Combining a mix of society's last word and both wit and wisdom, The Steeple Times covers food, drink and fine dining as well as luxury, travel, the arts, individuals of influence and current affairs in the United Kingdom, America and elsewhere. We are best described as being akin to "a cross between The Huffington Post and Private Eye".
The magazine's following is affluent, engaged and international. With 41% of readers coming from the UK and 38% from America, The Steeple Times also has strong presence within Canadian, Italian, German and Australian territories.
March 27, 2020
by Matthew Steeples
Highlight of the art and antiques calendar, Masterpiece London, announces its 2020 fair has been cancelled due to coronavirus The brainchild of renowned dealer Harry Apter and three other founding members, Masterpiece London was due to take place at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea from 24th June to 1st July. Sadly, as with many … Continue reading “Muting Masterpiece”
January 7, 2019
by Matthew Steeples
Lady ‘Call Me Victoria’ Borwick makes a fool of herself on the BBC’s ‘Big Question’ as it is revealed that the MP who managed to lose the safe seat of Kensington is ludicrously seeking a comeback Yesterday morning, Lady ‘Call Me Victoria’ Borwick nodded her head on the BBC’s The Big Questions as another … Continue reading “Blessed Borwick’s Back”
January 3, 2019
by Matthew Steeples
‘Tables d’Exception’ launched at Rolls-Royce in Mayfair On 29th November 2018, the extremely connected and delightfully affable Alexandra Foley organised a party for her client the French interior architect and antique tableware collector Hubert de Vinols at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London’s Berkeley Square showroom in Mayfair. Showcasing Mr de Vinols’ ‘Tables d’Exception’ concept … Continue reading “The Art of The Tablescape”
December 17, 2018
by Matthew Steeples
IFAW secure a ban on the sale of most items of ivory in the UK with the assistance of Michael Gove MP and ‘Fake or Fortune’s’ Philip Mould Elephants love Wednesday, and so will you. Elephants remember Wednesday as if it was only Tuesday. Anthony T. Hincks, author. Last week, the International Fund … Continue reading “A Victory for Babar”
September 16, 2018
by Matthew Steeples
Actor Dudley Sutton – AKA ‘Lovejoy’s’ Tinker – passes away aged 85 shortly after giving an interview lauding the NHS The talented actor and regular at the Chelsea Arts Club, Dudley Sutton sadly died yesterday after a short battle with cancer. Best known for playing Tinker Dill in the brilliant BBC comedy-drama series … Continue reading “The Talented Tinker”
September 14, 2018
by Matthew Steeples
Racist Marie-Claire, ‘Baroness’ von Alvensleben spotted dashing for sparkling wine as she ‘works the room’ at chi-chi antiques fair Last night at LAPADA, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting innocents complete with her trademark helmet hairstyle, Marie-Claire ‘Baroness’ von Alvensleben perched on a bench at the entrance. The wannabe Elnett ambassador’s eyes beamed when … Continue reading “Picture of the Week – A Bottled Baroness”
November 26, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Vast Greek Revival style Pennsylvania mansion for sale for 56% less than it was marketed for in 2014; it comes with a pub in the basement An extravagant and somewhat over the top estate in Pennsylvania is on sale for £2.96 million or 56% less than the £6.75 million sum it was listed for … Continue reading “The Finery of Fatland”
October 24, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Six-storey Belgravia residence with controversial business connections goes on sale for 22% less than it was marketed for in 2015 and 3,497% more than it sold for in 1997 A 6,961 square foot freehold terraced townhouse in Belgravia has gone on sale for £25 million or 3,497% more than it was sold for in … Continue reading “Wealthy Wilton”
July 4, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Former Liberal Democrats headquarters for sale for somewhat reduced but still anything but liberal sum of £36 million (to include a Rodin) A building that was originally the London office of the North Eastern Railway Company and the headquarters of the Social Democratic Party and then their successors, the Liberal Democrats, between 1982 and … Continue reading “Anything But Liberal”
June 8, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Matthew Steeples asks Conservative candidate for Kensington Lady Borwick five questions; he put the same to the Liberal Democrats Annabel Mullin also whilst Labour’s Emma Dent Coad failed to respond In the final hours of the 2017 General Election campaign, I asked the Conservative candidate for Kensington, Lady Borwick, five questions I considered relevant … Continue reading “A Question of Borwick”
April 6, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Historic Battersea mansion for sale for the same sum it was marketed for in 2011; it has been mostly empty throughout the intervening period and was renovated by the late billionaire Malcolm Forbes Billionaire publisher Malcolm Forbes was a man who liked to live large. He had a huge yacht named The Highlander, threw … Continue reading “Billionaire Battersea”
September 7, 2016
by Jacina Coyne
New contributor Jacina Coyne on how to spend a day in Petworth, West Sussex Petworth is well known for its synonymous stately home and its grounds by ‘England’s greatest gardener’, Capability Brown. This is a charming gem of a town in the English countryside and is easily accessible from London. I reached it in … Continue reading “The pleasures of Petworth”
February 24, 2016
by Matthew Steeples
Musician Sting’s Steinway piano sells for a staggering £116,500 against estimate of just £30,000 to £50,000
October 11, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
In the first of a series, we examine the character types of London – We begin with barflies
September 19, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
Trinity House hosted a packed preview of the works of the artist Edward Noott on 16th September
June 25, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
Spectacular items, art and objects at Masterpiece 2015
April 27, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks realtor and star of ‘Million Dollar Listing San Francisco’ Justin Fichelson: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
February 1, 2015
by General
A Belgian fantasist, Oliver Trusgnach falsely accused a former Belgian prime minister of abuse before becoming an £18,500 per year antiques gallery manager in Witney, Oxfordshire in 2000.
January 9, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
Lateral penthouse available to rent in conversion of former Art Deco garage in Fulham for the staggering sum of £6,500 per week
October 6, 2014
by General
The Steeple Times asks American gymnast, performing artist, contortionist and former addict Joe Putignano: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
September 20, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
Matthew Steeples reviews Chelsea townhouse hotel San Domenico House San Domenico House is a hidden secret; a small hotel that’s physically minutes from the bustle of Sloane Square yet literally a world away from it.
September 2, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks professional polo player Peter Webb: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
September 1, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
‘The Steeple Times’ chooses five unusual objects that will prove to be conversation pieces in any home This week sees Christie’s South Kensington auction a selection of “unconventional” items in their second annual Out of the Ordinary sale. With the help of them, Salvage Europe and Bonhams, here we choose five of the best … Continue reading “Five of the Best: Conversation pieces”
July 19, 2014
by James Murphy
James Murphy examines his romantic heroes, Ian Fleming and James Bond I was privileged to attend the recent Masterpiece art and antiques fair in Chelsea. For me, the undoubted highlight was coming face to face with the letters of Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, on Peter Harrington’s stand.
July 11, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
A Cumbrian mansion built by opium traders and more recently used by cannabis growers comes to the market for just £1.5 million Built by the well-known Dent family, who made their fortune trading both tea and opium, Flass is a vast 23,000 square foot Palladian mansion on the outskirts of the village of Maulds … Continue reading “Drugs and Dents”
June 27, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
Two works from American galleries on display at Masterpiece Business on the opening day at Masterpiece 2014 was brisk with one dealership, Symbolic & Chase, selling a 1912 Cartier corsage for in excess of $20 million (£11.75 million). Our friends at Apter-Fredericks, equally, were delighted to sell an important mirror in the first hour … Continue reading “American masters”
June 25, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times chooses six of the best items on display at Masterpiece 2014 Thursday marks the official opening of the fifth annual Masterpiece art and antiques fair featuring over 150 leading galleries from across the world. To accompany today’s preview, The Steeple Times asked six of the exhibitors to choose their highlight from … Continue reading “Masters of Masterpiece”
March 22, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
A roundup of the art worth seeing at BADA The BADA Antiques & Fine Art Fair on Chelsea’s Duke of York Square is an annual showcase of art and antiques that range in price from £100 to £1 million. Here, The Steeple Times picks three of our favourite items on display that suit a … Continue reading “The best of BADA”
March 18, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
Antiques dealer Apter-Fredericks’ Spring window is one to watch Antique dealers are often thought of as fussy and a little fuddy-duddy. In their latest display, Apter-Fredericks on Fulham Road in Chelsea show themselves to be anything but.
by Matthew Steeples
20 questions with Apter-Fredericks gallery manager Alice Freyman The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? At this stage in my life, it is ‘balance’: work, play, family, self. “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours? The only difference between a dream … Continue reading “Alice Freyman: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””
December 26, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Our tribute to Martin Miller We learnt yesterday via Facebook that the founder of Martin Miller’s Gin and Miller’s Antiques Guides, Martin Miller, had died. Like many others, we were shocked and astounded by this terrible news.
December 17, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Charles Mitford Cust tells the tale of a Steiff bear with a fascinating past I was routing around in the family safe one rainy day recently when I spotted an unusual object hidden behind a pile of ancient documents right at the back, it turned out to be a near mint condition 1908 Steiff … Continue reading “Bears and postmen”
October 8, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Oprah Winfrey to sell off contents of her Californian mansion As Oprah Winfrey prepares to turn 60 she’s decided to refresh the décor at her $82 million Californian estate. As a result, the contents of this mansion along with items from her other homes are to be auctioned at the Santa Barbara Polo Club … Continue reading “Auctioning Oprah”
October 1, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
A collector of English drawings and watercolours since the age of 14 and second to none as an auctioneer, Eton educated Wyndham hammered down Giacometti’s Walking Man sculpture for £65 million in 2010 and Rubens’ Massacre of the Innocents for £49.5 million in 2002. His glasses saved his sight in a shooting accident in Scotland … Continue reading “Henry Wyndham”
August 17, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
This London based antiques expert has a captivating enthusiasm for silver and fine craftmanship.
July 14, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
This real life ‘M’ is a former Minister of State for Security and Counter Terrorism and has also been a BBC Governor and Chairman of the British Joint Intelligence Committee. Oxford educated Neville-Jones is said to be “sparky” and collects antiques and enjoys cooking and gardening. Dame Judi Dench could quite easily be her body … Continue reading “The Rt. Hon. the Baroness Neville-Jones DCMG PC”
July 3, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Stockinger’s safes represent the most secure of investments Masterpiece 2013 closes today. This impressive showcase is something that has been crammed to the brim with some of the finest works of art, design and antiques currently on the market, but given that many of these items are of immense value, they need to be … Continue reading “As safe as Stockinger”
May 30, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
This creepy, permatanned ‘queen’ of the antiques trade claims to have blue blood on his mother’s side. Aside from appearing on the ‘mahogany skinned’ David Dickinson’s Real Deal television programme, Ian Towning once attempted to launch a pen for left-handed writers. He is often spotted promenading the Kings Road – from where he operates a … Continue reading “Ian Towning”
May 21, 2013
by Sarah Tucker
Sarah Tucker goes in search of the ten tribes paying homage to a centenary of flower power at the 100th RHS Chelsea Flower Show Yesterday I attended the press day for the 100th anniversary of the Chelsea Flower Show. Gnomes have been allowed for the first time, but many of the celebrities who attend … Continue reading “The tribes looking for CFS”
May 10, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Always dressed to the nines and a prominent feature at Christie’s auction receptions, this lady plainly loves a perm as much as she likes antiques and fine art. She’d most definitely make a perfect body double for Hyacinth Bucket and Baroness Thatcher would, without doubt, have been green with envy over her collection of handbags.
May 7, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The sale of a £400,000 castle owned by a man who was an inspiration for the creation of James Bond’s nom de plume Sir Hilary Bray, Bt and for many elements of 007’s character also Count Robin de la Lanne-Mirrlees (1925 – 2012) is largely thought of as the man whose persona Ian Fleming … Continue reading “Lord of the Bond”
March 12, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Matthew Steeples offers offers a tribute to the late Robert Troyan I first met the larger than life Bostonian character Robert Troyan (1950 – 2013) with his partner Anthony Feldman in the early 2000s at their impressive apartment in Mayfair. Though I did not come to know them well, I fondly recall a number … Continue reading “A monstrous murder in Mayfair”
March 5, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks architectural antiques expert Jim Ruig: “What’s on your mantelpiece?” The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? Design, travel and friends. “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours? The best revenge is to have a fabulous life. … Continue reading “Jim Ruig: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””
January 29, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The undisputed king of gin. Martin Miller didn’t like the gins he tried and so created his own, Martin Miller’s Gin. It is wonderful. This father of five and husband of Ioana Beju was also the genius behind Miller’s Antiques Guides and a brilliant hotelier. He enjoyed life to the full in true Dickensian style and … Continue reading “Martin Miller (1946 – 2013)”
November 26, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Co-owner of the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills with her husband R. J., Cohen is of surprisingly humble origins. She grew up on a chicken farm in Cleveland, Ohio but moved to LA with her divorced mother aged 13 when she opened a Kosher chicken killing plant on Santa Monica Boulevard. This hardworking lady now … Continue reading “Beverly Cohen”
November 12, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
A gent who operated by routine, whisky and 40 cigarettes a day. This clubman’s knowledge of London history was phenomenal and he was dedicated to his role as parish clerk at St. Michael’s Cornhill. Gaze, a Russian icon dealer with a shop in the Piccadilly Arcade, lived a life full of dramas that included being … Continue reading “John Gaze (1947 – 2011)”
November 1, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
This Swiss born son of a printer has spent over £85 million buying up properties in the Henley-on-Thames area of Oxfordshire. Schwarzenbach also owns 123,000 acres in Australia, 26,000 acres in Scotland and has his own polo team, the Black Bears. This financier’s foreign exchange dealership, Interexchange, is the biggest in Switzerland and betting against … Continue reading “Urs Schwarzenbach”
October 7, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
A most curious tale of playboys, socialites, lawyers and real estate moguls This week the mystery buyer of Clarendon Court, the former marital home of Claus and Martha “Sunny” Von Bülow (1932 – 2008), was revealed as a restaurateur and real estate mogul named Paul Roiff. Separately, the New York Post reported that Mr … Continue reading “Reversing Fortunes: Tales of former home of Claus von Bulow”
June 19, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Stowe Opera’s ‘Marriage of Figaro’ at Winslow Hall In July 2012, the Stowe Opera Company will perform Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro in the grounds of Winslow Hall in Buckinghamshire. The Stowe Opera Company was founded in 1995 by the renowned musician and conductor Robert Secret and originally performed in the grounds of Stowe … Continue reading “The Miracle of Winslow”
May 7, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
This gent has a knowledge of spirits second to none, but he’s now also found a new vocation with his “tales by the riverbank” blog. He’s passionate about fishing and cars but also used to run an antiques shop in Sussex. If you want to go fishing, Gary’s the man to go with.
April 28, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
He was labeled “Baron Von Essen” but evidence of his pedigree failed to surface. Starting in 1990, this buccaneer built up a collection of 26 luxury hotels but the £300m empire, developed with loans from bankers who plainly asked very few questions, collapsed in 2011. Since then, instead of quietly going to ground, he’s bought … Continue reading “Andrew Davis”
