (with a nudge from the crown and an unhealthy amount of fire and brimstone), Fawkes quickly learned that his faith would make him a second-class citizen. Naturally, this led him to become an international man of intrigue, fighting for Catholic caus...
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Antiques Wanted

Got 18th–20th century treasures gathering dust? Jackdaw Antiques wants quirky, unique pieces full of character. From Chinese jars to Art Deco statues, if it’s good or unusual, we want it. Bring your stuff and let’s make a deal the Jackdaw would love.

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