Wine has always been a part of an English gentleman’s meal. In the past it was considered safer to drink than the water…. and to do so with style was important. Glasses were once pretty basic, but as the Georgian period continued, they became works of art. So too did the presentation of the beverages;…
The ‘Water Lily’ is the boldest & most beautiful pattern Wedgwood produced in the early 19th century. Why is it called ‘Darwin’s’? And who designed it? The answer is fascinating!
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…
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,…
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…
They are both tinglaze- but did you know there is a difference between ‘Delft’ and ‘delft’…. ? ‘Tinglaze’ describes the pottery products with a thick lead glaze containing an opaque white made from the oxide of tin. The result is the body of coarse buff-coloured pottery is covered with a pleasing glossy white, similar to…
Solid silver miniature sculptures….. Rarely seen, these solid silver handles are sculptural works of art. They are Dutch, date to the mid-17th century, and have a fascinating lineage we can trace back to Renaissance Italy and the collections of the Dutch master Rembrandt himself. St George & the Dragon… see it here>> “Fingers were made…
Formerly known as Swatow Wares…. A selection of Zangzhou pieces, either from the Binh Thuan wreck (1608) or of the exact type recovered from it in 2002. Zangzhou (Changchow) is a major production centre for this type of distinct porcelain body, and appears to have been focused on the export market to South-East Asia in…
Victorian Entrepreneur John Joseph Mechi (1802-80) was born in London, the city of opportunity – and his story shows all the ups & downs in the life of an entrepreneur. John-Joseph-Mechi 1808-1880 As suggested by his name, his father was Italian, and employed in the household of George III, marrying a local girl. He claimed connections…
