Showing 49–64 of 89 results
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.
Always great to chat, have coffee and advise on sizing down,
furniture restoration or to sell something beautiful.
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.
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…
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.
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
Such a busy day, as Saturdays usually are.
Phoenix Smith helped me rearrange the showroom today,
between serving customers and debating what’s going where…
We have so much fun most Saturdays. Some people shine.
The art still requires some rearranging, distancing etc…
I’d only just rearranged the centre, when a decorator friend
popped in and purchased the fantastic 18th century English oak cricket table
(No photo)
Interior designers count for about 1/4 of my sales.
Thanks Alex x
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.
Lana Samuels & Marty Fox did a fantastic job. Also due to photographers not permitted to do their work, my great friend and exceptional photographer Russell Winnell supplied photographs he had previously taken for me.
Aprox ten days on the market and SOLD!
Professional service to ourselves and the purchasers closed the deal!
Sadly the buyers already have a lot of their own pieces so won’t purchase the furniture, art and lighting, that ever so graciously dressed our home over the past 20 years.
As my showroom and store rooms packed, I’ve decided to sell mostly online. Between Instagram & my website allpressinc.
I’ll post many special pieces over the next few days.
I’m also pricing to sell!!!
Any enquiries, email or call me.
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.
Read more below…
Article by Henry Buckenham – Allpress Inc – Australian Period Home Style Magazine.
Cover photo and photos by Russell Winnell of Jamie Allpress’ rearrangement of the William Johnston Collection 2010
[ View Original Article ] (PDF)
Written by Jamie Allpress
“Keep it simple when framing period art so that the frame doesn’t take away from the art itself”
[View Original Article] (PDF)
A few Favourites
Antiques dealer Jamie Allpress looks back on some of his most memorable projects over the years and the connections he has made as a result
This fair had the largest participating list of antique dealers we have ever gathered together.
The opening night had all proceeds going to UNICEF Australia.
I had many beautiful items prepared for the fair including dressers, wine tables, chairs, botanicals and period to contemporary art.
The fair also showcased an exciting new concept by myself and Mali Moir (artist)
“beautiful drawings of objects of virtu”