Apollo Magazine - Then and Now

For inspiration we keep old interiors, arts and design magazines. Recently I came across an October issue of Apollo Magazine dating back to 1966, which featured paintings, furniture, book reviews and design, and an array of ads for high-end antique dealers

Founded in 1925 and published monthly, Apollo is one of the world’s oldest and most respected magazines on the visual arts. It covers everything from antiquities to contemporary work, as well as providing in-depth discussion of the latest art news and debates; exclusive interviews with the world’s greatest collectors and artists; expert information on the market, authoritative guidance on collecting, and reviews and previews of exhibitions worldwide

While Apollo magazine today is still current, there is a huge difference from the content that we see in 1966. While the Apollo of today focuses on Beyoncé donating jewelry to the V&A, or 40 artists under 40, there is a vast difference in content from 1966. In this issue there was a specific focus on 17th-18th century a nod back to Irish furniture crafted during that period, plaster works and Celtic-style carvings. On the cover above we can see a banqueting house, referred to as 'The Temple of the Winds', which was designed by James Stuart for Robert Stewart, later known as Lord Londonderry.

Many of the pieces photographed and featured in this issue show mahogany and walnut furnishings dating back as far as the 1730's. Many of these pieces have motifs such as claw feet, lion and goblin masks, and zoomorphic and botanic carvings, a vast difference from the more minimalist trends of today. We can see these motifs shown in the chair below, from the Malahide collection.