A Row about Rowing! This group of silverplate trophies are an interesting insight into the origin of Australian’s obsession with Sporting Events, which were used as a means of bringing the newly established colonial communities together and giving them a sense of ‘Pride of Place’ that is still very active today. Moorabool recently discovered this…
A Japanese Goldsmith’s Masterpiece As the world watches the competition for Olympic Gold in Tokyo, we have a 100-year-old masterpieces of Japanese goldsmith’s work to share. A remarkable Damascene ‘evening bag’, Gold, Silver inlaid into Iron Japanese Gold Case This temple, with Mt Fuji in the background, Opening reveals a mirror with panel of birds…
Some fascinating ancient boxes, just released on Moorabool.com We’re pleased to offer a small selection of South-East Asian ceramic boxes, fresh to Moorabool.com. These pottery and porcelain objects were produced in vast quantities in certain places as trade goods, and as a result are found all across South-East Asia. Khmer bird pot, 12th century The…
A fascinating recent discovery was this stunning little casket, or tea caddy. It has a terrific tale to tell, and even has a link to a great name in English ceramics, John Dwight of Fulham. Prince Rupert of the Rhine, by John Dwight of Fulham, c. 1678 Made from a golden toned oak, it has…
We are always fascinated by the origins of things…. when and where did it all begin? In the porcelain world, it was of course China, around 1,000 years ago. This was so foreign and magical to the Europeans that pieces which made the perilous journey across the globe were only affordable by the most wealthy,…
John Rosenberg with his first ‘Antique’ – a Staffordshire spill, purchased around 1950! With sadness we note the passing of John Rosenberg, founder of Moorabool Antiques, after a short illness on Friday 19th June. He went to his first auction aged 7, with his Grandmother. This was at ‘Kerleys Auctions’, Geelong; Aged 80, he was…
Moorabool is often a place of meeting, both for people who enjoy Antiques – and for the Antiques themselves! We have occasionally been guilty of ‘match-making’ in the Antique world, discovering pieces that were quite literally made to be together…. but somehow became separated. It’s a thrill to re-unite pieces. Ready for the harvest…..? In…
A fascinating fresh item at Moorabool is this tinglaze plaque – inscribed & dated ‘Della Vittoria / 1619’. It depicts a Madonna and Child, with her arm supporting a spear/staff from which flutters a banner with a cross. A depiction of a crowned Madonna & Child, set in a wall in the village of Sommana,…
