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22nd December -Fresh @ Moorabool.com


December 22nd, 2021.

Welcome to our ‘Fresh Stock’ update – these items are fresh to our stock , and fresh to this website.

It’s nearly Christmas!
Moorabool has been bustling with people sourcing special presents – the online aspect is no longer ‘Christmas’ valid, due to the postal time restrictions – but locals who can pop in are keeping us busy.

Celtic – Bronze Age – clasp, circa 800BC

We have also been putting a variety of Fresh items online, including some fascinating Antiquities and some fine porcelains, silver & glass. There’s a lot awaiting a photo opportunity or description to be published – so keep your eye on the ‘Latest Additions’ gallery.

Handsome Old Sheffield Plate ‘Cake Basket’, circa 1820, Fresh to Stock today

Now that Christmas is almost over, we have also started to progress with the new website setup. We didn’t want to risk any down-time while our valued customers were on the site securing special Christmas presents! In the New Year, you’ll see our New Website: an easier way to grasp the quantity & variety that makes up the stock at Moorabool Antiques.

New Years Day is the launch date for a fine selection of early porcelains, including Dr Wall Worcester, Sevres, and a selection of Bow and Derby figures.

Remember, we post world-wide at the most reasonable rates – ask for a quote.

See all the Latest Additions
See latest Antiquities >>

Fresh Stock

Here’s the latest for you…
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Latest Antiquities – Fresh @ Moorabool.com


December 15th, 2021.

We’ve been busy uploading a stash of fantastic Ancient Artifacts.

Roman Bronze Fittings
Roman Bronze Fittings & brooches

Many of these items were only ‘re-discovered’ during the recent months of lockdown, where we investigated the deepest storage rooms at Moorabool Antiques: here we found Paul’s accumulations of interesting artifacts, collected while in the UK as a student in the 1990’s. This was a time when metal detectors were becoming common, and every farmers field was apparently littered with delightful little bronze pieces from antiquity.

The Thames River in London was another prime hunting ground; after being used as a dump since prehistory, there was something from every period of history to be found there with a little effort.

Ancient Bronzes, and a rare Silver ‘Celtic’ Penannular Brooch

Paul was actively buying these small finds from the finders; anything they unearthed was their own to do with as they pleased, and while most would have a collection of their own, multiples or lesser pieces were happily sold off – and happily bought by Paul! Bundled up & shipped to Australia, with the intention of selling, they were forgotten about after the ‘big move’ of 2000, when we moved into our new premises. It was quite a pleasant shock to unearth a small crate, at the back of a store room, full of fascinating artifacts. Now the challenge is to catalogue, mount & present them online. We’re doing ‘spins’ of them as well, so plenty to see & enjoy if you like ancient items…

See all the latest Antiquities here >>

Remember, we post world-wide at the most reasonable rates – ask for a quote.

International postage is particularly unpredictable at the moment. We can use a superior service, such as UPS, which can have a UK/US shipment delivered within a few days – but the cost is considerably more, please ask for a quote if interested.
Australian deliveries can also be sent express, for slightly more, please ask.

Fresh Antiquities

Here’s the latest from the Past for you!

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11th December – Fresh @ Moorabool.com


December 11th, 2021.

Welcome to our ‘Fresh Stock’ update – these items are fresh to our stock , and fresh to this website.

French Bronzes
Fresh Delights @ Moorabool

Today we have a wide range of interesting potential Christmas Gifts – something for everyone!

There’s a small group of fine quality French bronzes, some delicate small pieces of ‘virtu’, and that gorgeous ‘doggy box’ with its googly eyes peering at you… how can you say ‘no’?

Chess, anyone?
Chess, anyone?

There’s a handsome chess set – Jaques, London, mid-19th century – and an incredible luxury boxed set of .950 standard Solid Silver teaspoons with very special sugar tongs, dating to circa 1900.

Luxury French Silver by Alphonse Debain
Luxury French Silver by Alphonse Debain


You’ll also find some really in-expensive pieces, the ‘extra presents’ we’re always looking for – such as a selection of Victorian pewter drinking tankards, many under $100. I use one on my desk here to keep the pens in.

Pewter Tankards
Pewter Tankards

Remember, we post world-wide at the most reasonable rates – ask for a quote.

Note: while we can post worldwide at reasonable rates, please aware delivery may be delayed due to covid shipping chaos.

We are expert at packing for a safe delivery of all our precious items…..

Fresh Stock

Here’s the latest for you!
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A Fine Welsh cwpwrdd deuddarn, dated 1694

This handsome large piece of early Oak furniture is sometimes called a ‘Court Cupboard’, although this should really refer to a more open version intended to display the wealth of a household for all to see. With its enclosed doors, this example fits the definition of ‘cwpwrdd deuddarn‘, meaning ‘cupboard two-piece’. This literally describes their construction, in two parts, a feature that was not necessary in a construction sense, but certainly a help when being moved – speaking from practical experience!

Oak Welsh Cupboard

They have their origins in the Medieval period, where a large, solid cupboard would act as a safe place to stash your valuables. Housed in the main chamber. they were the equivalent of a sideboard. You could keep all your pottery platters, mugs, the pewter – and in wealthier households, any silver plate that was needed to impress guests. The tops would surely have made a fine display space for status symbols such as nicely polished brassware and blue & white delft.

The Deuddarn presently at Moorabool Antiques, Geelong

What makes this example particularly appealing is the colour; it has a lovely honey tone, with an excellent patination. Some can appear ‘black’, and on closer examination, there is a layer of dark varnish over the oak. This varnish was a favorite of the Victorians who believed anything old, large & heavy had to be blackened to look authentic….

The date is original; it is wise to view such dates with scepticism, as they were also a favorite alteration of genuine pieces undertaken by the Victorians; however, the patination is consistent and the carving harmonious .

The initials are another part of the story; the represent a marriage, with the family name in the center starting with ‘F’. Their names were ‘W’ and ‘M’ – let’s call them ‘Wmffre & Megan Fluellen’. This lavish piece of furniture was commissioned for the well-to-do couple in 1694, quite possibly as a marriage piece.

Oak Welsh Cupboard

In the wonderful 2-volume book on ‘Welsh Furniture’ by Richard Bebb, it was a pleasant surprise to discover a remarkably similar example. Page 325 bears several deuddarn examples from different regions, but no. 567 stands out: when viewed next to our example, we see the same principal construction methods, the same details such as the pendants or ‘droppers’ on the upper corners, but most of all, the doors have the same carving. This elaborate series of scrollwork is almost Celtic in appearance, and this is no coincidence; a strong association with the distant past was always present amongst the Welsh, and their ancient pagan memories of ritual spirals representing eternal truths were surely echoed in these designs.

Oak Welsh Cupboard
#567: possibly Breconshire

The book places the origin of this piece as ‘possibly Breconshire’, a region of central Wales. Such opinions of regional styles are formed by furniture connoisseurs over a lifetime, depending on examining pieces that are in situ in undisturbed family farmhouses , and especially in the small local parish churches. What is fascinating is the dates found on both these very similar pieces. Our example is dated 1694; theirs is 8 years later, 1702. There are differences in the layout of the doors, and the doors on ours are all carved vs, just the top 3 of the illustrated. However, the similarities allow us to attribute this magnificent piece to ‘possibly Breconshire’, and isn’t it great to have an actual date – 1694 – rather than having to take a ‘Circa’ guess!

See this magnificent piece here >>
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5th December – Fresh @ Moorabool.com


December 5th, 2021.

Welcome to our ‘Fresh Stock’ update – these items are fresh to our stock , and fresh to this website.

The cwpwrdd deuddarn at Moorabool Antiques

Today, we have a fine group of Oak furniture, including the sensational Welsh ‘cwpwrdd deuddarn’ dated 1692, another dated 1655, an oak bureau, and several other Georgian oak pieces.

16th Century Nuremberg Alms Dish
16th Century Nuremberg Alms Dish

There’s an early ‘Alms’ dish, made in Nuremberg in the 16th century.

See the Alms Dish >>
Italian Sgraffito dish sated 1675
Italian Sgraffito dish sated 1675

A most notable piece is the sgraffito Italian dish, dated 1675 – a truly remarkable documentary piece recently discovered in Tasmania.

Read the Blog on the Court Cupboard >>
See the Italian Dated Dish >>
English Oak Cupboard dated 1655
English Oak Cupboard dated 1655

Dated pieces are always of particular interest, as they give us a reference point for dating other similar pieces. There’s another dated piece released today, an English Oak cupboard dated 1655. They are rare, and to have these significant pieces in stock is a great pleasure.

English Oak Cupboard dated 1655
English Oak Cupboard dated 1655
See this 1755 dated Oak Cupboard >>

Coming Soon! some lovely 18th century Porcelain….

We have a fine selection of very pretty 18th century porcelain, including Meissen and Royal Copenhagen tablewares, and a fine selection of figures – keep an eye on these ‘Fresh Stock’ posts, or join our email list to be notified when it is online.

Remember, we post world-wide at the most reasonable rates – ask for a quote.

LAST POSTAGE FOR CHRISTMAS DELIVERY:
Victoria – 10th December
NSW / QLD / SA – 3rd December
International – ASAP – overseas postage at normal rates is particularly unpredictable at the moment. We can use a superior service, such as UPS, which can have a UK/US shipment delivered within a few days – but the cost is considerably more, please ask for a quote if interested.
Australian deliveries can also be sent express, for slightly more, please ask.
See all the Latest Additions
See the latest Furniture

Fresh Stock

Here’s the latest for you!
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A new Spin on Antiques…

We’ve been busily working on a terrific new way of viewing our stock on Moorabool.com. You may have already noticed our photos are larger than before, and you can explore the pieces in greater detail by zooming in. While that’s a help, we have something even better to offer: Spins!

Spin Sample
Spin me – mouse or finger, both work well! And don’t forget you can zoom in….

As you’ll notice above, we can now take images from all sides and create a ‘spin’! This is perfect for turning something around to see the other side…. and you can zoom in also! The 18th century English enamel salt cellar above needs to be seen from every angle – and this new technique is perfect to show what it’s like in reality.

It does take a little time to set up, so we are doing fresh pieces and some older pieces, with more being added constantly.

If you just want to take a few pieces ‘for a spin’ – follow this link to the Tag ‘360’ – every item that has been done will appear in this gallery.

Have fun spinning!

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1st December – Fresh @ Moorabool.com


December 1st, 2021.

Welcome to our ‘Fresh Stock’ update – these items are fresh to our stock , and fresh to this website.

French ‘Sphinx’ deskset, circa 1880

Christmas is upon us! With December clicking over on the calendar, it’s time to get serious about those presents….
Moorabool is here to help, feel free to send a ‘request’, outline the sort of thing you’re after and the price – range, and we can come up with some possibilities to consider. While there’s a lot on our website, there’s just as much again not yet catalogued for us to look through for you.

Highlights posted today include a Dutch small hanging cupboard, a delightful watercolour by Bertha Rhodes titled ‘Haymaking’, a music stool & stunning beaded footstool, and an absolutely splendid Egyptian Revival desk set featuring a sphinx.

Bertha Rhodes ‘Haymaking’ , dated 1908

There’s a scattering of Antiquities, small Jewellery pieces, nice Victorian ceramics, all very good Christmas presents.

Remember, we post world-wide at the most reasonable rates – ask for a quote.

LAST POSTAGE FOR CHRISTMAS DELIVERY:
Victoria – 10th December
NSW / QLD / SA – 3rd December
International – ASAP – overseas postage at normal rates is particularly unpredictable at the moment. We can use a superior service, such as UPS, which can have a UK/US shipment delivered within a few days – but the cost is considerably more, please ask for a quote if interested.
Australian deliveries can also be sent express, for slightly more, please ask.
See all the Latest Additions
See the latest Antiquities

Fresh Stock December 1st

Here’s the latest for you!
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Anthony Vandyke Copley Fielding, an ‘Armchair Travelling-Artist’

In today’s world-wide situation, ‘Armchair Travel’ is a necessity. The difficulty in heading off on a grand tour is huge, and the likelihood of being marooned somewhere due to closed borders is high. Stick to google street view exploration for the moment!

A recent discovery at Moorabool reveals the idea has been around a long time. Finely detailed and depicting an ancient ruin in a dramatic landscape, the work is signed Copley Fielding.

Copley Fielding watercolour, Ruins at Delphi, circa 1820
Copley Fielding watercolour, Ruins at Delphi, circa 1820

Copley Fielding (1787-1855) was a very talented artist of the Georgian period. Born in the Midlands in 1787, he was the son of a portrait painter (Nathan Theodore Fielding), who gave him the inspirational ‘Vandyke’ name as tribute to the famous artist. The inspiration worked, as he showed strong talent at an early age. In 1810, he entered the Royal Academy schools, being taught by John Varley and becoming a close friend of William Blake. The same year he was an associate exhibitor of the Royal Society of Watercolours (RWS), later serving as President. In 1824 he won a gold medal at the Paris Salon, alongside Constable. He exhibited constantly in the RWS exhibitions, and a smaller number of his oil paintings at the Royal Academy.

Copley Fielding 'Delphi Ruins'
Copley Fielding ‘Delphi Ruins’
Anthony Vandyke Copley Fielding
(1787-1855)
National Portrait Gallery, London
-by Sir William Boxall 

Best known for his atmospheric ‘Romantic’ landscape views in the British Isles, and windswept seascapes, there are a small number of works in his repertoire depicting exotic overseas locations: Rome, Naples, and this example, the temples of Delphi in Greece. They are all imaginative – he never travelled out of Britain!

The scene in this work is the famous temple complex at Delphi, Greece. His direct inspiration would have been an artist’s sketch – it was a ‘top-10 destination’ for anyone with artistic ability on the ‘Grand Tour’, and in his RWS position he would have constantly come across people who had been there with their sketchbook. However, he has enhanced it to make it more impressive; the ruins are less ‘ruined’, the rounded form of the Tholos being remarkably intact, and the rectangular Temple of Apollo apparently still having its roof!

Anthony Vandyke Copley Fielding
Copley Fielding’s ‘View of Delphi’ at Moorabool Antiques, Australia

The title on the old mount it is in is most confusing, and perhaps illustrates the nature of Copley Fielding’s inspiration: there is no ‘Temple of Juno’ at Delphi, although the mountainous scene is clearly meant to be Delphi. Several temples of Juno elsewhere in the Classical world survived and were sketched, but all are standard rectangular constructions. Clearly something got lost in translation between sketchbook and watercolour brush, by either the original artist, or the mount-maker of this work.

Copley Fielding Signature
Copley Fielding’s Signature

The rare Copley Fielding depictions of foreign lands include Rome, Naples, Greece (such as ours) and exotic Middle-Eastern landscapes. They are all ‘flights of imagination’: he was a true ‘Armchair Travelling-Artist’.
How interesting that this work depicts the Temples at Delphi, regarded as the very center of the world by the ancient Greeks, the start and finish of all journeys.

Copley Fielding Landscape
Copley Fielding’s background landscape.

His works are represented in a large number of major collections around the world, including the V&A and the Tate, London, The Met NY, The Art Gallery of NSW, and our very own National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne.

This rare English Watercolour is now offered by Moorabool Antiques.

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30th November – Fresh @ Moorabool.com


November 30th, 2021.

Welcome to our ‘Fresh Stock’ update – these items are fresh to our stock , and fresh to this website.

Anthony Vandyke Copley Fielding
Copley Fielding’s ‘View of Delphi’ at Moorabool Antiques, Australia

Today it’s a varied group – from small jewellery pieces to a pair of large Cantonese vases, alongside a Mason’s Ironstone large & bizarre ‘Chinese’ vase & cover.
You’ll also find a little gem of a water colour by the highly respected Anthony Vandyke Copley Fielding, a rare subject matter with a blog post to elaborate on it here >>

Large Cantonese vases, c.1860
Large Cantonese vases, c.1860

Remember, we post world-wide at the most reasonable rates – ask for a quote.

See all Fresh Stock >>
See latest Antiquities >>
Read about the Copley Fielding watercolour >>
LAST POSTAGE FOR CHRISTMAS DELIVERY:
Victoria – 10th December
NSW / QLD / SA – 3rd December
International – ASAP – overseas postage at normal rates is particularly unpredictable at the moment. We can use a superior service, such as UPS, which can have a UK/US shipment delivered within a few days – but the cost is considerably more, please ask for a quote if interested.
Australian deliveries can also be sent express, for slightly more, please ask.

Fresh Stock

Here’s the latest for you!
Large Mason's Ironstone vase, c. 1820
Large Mason’s Ironstone vase, c. 1820
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A Scottish Lord’s stunning coffee pot & a Missing Mark found – OSP discoveries

This remarkable piece of design is Old Sheffield Plate- the laboriously-constructed technique used before silver plating was invented.

Roberts, Cadman & Co Old Sheffield Plate coffee pot c.1805
Roberts, Cadman & Co Old Sheffield Plate coffee pot c.1805


The simple form and lack of fussy details is a style more usually associated with the Art Deco period a century later- but here it is, in the early 19th century.
This is the essence of what Art Deco later copied to great effect.
Chronologically, in the evolution of the coffee pot, if you look at the earlier 18th century pieces and then the mid-19th century examples that came later, you can see what a special example this is, with its simple elegance.

There’s a crest on the side of the coffee pot – and it’s alway fun to find the original owner. Who were they? What did they do? and where did they use this remarkable piece?

The ‘Fetterlock’ crest.
The Grierson’s crest in ‘Fairburn’s Crests’ (1911 edition)

The curious stirup-like symbol has the motto “HOC SECURIOR” , meaning ‘safer by this’. It is actually a middle-ages ‘Fetterlock’, used to lock a horse against a post or tree. Several families were awarded the use of this in their heraldic crests, but only one conforms to the motto – the Griersons of Dumfriesshire. A quick browse through ‘Fairburn’s Crests ‘ confirms this to be the crest of the Grierson Clan of Scotland.

They have a long & proud part to play in Scottish history, closely associated with the powerful Douglas clan. They supported James IV, and suffered the same fate as him at the battle of Flodden in 1513. They were a ‘Jacobite’ clan: 200 years later, they supported James VI of Scotland, receiving a knightship in 1608. After the accession of James VII of Scotland (James II of England), the current clan leader, Robert Grierson, was made the Baronet of Lag. During the ‘Glorious Revolution’, they opposed the Prodestant William & Mary’s claim on the throne.

Roberts Cadman & Co ‘beehive’ version, 1805, note the same handle, base & spout, but with a ‘fruit’ knop and ribbed body.

When we examine this colourful history of the Grierson clan, we can narrow down the owner of this elegant coffee pot: Sir Robert Grierson, 5th Baronet of Lag, 1733- 1839. In his 106 years he saw a lot of changes – and after his initial military service, drew his entitled government ‘half-pay’ for the next 76 years!

His 1839 obituary in The Times is fascinating, declaring he was was “…fond of excercise in the open air, excelled in all sporting and athletic arts, and perhaps trod the moors consecutively for a longer period than any other man of rank and fortune that ever existed. His constitution was remarkably sound and vigorous; to sickness he was a stranger; never was confined to bed a single day, and only a few hours preceding his death talked of taking his usual carriage drive.”

He “…mingled little in public business, took no prominnent share in politics, avoided revelry and ostentation, managed with discretion the affairs of his estate, was of easy access, and lived beloved and respected by all, near or at a distance, whether of his own or inferior rank, down to the humblest of his tradesmen and servants…”.

So this very simple no-frills form of coffee pot was the perfect choice to be used by this no-frills Scottish country gentleman, on those chilly mornings in the impressive stone towerhouse he inhabited…… Rockhall, a 16th century tower house near Dumfries, which is now a superb Bed & Breakfast!

Rockhall, home of Sir Robert Grierson of Lag in 1805

It’s interesting to see the shape illustrated in the definitive book on Old Sheffield Plate by Bradbury, where a series of ridges cause it to become a ‘beehive’. Our example is a more refined version, and we can positively attribute it to the same firm, Roberts, Cadman & Co of Sheffield.

The group of coffee pots in today’s ‘Fresh Stock’ illustrate the change in fashion towards the end of the 18th century. Anyone familiar with Sterling Silver versions will see it’s exactly the same evolution; the Rococo angular forms giving way to the streamlined Classical forms at the turn of the 18th century. The 1805 Roberts Cadman & Co example is surely the most elegant design to appear – if we continued into the 19th century, before long the Regency and Victorian periods re-visited elaborate scrollwork and cumbersome decoration, and it isn’t until the end of the century that these pure forms are re-visited.

Another interesting Old Sheffield Plate example to be offered in this ‘Fresh Stock’ is a wine coaster, pierced with undulating panels in the Neo-Classical ‘Adams’ style. It has a most interesting hallmark, very much in the manner of a Sterling Silver hallmark, but lacking the lion of Sterling Standard. A look through Bradbury shows up part of the mark in his ‘Unknown Marks’ section – but our mark has an extra clue: the initials of the maker, ‘HF’, and a ‘G’. When we look back a few pages, we find this combination of marks attributed to H. Freeth of Upper Priory, Sheffield, a ‘Plater’. So this fascinating piece is ‘documentary’, as it ties together the unknown maker with a known maker. Bradbury published his book in 1912, and it was re-printed as the most reliable source on the subject in 1968; time for another update?

Bradbury: left , ‘Unknown’, right, ‘Freeth’ – and our marked piece is the link between.

‘Telescopic’ Chamberstick

The ‘chambersticks’ are interesting. The Chamberstick was a candle holder with a drip-pan and attached snuffer, suitable for taking to your chamber from the parlour when you retired for the night. One example we have bears a makers mark – not common – which shows it to be the work of the esteemed Mathew Boulton himself, the industrialist genius responsible for the massive expansion of Sheffield in the later 18th century and instigator of the whole Sheffield Plate industry.

The other is a rare ‘telescopic’ version, which allowed you to raise the candle up higher when it burnt down.

Mathew Boulton’s mark on the chamberstick, c. 1790
Mathew Boulton chamber stick, c. 1790
Mathew Boulton’s mark on the chamberstick, c. 1790
See the Fresh Stock here >>