Decorative Italian Murano hand blown green domed vase I’ve been very lucky to acquire two; the other is blue. I’ll take one home to see if I can fit it into my ‘becoming very packed’ apartment. So, either one or both will be sold. 35x18cm Last quarter 17th-century hand-coloured copper engraving ‘Nilicamaram’ by Hendrik Draakestein 1686 hangs behind. With contemporary glass ball on brass retro style lamp. Resting on an early 19th century French Burr Elm & Fruitwood Dough bin/Petrin C1800.
Two Unusual Large 19th Century English Wedgewood Black Basalt Bowls 35.5 x 7.5cm 41.5 x 9cm Something different to place into your living room. Imagine beautiful oranges piled inside.
17th Century English Bronze Skillet/Cauldron Having old damage to the out-swept lip C.1640 H.22.5cm W.28cm
Quick Restoration of a customers Dining Table I called into a customers last night with a few colours and waxes and cleaned up their table.
Decorative 19th Century Lilac English Salt Glaze Jug A wonderful antique English jug or pitcher from the mid 1800s. with a stippled lilac background, a wide spout, reeded handle, and grapes with vines and bows in relief on the surround. My best guess is Samuel Alcock of Cobridge, Staffordshire, whose pottery produced beautiful molded jugs. H.18cm W.11cm D.14cm Below is a wonderful article written and published by my beautiful friend Carolyn McDowell, passed away 2019. She created thecultureconceptcircle.com Jamie Allpress of Allpress Antiques at Malvern in Melbourne, enjoys collecting charming ceramic jugs, which were originally created to hold liquid. I share his passion, especially for well-shaped jugs that can be used to hold fresh flowers stylishly. See article here “Jamies Jugs”
A shipment of French and Italian chandeliers A shipment of French and Italian chandeliers arrived from France today, most hanging in showroom. Note: still to be cleaned and re wired to Australian standards. A striking 19th century French brass and crystal twelve branch, with three globes above and one below. Italian Maria Theresa crystal harp chandelier. French brass and crystal eight branch chandelier. French branch and crystal chandelier. All will be restored next month.
Easter Saturday at 1425 Always great to chat, have coffee and advise on sizing down, furniture restoration or to sell something beautiful.
Visiting Customers over Easter I visited nearby customers today, to see the framing Vicki Hutchins did for the three 18th century Elizabeth Blackwells I sold them. While there I enjoyed some of their other pieces, including the decorative 18th century French walnut panetiere and petrin/dough bin/jardinier. Three beautiful Botanicals, newly framed. Elizabeth Blackwell (nee Blachrie) was among the first women to achieve fame as a botanical illustrator. She was born in Aberdeen in about 1700, but moved to London after she married. She undertook an ambitious project to raise money to pay her husband’s debts and release him from debtors’ prison. Her project was a book called ‘A Curious Herbal’. She learned that physicians required a reference book which documented the medicinal qualities of plants and herbs. In order to develop the publication she examined and drew specimens of plants available in the Chelsea Physic Garden. Sir Hans Sloane provided financial support to publish ‘A Curious Herbal’. Elizabeth Blackwell is notable for being one of the first botanical artists to personally etch and engrave her own designs. This saved the expense of hiring a professional engraver. In total, the enterprise took Blackwell six full years to complete and in the end she was able to release her husband from prison. ‘A Curious Herbal’ was published between 1737 and 1739. The book contained the first illustrations of many odd-looking, unknown plants from the New World.
19th Century French Provincial Oak Side Table 19th Century French Provincial Oak Side Table. Three plank moulded top above a large moulded narrow drawer with a brass turned handle Resting on bold turned legs, joined by a matching turned ‘H’ stretcher Having a central turned finial Good overall colour and patination C.1880 H.69cm W.75cm D.59cm
An early 19th Century English Oak Trestle An early 19th Century English Oak Trestle having a thick warped single plank seat resting on rectangular corner – chambered legs, joined by a pegged ‘H’ stretcher. C.1800 H.63cm W.170cm D.40cm
Easy Dining Room Upgrade – Remarkable Improvement! Shaun Rodwell helped me deliver this farmhouse table yesterday afternoon. Looked fantastic! Last photo was the one we replaced. Huge improvement and very happy customer… You’ll also notice a delightful Norfolk Chest, I sold to her a few years ago. Still shining proud in the living room. (AA1818) The well patinated three plank cleated top above a slight end moulded plain frieze, housing a long drawer to each end, resting on square tapered legs.‘Perfect as a home desk’ This table’s been my shop desk for some time…
Masons on Oak, Elm, Chestnut, Walnut, Fruitwoods & Country Furniture When dressing the 16th – 19th century English and European Oak, the first thing I think of is Masons Ironstone. They blend so well together. A lot blends with Country furniture, Japanese Imari, English or French Green Majolica, Pewter, Stoneware, Parian Ware, Antique and Contemporary Glass, Modern Ceramics, Australian Pottery, Treen etc. But, as I said, Masons are like wearing classic fashion items, they always look right. Like the Little Black Dress, Cashmere Jumper or Black Blazer, Single Breasted tailored Suit. Timeless.
1686 – 1986 Notice how even a retro made semi Chippendale style dining chair can match so well with a striking piece of art 300 years older. Contemporary framing can completely change the look of a copper engraving, painting, lithograph, even old photos. It’s not hard. These chairs were unattractive, dark and had shocking patterned upholstery. Once again, it’s not too hard to improve a chair. I have these in a window display this week. Quite eye catching, along with the descriptions of both. As always it’s important to create interesting window displays