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A Rare French retro fibreglass sealed fabric centre table, in Autumn tones with birds and foliage.  

A Rare French retro fibreglass sealed fabric centre table, in Autumn tones with birds and foliage.  

Below the circular top reveals the falling fabric continuing on to form the base.
Provenance: The table was selected by notable decorator Colin Bowman when both Madame Verna and he travelled to America for the furnishing of Verbu Lodge in early 1982.
(Video to come, Monday)
I restored the base this week as it had a little marking and the lower half had faded near flat.
So I cleaned back, coloured out the damages, then re varnished the entire base to match better with the top.
Such a dramatic difference, you’ll see better in the photos.
This table is a one off.
H.73cm
Dia.124cm
Included in my 50% reduced closing SALE.
$9,500 reduced to $4,750
Re completing an Antique Mirror.

Re completing an Antique Mirror.

My customer that bought the yew wood drop side table recently, pointed out an 18th century antique French Régence carved giltwood wall mirror she bought elsewhere, had a replaced central mirror, the fake ageing spoilt the overall.

Notice photo 5, fake age. She’s an aesthete like myself and everything’s perfect within her home. I told her I’ve saved mirrors since before I opened 1990. I even knew the one that would suit best.

I went back to the workshop and located the one I was thinking of, a 19th century English carved mirror back.
Made me happy to finally make use of this, that I’d bought around 30 years ago. Dealers hold so much stock, materials, veneers ( hundreds of sheets of veneer) anyway back to the story.

I called David Davies, he worked with me on and off for decades, he cuts old mirrors and glass, it’s fascinating to watch. But nail biting, as to get the corners rounded, he has to use pliers, won’t say anymore, but my teeth are still hurting from the cracking!!

Anyway, he cut the mirror successfully, note: the other 2/3 of the mirror remains in my warehouse.
Let me know if you could use a piece.

Very happy customer ✨

Silver mixed media painting on canvas with bronze resting in the centre Pind Kongklom 2013

Silver mixed media painting on canvas with bronze resting in the centre Pind Kongklom 2013

This piece of art is quite unique, I purchased two paintings from this artist at an overseas gallery 2013, kept this and sold the other, that you can see on an earlier post, including all the other pieces of art they purchased.

I enjoy the unique methods the artist created, certainly creates a mood wherever he hangs.
You’ll notice in my photos, how the piece changes in different lighting, I love the effects that vary.
For the past few years in the living room of my apartment, I’ve had both retro lamps either side, I love the more dramatic effects.

I’ve enjoyed having this painting since 2013. It’s featured in shows, window and shop displays and spent the past six years on my apartment.

I’ve decided to change a few pieces, this is one.

Text or call me for details.

150 cm x 145 cm

A rare late 20th century, Italian Smoky Glass Bowl

A rare late 20th century, Italian Smoky Glass Bowl

Attributed to Rasteli, Italy.

The endless beauty of glass

A substantial hand formed glass bowl with a softly rounded body and a thick, undulating rim. The darker smoky tone of the rim creates a strong contrast against the lighter, more transparent body below, giving the piece depth and a quiet sculptural presence. The rim is intentionally uneven, rising and falling in gentle waves, which reinforces its organic, tactile quality.
Heavy in the hand and refined in silhouette, it works equally well as a centrepiece, vessel, or standalone object.
Dimensions

Height 14 cm
Diameter 23 cm

Very good vintage condition.
•  No chips, cracks, or structural damage
•  Minor surface wear and fine scratches consistent with age and careful use
•  Original maker’s mark no longer present

Late Tudor / early Renaissance carved oak panels (circa 1520–1560), presented within a later Arts & Crafts period outer frame (late 19th / early 20th century).

Late Tudor / early Renaissance carved oak panels (circa 1520–1560), presented within a later Arts & Crafts period outer frame (late 19th / early 20th century).

This is a classic composite, or “married,” construction of the kind long recognised in the trade: a later carcass carefully built to showcase much earlier salvaged fragments. The front facade consists of highly distinctive Tudor-period carved oak panels that capture the transitional phase between Late Gothic and Early Renaissance design in England.
The architectural arrangement of the facade is divided into vertical framed panels that derive directly from traditional medieval joinery. Arcaded structures contain primitive figures, characteristic of late medieval and Henry VIII-period carving, flanking a central panel of stylised, interwoven geometric motif. The three principal panels display a deeply incised geometric design, with trees or vines appearing on the side panels. Figures stand beneath carved archways in a manner strongly influenced by continental Renaissance designs that reached England and Flanders in the early sixteenth century, a style often described as “Romayne” or architectural caryatid carving.
These panels may originally have formed part of a fifteenth- or early sixteenth-century marriage chest (cassone), or been taken from Tudor oak wainscoting or dismantled bed heads in manor houses. Their surface shows severe age-related degradation, chipping and deep vertical checking on the lower sections, creating a heavily eroded, dry texture that contrasts markedly with the smoother structural frame surrounding them. Historic borer trails are present, as is typical of early oak. These are long extinct, with stable oxidisation and no evidence of active infestation.
The outer frame (stiles, rails and top lid) is a reconstruction of the Arts & Crafts period, when craftsmen held a particular reverence for medieval and Renaissance joinery and routinely salvaged original fragments from decaying estates to create new, functional pieces.
Two conservation options are under consideration: careful removal of the Tudor panels for independent conservation, sealing, wax finishing and reverse-framing on an antique velvet-covered timber panel (in the manner of the sixteenth-century Flemish oak panel of a rising angel previously offered), or retention of the complete composite structure with gentle restoration of the front panels and wax finishing of the surrounding coffer. Both approaches respect the historical integrity of these early carvings.
A rare and evocative survival of the transitional Tudor period, offered with complete transparency as a composite construction of genuine early panels within a later frame.

Panel
42 x 95cm

Coffer
H.66
W.120cm D.36cm

Call or text me for further details or to arrange a viewing.

Pair of Italian retro Magis Lyra barstools, designed by Sigurdur Thorsteinsson

Pair of Italian retro Magis Lyra barstools, designed by Sigurdur Thorsteinsson

Designed for Design Group Italia in 1990 and manufactured by the Italian brand Magis.

This classic postmodern design features an organic, curved bentwood plywood seat shell combined with a futuristic, tapered three-legged tubular chrome steel base.

Because of their enduring popularity, they were also famously distributed globally by Herman Miller.

The stools are in great condition.

Selling for a friend $750 pair

Happy to deliver inner city No charge…
Otherwise, pick up St Kilda West or North Fitzroy.

Dressing customers walls, first peices

Dressing customers walls, first peices

Last night after closing shop I visited my customers home, they recently purchased some beautiful art from me, as Julian Stafford, Picture Rail Systems hung them yesterday.

They look perfect for the spaces intended and Julian did a fantastic job!

(more below)

 

A day in the life of an antique dealer.

A day in the life of an antique dealer.

Had to bank a cheque this morning, sold a particularly nice small sized Regency style chest of drawers yesterday, several of my customers still use cheques.
Drove down to Acland St to deposit and had a coffee at Abbey Road Cafe.
My friend, the prettiest, grooviest, waitress in Melbourne, Simonè, always brings me the perfect coffee… (more below)
First half 19th century French fruitwood farmhouse table/desk.

First half 19th century French fruitwood farmhouse table/desk.

Enjoyed my linguini bolognaise from @mariaspasta while photographing today.

Also reading up on 18th century Georgian wine tables, seeing a few similarities to many I’ve sold over the decades.

The well patinated faded three plank top, above a plain skirt, with chestnut lined cutlery drawer to one end, with the original shield shaped escutcheon, originally had a lock, unusual for a farmhouse table, so may have been made as a desk.

Resting on square tapered legs.

76 x 145 x 67

see reel here

Purchased in Normandy over a decade ago, finally restored. I tend to live in “Country Time”

Shahsavan Kilim, Undyed wool, Hand woven in Iran.

Shahsavan Kilim, Undyed wool, Hand woven in Iran.

508-B

Selling this attractive kilim $1,750

see reel here

Shahsavan Kilim, Undyed wool, Hand woven in Iran

Neutral earthy tones of brown, cream, and taupe with delicate fringed ends.

288 x 184cm

Remarkable the difference a stylish rug can make to a room. The warm tones have beautifully disguised the over busy floor tiles. Changing the entire feel of the display space.

Thank you Amir and Omid @behruzstudio

Behind the lens in Fitzroy:

Behind the lens in Fitzroy:

Yesterday, I went to look at an 18th century English oak gateleg table top to restore, and ended up photographing the private customers home interior.

see instagram reel

A home that feels less like a styled space and more like a deeply soulful, living canvas. The home belongs to Elizabeth: a fellow aesthete, a kindred Cancerian spirit, and a profound lover of trees.

Every corner tells a story of an intimate connection to the natural world. On the walls hang powerful, deeply moody graphite tree drawings of her own creation.

That intense reverence for timber, texture, and history flows effortlessly from her art right into her incredible collection of period furniture, beautifully layered together over the years from the Allpress Antiques collection also purchased from her travels around the world.

Watch the Reel to see how history and art intertwine in her sanctuary:

 

Late 90s, rare 'one off' pieces

Late 90s, rare ‘one off’ pieces

Going back in time to the late mid to late 90s, still at 1425.

instagram reel

Rare one off pieces, early 18th century Italian walnut side chair, early 18th century English oak gate-leg table, rare 18th century French storage settle of smaller proportions – sold in the 70s by John Borthwick, then by me to Bill and Kate and they still have in their Ocean Grove home today.

Early 18th century Italian walnut commode, 19th century Anglo Indian painted rocking horse with removable head and moving testicles (certainly a rare piece, purchased by very generous god parents) a perfect example of an early 17th century English oak court cupboard, sold early 90s, then re sold for the owner early 2000s.

An unusually large first period Dr Wall Worcester jug (I purchased this for my private collection late 1980s and have used in displays for four four decades (now selling) search – stock AA0619.

18th century English country oak tilt top wine table (I’ve sold many dozens over the years, every one quote individual, that’s the beauty of county furniture ✨

I have about four remaining in stock in my warehouse, early 18th century English oak side table, early 18th century English oak hanging corner cupboard (sold so many over the years, each one unique and beautiful.

I have a stunning bow fronted country oak hanging corner cupboard to hang and photo for website in a few weeks, late 17th century English oak chest, with later 18th century bracket feet (one of many dozens, look through my archives on website)

17th century English oak side table, first half 18th century English bow-fronted chinoiserie decorated hanging corner cabinet, mid 18th century English oak writing bureau of small proportions,

18th century Italian walnut sculpture of cupids (Sold for the late one and only Gary Kay – Antique Decor) a very well missed character in the antiques and art trade, George III country oak display dresser, early 19th century English oak book/clothes press on stand (very special and still housed in Ocean Grove✨ actually the other week I found another in my warehouse, but without a side table base, very nice and on website soon)

 

Some of my favourite 17th century pieces in stock.

Some of my favourite 17th century pieces in stock.

Some of my favourite 17th century pieces in stock Thought I’d share a few with you. Enjoy!

instagram reel

 

A pair of late 17th Century oak side chairs, North West England.

Each with rectangular scroll carved panelled back with scroll cut and guilloche, carved cresting embraced by pyramid finial surmounted uprights, solid seat on block and turned supports. Jointed by a turned front stretcher and multiple side stretchers.

1680 – 1700