Jamie Allpress – by Carolyn McDowell – The Culture Concept Circle
“Every now and then my long-term customers receive a nice surprise, something they purchased in the 1970s, say an English oak dresser that broke their bank at $500 is now retailing for between $20,000 to $30,000. These experiences make my business very satisfying.
The next day, on my way in to the shop, I have an appointment to advise on placing furniture and art with a leading decorator in a wonderful home that is still a blank canvas”.
Rearranging my showroom is always a pleasurable experience. Bringing new pieces of stock into the mix, moving something, replacing a mirror with art, changing the ceramics etc…
Period oak furniture, English country furniture, 16th Century English oak coffer, French provincial furniture, 19th Century Chinese screen, Armoire, Coffee table, Early 18th Century English oak dresser base,Pewter, Green majolica, Italian majolica, 18th Century corner cabinet, Masons, Country oak wine tables x 7, Dough bin, Petrin, Elizabeth Blackwell, Martin Tighe, Windsor armchair, Ceramic jugs, 19th Century landscapes, 19th Century french gilt mirror and more in the back room of shop…
Recently when returning a wine table I had restored for a couple, I noticed a beautiful 19th century French marble female statue.
Jim’s 88, he told me this was his first purchase aged 12. Jim’s equally wonderful wife Judith is 80.
Every time I visit them I learn more fascinating stories of their lives together, true romantics indeed.
Gives me a lot of hope, that’s for sure.
They have a fantastic collection of 18th-19th century furniture, art and ceramics.
Jim then showed me Norman Lindsay and Streeton watercolours he had purchased before they were famous.
It’s always nice going to customers homes that have a good eye for art and furniture.
I’ve sold them several pieces, including this 18th century English figured walnut writing bureau and 18th century English country oak chest of drawers.
My son Charlie and his girlfriend Victoria helped me deliver recently, I wanted them to see true romance still alive after around 60 years of marriage.
Such a wonderful business to be in. So many beautiful, fascinating people I meet daily…
These natural shapes and colours blend with period furniture so well, whereas bright loud flowers can take the attention away from the piece or entire display.
Well, that’s how I see the scheme of things…
These are ‘Buddha’s Hand’
From East Asia.
They sit so well on 18th-19th century English pewter chargers and compliment my beautiful 18th century English country oak chest of drawers.
As well as the Mid 17th century hand coloured copper engraving ’pseudo struthium’ by Basil Besler 1640 (above).
Loving my time spent creating displays in my showroom.
18th Century English country oak and walnut X-banded chest of drawers AA2128
The rectangular walnut x-banded oak top, above two short, then three long walnut x-banded, cock-beaded drawers, having brass stuart-drop handles.
The serpentine shaped tilt top, retaining the original rear brass catch. Above an ebonised and gilt decorated support column, resting on shaped out-swept legs.
Still to be cleaned up, old chips black wax filled and coloured over.
An exceptional watercolour by Mali Moir.
In my opinion one of Australia’s most exceptional versatile artists. From botanicals to charcoals to portraits in any medium.
It’s always wonderful working with and selling for her
ALLPRESS ANTIQUES @ MELBOURNE – THE PAST FOUNDING THE FUTURE
‘Antiques are timeless classics that look wonderful in contemporary settings’*
Gaining and enjoying a sensitivity to a timeless design aesthetic has been part of the passionate life journey of New Zealand born Melbourne based antiques dealer Jamie Allpress. It began when he was only 11 years of age, working after school in an antique shop in the beautiful surroundings at Dunedin in New Zealand. It is also where he first learned the skill of maintaining original finishes, hand graining, colouring and wax finishing as he embraced the concepts of conservation and restoration of fine furniture.
