About us
Patrick Moorhead is a family antiques business with a focus on the 18th, 19th and early 20th century furniture and works of art.
history
Our history begins in the early 1950’s when Patrick’s step grandfather introduced his dad to the trade. Settling in Brighton – the largest antiques hub outside London with over 200 shops – he opened Attic Antiques in the buzzing North Laine, ensuring a roaring trade. Cooperation and inter-trading were the spirit of the time, with antique dealers directing buyers to the competitor where the desired piece was sold.
Patrick’s love of antiques grew since he was a little boy. Helping his dad at the shop and going on buying trips, he has developed a keen appreciation and taste for authentic beautiful pieces. Having worked at Attic Antiques for two years after leaving school, Patrick decided to try his luck and took over a shop across the road. Father and son continued to work hand in hand, occasionally becoming friendly rivals to keep customers happy and each other at the top of the game. When the time came, Patrick acquired the contents of his father’s shop, merging the two businesses into one of the largest and most renowned trade-only antique warehouses in the UK.
Patrick Moorhead Antiques is founded on the generations of knowledge and lifetime rapport with our clients. Whilst lovingly preserving the best values – sourcing outstanding items, nurturing customer loyalty, and trade cooperation – we walk in step with the latest advancements to continue delighting our customers with unparalleled service. We are a long-standing member of LAPADA, the Association of Art and Antiques Dealers.
Once known as ‘the trader’s secret’, our warehouse is stocked with the finest 18th, 19th and early 20th century furniture and works of art. We now welcome private buyers and interior decorators to browse our collection.
team
Patrick Moorhead
Founder
Patrick is at the helm of Patrick Moorhead Antiques and is responsible for sales, acquisitions and overall decision making. He has been dealing in antiques since childhood, helping his parents at their Attic Antiques shop and leaving school at 16 to fully immerse himself in the family trade. Having tirelessly worked for over 35 years, he has built up the business to become one of the largest antique dealers in Europe.
Chris Cowen
Consultant
Chris began his career in antiques as a restorer over 40 years ago, then started buying and selling. He exhibited at a number of antique fairs at Olympia London. Having teamed up with Patrick over 10 years ago, Chris is responsible for all the internet-based business and works with interior designers and decorators.
Maureen Moorhead
Operations
Maureen, Patrick’s mother, has been in the antique business all her working life and got Patrick involved in the business at a very young age. She comes in most days, helping oversee the smooth running of the business and giving a hand wherever she can.
Jasmine Tatham
Management
Jasmine is Patrick and Heather’s eldest daughter and has recently given birth to their first grandchild (Ivy). Jasmine helps Patrick manage the business, dealing with accounts and general decision making.
Michael Bowles
Warehouse Management
Michael started in the business as a porter for a local auction house and joined Patrick over 8 years ago. He keeps the warehouse organised, assists customers, arranges restoration and helps takes care of photography.
Lez Swayne
Antique Furniture Restorer
Leslie Swayne has been restoring antique furniture for over twenty years. Priding himself on bring life back into some of our 18th and 19th Century furniture. Using traditional methods of hand French polishing and waxing. Having Les on site helps us offer a fast service of getting items into a showroom condition and shipped out to clients all around the world.
showroom
One of UK’s largest antique dealers, we stock a huge selection of collector’s items in our showroom and warehouse. Your tour will begin in the main hall, home to our collection of 18th, 19th, and early 20th century English, continental and oriental furniture with exquisitely crafted and decorated dining, console and side tables, bureaus, cabinets, commodes, and credenzas. It leads up to the mezzanine floor called The Chair World, where you will find a rich variety of seating, such as rare George ll Satinwood Chairs, Bergere Sofa and Armchairs, the 19th century Venetian Blackamoor Stool, and intricately carved Chinese hardwood garden seats.
As you walk up to the first floor, you enter the opulent world of Louis XV and XVl style, filled with Boulle cabinets, clocks, desks, and elaborate candelabras. The next showroom houses porcelain, including the sought-after Meissen, the delicate Chinese famille-rose, and Vienna porcelain. Here you will also find a wide range of bronze and marble French and Italian statues as well as a dazzling array of mirrors.
The Smalls Room contains a collection of French 19th century clocks, all in working condition.
Our oriental porcelain collection is located upstairs. Here you will find beautifully detailed hand-painted Chinese and Japanese vases, which our in-house specialists can repurpose into lamps for decorative lighting with added character.
Customer parking is available if you are travelling by car. If flying into Gatwick Airport, we can arrange your pick-up.
To make the most of your visit to Patrick Moorhead, Brighton’s renowned antique dealer, please make an appointment by calling us on +44 (0) 1273 779696 or emailing chris@patrickmoorhead.co.uk. We will be happy to show you around our showroom and help you find what you are looking for.
