Showing 1–16 of 247 resultsSorted by latest

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:

 

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

 

An Outstanding Rare Late 17th Century Oak and Elm Primitive Windsor Armchair - Wales  1697

An Outstanding Rare Late 17th Century Oak and Elm Primitive Windsor Armchair – Wales 1697

An outstanding and rare late 17th Century Oak and Elm primitive Windsor armchair – Wales. The slanted upright plank back slotted through the single plank bowed arm on four bobbin turned supports joined to the elm saddle seat raised by four tapered out swept legs. Dated 1697 with the initials later gouged out and showing signs of very old repairs including shaped iron braces applied by hand made nails.

instagram reel

Note: This chair is worthy of a museum and will probably never leave my personal collection. I have had the chair photographed in complete detail to display on my website and to be included in a future publication.

Sat in our dining room corner, appearing like a sculpture for many years, now sits in my apartment bedroom ✨

Photographed by Russell Winnell Photography.

AA0803

H.109cm W.62cm D.63cm

Short story on the age of some rare pieces.

Short story on the age of some rare pieces.

I saw an interesting story on researching the age of timber yesterday on Logan and Angelina’s @ourdollarhouse. Made me think of a few pieces I’ve sold and still have. This is a short story on the age of some rare pieces.

Being a semi retired antique and art dealer, specialising in furniture from that 16th – 20th century, I’ve had many pieces between 500 – 300 years old. Coming to mind,
One outstanding early 16th century Flemish oak credence table from 1520.
A small first half 17th century English oak livery cupboard 1600 – 1640
(both sold to the same Western District family)
an early to mid 17th century English oak refectory table 1600 – 1650, the thick removable cleated top, one single plank! Also graffitied T.A.S. 19/7/13, could’ve been scratched 1713 or 1813, I’d say 1713, due to the soft worn edges.
Truly amazing having this history in my hands. Actually, I recently bought that table back after selling to a friend 25 years ago!
I also sell art from 14th – 20th centuries. I have several large unused pages from a book of hand coloured copper engravings from 1686, actually by Hendrick Draakestein, how’s that for history. So the oak tree used for that 1520 credence table would have been at least 150 years old, so planted at least 1380. The wide plank of ok on the refectory table planted at least 1500.

Looks like we share a deep passion for history and timbers.

I also mentioned the 17th century paper I have from a book of botanical art by Hendrick Draakestein 1686, wonderful to have.

Photography by Russell Winnell Photography

20th century Australian Regal Mashman drip glazed display bowl.

20th century Australian Regal Mashman drip glazed display bowl.

A decorative new find.

20th century Australian Regal Mashman drip glazed display bowl. Beautiful lines.

Also my personal small collection of Drip Glazed, Australian Deco Regal Mashman pottery. Always loved them.
18th century English George III country oak low standing chest of drawers.
SOLD chest and collection in my closing sale.

Rare 19th century French solid kingwood 'whatnot'

Rare 19th century French solid kingwood ‘whatnot’

THIS ITEM HAS SOLD

Today I cleaned and re wax finished this unusual feature piece. I also re touched the original steel gilt dragons.

This rare 19th century French solid kingwood whatnot is certainly a work of cabinetmaker, leader of Japonism, Gabriel Viardot (1830-1904).

It is surmounted by a varnished polished bronze dragon that is frequently found in the cabinetmaker’s production.

The lower part also has shelves whose upright is decorated with a wrapped dragon in varnished polished bronze.

H.98cm
W.69cm
D.40cm

Changing my art around today..

Changing my art around today..

And selling a few pieces to another dealer, this beautiful pair of bronze sculptures with figured elm bowls being one.

Thought I’d hang the large Oil Painting on canvas, “Posh Girl” with Badminton racket, 1891, Thomas Faed.

Thomas Faed.  Scotland.  1826 – 1900. (Needing a few touch ups)

With a couple of unusual late 19th century lithographs dedicated to the palm family.

ALLPRESS :: MOIR Birds Revisited

Image references from Jamie’s book of birds. ‘Birds. The Art of Ornithology’

Watercolour on 100% Arches cotton paper.
~50 x 63cm rough cut ‘deckle’ edges.

One great thing about working from a warehouse is, playing one of my top 10 favourite albums all day, today was,
Splendor Solis, The Tea Party. So many of my favourite songs on this album, especially “The River”
I’ve been blessed to see The Tea Party many times over the past 25 plus years. I’ve taken my children and many very special friends, even wonderful Niko for his first ever concert ✨
A few years ago I booked five tickets for myself, Allie, James, Charlie & Luke,
Went to check the date, had already been!!! One of the bummers re shisen memory!

Charlie, Luke and I saw Jeff Martin (lead singer) at the Brunswick Ballroom recently. So many special memories. I’m truly blessed…

You’re welcome to call into my warehouse one day, enjoy a coffee (my shout) seeing beautiful antiques & art and play some amazing music together…

I’m not your usual antique/art dealer.

19th-century Chinese export side/sewing tables

19th-century Chinese export side/sewing tables

I’m cleaning up this matched pair of 19th century Chinese export side tables to sell. Couldn’t wait until I’m finished to take photos last night in workshop.
So here they are…

19th-century Chinese export side/sewing tables are highly decorative, functional lacquer work tables crafted for Western markets, featuring black lacquer with gilt chinoiserie scenes, fitted interiors, and intricate pedestal bases with animal paw feet

Typically manufactured using wood, papier-mâché, and lacquer, with surfaces showcasing intricate gold painting (gilt) depicting Chinese figures, pavilions, and landscapes.

They often feature a rectangular hinged top opening to a fitted interior with numerous compartments and ivory-fitted items. The table is frequently supported by two turned pillars (“lyre-form” supports) resting on carved feet (often lion/dragon paws).

They were popular imports from China to Europe and America during the 19th century, showcasing a blend of traditional Chinese craftsmanship and Western functional requirements.

1820 – 1880

H.72 W.63 D.44

No doubt will post these again once completed…

I’ve sold many of these over the years, search Chinese Export to see.