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”.
This morning I farewelled an old friend and business associate.
Geoff Fiske was my first antique dealer customer when I started my restoration business in my garage in Footscray in the 80s.
Geoff introduced me to John Ainger, E.J. Ainger Auctions.
Between them both they assisted my business by referring me to their customers to restore their furniture purchased at auction.
The shop I’m still in 32 years later, I opened three doors from Fiske Antique Galleries, Geoff’s shop.
Geoff Recommended I move from the suburbs into a larger workshop also having a shop to trade from.
Made great sense, as the rent was $50 more per week than the house I rented with my then newly wed first wife.
Geoff taught me a lot about exotic timbers and the correct terminologies to describe.
Also ceramics and objet d art.
Especially the complete meaning of the term Circa.
John Ainger gave the most suited eulogy for Geoff. John’s a true gentleman, as was Geoff.
Was also nice seeing associates I haven’t seen in a long time.
Rest In Peace Geoffery Fiske
& thank you for your friendship and support ✨
This twin bedroom design was inspired by a wilful little girl and her excitable younger sister.
A pleasant mid 19th century French fruitwood and oak side table.
The well patinated three plank moulded pear wood top, above an oak base.
The long single drawer retaining the original steel drop handle, resting on fine turned legs, joined by a matching turned ‘H’ stretcher, with a turned fruitwood central finial.
But I’m retiring in my own time.
I’m in no hurry, so probably about one year or so, as I have so much stock stored away to sell…
Reasons for retiring:
1. Premier and his $@&+% mates👎🏽.
Was going to retire a little later, he’s pushed things forward.
2. 31 years in business and 44 years in the trade!
It’s time to change and have a second life.
Most probably in Europe for two thirds year and Melbourne the rest.
So long as what’s his face is gone!
3. European history and architecture.
I can’t wait to see every inch of every country. Holidays have never been long enough.
4. Kids out of school, No more private school fees!! and I’m single! Yay!!!
So this is not a RUG SHOP closing down SALE, it’s a genuine retirement sale.
Pieces discounted between 20% – 50%
My stock is selling very quickly, so if you like something, come in.
I may keep this shop, even when overseas? There’s many other things I can do here…
Perfect location for anything unique and interesting.
I have many ideas…
Have a good look through my website and regular Instagram posts.
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.
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…
From time to time I’ll continue showing beautiful parts of beautiful pieces inside my showroom or home…
This afternoon my shop.
Stylish shapes and angles of the decorative arts & furniture said, here I am, show my beauty…
“Snapshots of the elegance of design”
This is what I will miss once I make my final sale of my final piece of stock in the next year or two…
A slow retirement is certainly the way I’ll remove myself from the antiques & art trade…
No hurry from me, suits my obvious ‘working in country time’ style of doing things.
I hope you enjoy the beauty as I do…
Today’s photos are from my showroom.
A Terns head and tip to a wave, from beautiful Art Deco Bronze.
‘Constantinople’ showing on a perfectly maintained Art Nouveau Terrestrial Globe. Now Istanbul, changed 1930.
Lower right corner of a decorative English Art Deco chinoiserie design mantle clock.
The tip of one of a pair of 19th century tusks. They originally belonged to a gong that was dismantled.
The shaped coloured and clear glass lower point, from a mid century Italian Murano chandelier.
Central carvings on a 19th century French, fruitwood, burr elm & oak dough bin.
The corner of a decorative 19th century Japanese scalloped edge charger.
The moving mouth and teeth of a mid century Hanging Face ‘Ivory Coast’
The cheeky smiling faded rosewood face of a 19th century Chinese door gong.
The silver face on handle of a 19th century Persian jug.
Stock in showrooms, in storage and from our recently sold family home are now to clear.
Always best to make an appointment, but I’m usually in 11.30am til 4.30pm Mon – Sat.
Window signs supplied by Luke Signs, fantastic service as always, thanks Luke.
