Name: Andrew Lamberty Age: 41 Owner: Lamberty, Pimlico Road, London Follow Andrew on Twitter: @AndrewLamberty
Andrew is one of the leading dealers of his generation. With a showroom on Pimlico Road, he stocks rare furniture and objects from all periods, creating a James Bond look with an emphasis on 20th Century design. He says has "the most amazing furniture shop you have ever been to."
Andrew actually aspired to become an artist when he was growing up and it was only after leaving Cambridge University that he came to the conclusion if he couldn't paint, he'd deal in art instead.
"I was awful at maths," he recalls. "I forced myself to learn the art of the trade. I actually wanted to be an artist. At 17 I came to a fork in the road. I wanted to go to art school but, after a lot of soul searching, I decided to take up my place at Cambridge. After that, I figured if I couldn't make it, I would deal it."
His first job was working as a van driver for an auction house, before quickly progressing to run the furniture department.
Then after two years under the stewardship of a good dealer, he bought himself a van and travelled to different auctions around the UK, "cutting his teeth and selling to those he knew."
Not surprisingly, success came quickly to Andrew and he likes nothing better than finding the sorts of antiques to furnish a Bond villain's lair. If it's a one-off object, he'll go for any period, so long as he can make a decent profit. His favourite items include an enormous oval gold star burst mirror from a Florentine church, a pair of iconic Barcelona chairs and a bookcase which looks like an Italian palace.
Putting the secret of his success down to "out-working the opposition and developing a refined eye," Andrew's love of the rare and beautiful means he now doesn't have to get out of bed for less than a grand.
He says: "My buying style is impetuous - I know immediately. I experience a very visceral pleasure when I see something very good. Its like a fizz up the spine. That has brought me confidence, and brought me belief in the integrity of what I offer."
Items bought by Andrew:
