Tuesday, June 30, 2009

New Terms in the Vintage World

A few new terms are appearing in articles and blogs about antiques and collectables. Other terms are being used in a new sense:

Vintage - adjective - 'old fashioned or obselete'. (This sounds unkind). This isn't a new term but it is now being used in instances to refer to anything last season i.e. Vintage Karen Walker. I tend it to use it to mean anything of age up to the 1980s.

Repurpose - verb (a usually American useage) - 'To use or convert for use in another format or product'. This doesn't mean changing the item in any way - just creating a new use for it. This has become more popular in light of the sustainability movement, in terms of the antique world here are some examples in interiors and has become a bit of a trend.

Upcycling - verb - in the same vein as repurposing. This is to take something (usually a found object) and turn it into something much better, creative or artistic. Here are some great examples from the Guardian.

So now you know! (picture above - Better Homes and Gardens website) Have a search on the website under 'Flea Market' for more repurposing ideas.

Monday, June 29, 2009

An Overflowing London Flat
















Thumbing through a vintage copy of The World Of Interiors I came across this amazing interior constructed by Tim Knox and Todd Longstaffe-Gowan. The edition of the magazine dates from 1994 but features many of the current trends in interiors for 2009; religious icons, Victorian Gothic, natural history and taxidermy. (Ref WOI Dec 1994)

Friday, June 26, 2009

A Collection of Beaded Purses On Show at Objectspace

A collection of finely beaded purses are on view now until the 18th of July in Objectspace's Vault Exhibition space. This space is dedicated to the short term loan of items from private collections and is a great resource for us to see a sample of collections normally hidden away from view. The space and idea behind it is commenable for the promotion of 'the Object'. Although, I would have loved to see more imagination given to its presentation to make these beautiful items resonate with the glittering three-dimensional qualities they have.

Read the Viva article here.

Collector's Sale


Last night I attended the Webb's Collectors Sale that featured a collection of antique items from the last residential address on Ponsonby Road.


"This sale includes the contents of 213 Ponsonby Road known as the Finers Music Academy, which the Finers family have occupied for the past 100 years. The complete contents of the house to be offered, a unique opportunity to see an early Auckland family history". (webbs blurb)

The auction was one of the most interesting lower value antique sales that the market had seen in a while. With a mix of Victorian furniture, religious framed lithographs, 1950s and 1960s cotton dresses, hat boxes filled with hats, kitsch chocolate boxes filled with scarves and postcards, ties and shirts still in their original packaging.

Highlights were a Kauri scrubbed top table with pink painted apron and legs that fetched fifteen hundred dollars, a group of suitcases and a hat box of hats fetched one seventy and the chocolate boxes filled with goodies realised one twenty, the colourful dresses sold in groups of 5 sold for between fifty five and one hundred and ten dollars each.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Auction Market Update

A star item: This pair of Wharetana Bookends sold for a record price of $5,460 as part of the Drummond Collection at Art + Object in May. Webb's had a similar pair which sold for $3,900 in the following weeks.

See Don Milne's Latest Update from the Auckland Auction Market here:

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Stonehenge Celebration

With the Summer Solstice happening on the other side of the planet in a few days, I thought I would use some online photograph databases (see flickr etc) to find some vintage photographs of the historic site of the Solstice. Many years ago I happened to experience a Summer Solstice at the other henge in Avebury, Wiltshire, where there was much woodstock style dancing by the open minded and druids amongst the stones. It was actually a lot of fun.

I would very much recommend a visit to Avebury next time you are in the UK. The advantages over Stonehenge being that you are able to walk amongst the stones and the small adjoining village right next to it has a pub.








Tuesday, June 16, 2009

It's Darwin Year

As you may know, 2009 is 'Darwin Year' as it is 150 years since On The Origin of The Species was published. In response, the market for Darwin items is strong. A recent highlight being this portrait by Julia Margaret Cameron that sold for five times its estimate at £22,000 in Aylsham. Signed by Darwin in the mount and inscribed From Life Registered Photograph Copyright Julia Margaret Cameron. It is a variant on the most commonly seen and reproduced Darwin portrait by Cameron.

Exploring the English Heritage site recently I found that you can take a tour of Down House, the Home of Charles Darwin. You have 360 degree views of his study, billiard room and dining room and can click on particular items for a little more history. It is a much cheaper option than flying to Kent, although I did want to see the view out the window. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/Darwin2009/index.html

Monday, June 15, 2009

The World's First Singing Handbag


British product designer Lulu Guiness has created the world’s first singing handbag to celebrate her 20th anniversary in business. The bag is designed as a singing bird in a cage and harks back to the Continental bird automatons of the 19th century and before.

http://www.vogue.co.uk/video/voguetv/player.aspx/exclusive-footage/Id,1441/

The antique one pictured sold at auction for around £150 last year. I would assume that the handbag would retail for a lot more.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Some Weekend Reading

Cordy's latest antique auction catalogue is online now at http://www.cordys.co.nz/Catalogues/0906%20Jun09/Jun09.htm
The sale takes place on June 23rd and viewing starts Friday 19th of June and includes Sunday and the Monday.

Bethunes@webbs Rare Book catalogue is also online now at http://www.webbs.co.nz/auction/bethuneswebbs-rare-books-0 This is Bethune's first Sunday afternoon sale, the date of which is the 21st. Viewing is on the Friday 19th and Saturday 20th.

Also the 'latest' (sea freighted) May edition of BBC Homes and Antiques Magazine is out now on all good magazine stores. For me this is essential reading for an update on the British antique market and to spot the current trends in the antique trade. See their website at http://www.homesandantiques.com/

Friday, June 12, 2009

Free Admission For Aucklanders To Maritime Museum in June & July


"In recognition of their ongoing interest in and support of the Maritime Museum, residents of the Auckland Region are invited to visit the Museum free of charge in the months of June and July.

Residents from Auckland City, Franklin, Papakura, Rodney are invited to visit from 1-30 June.

Residents from Manukau, North Shore, Waitakere are invited to visit from 1-31 July."

You will need to bring along either of the following : A copy of your rates bill or proof of address.

From the maritime museum website see - http://www.nzmaritime.org

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Time Warp Wives

Some people actually live a complete Vintage Life. This is a pretty amazing article from the Daily Mail. I think the decor and clothes are fun, I am just not so sure about the full escapism of the modern life. I suppose this is one aspect of the backlash against the consumerist culture, other people move to the country or join a commune. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1042702/Time-Warp-Wives-Meet-women-really-live-past.html
There is a Time Warp Wife Blog if you would like some tips.

There has been a huge push in the 1940s resurgence. No doubt the Rockabilly fashion explosion would have added to the revival but ten years ago it was all Art Deco. What will be next? Victorian goths? Here are some great photos from a recent Goth Music Festival in where else but Germany. http://www.theage.com.au/photogallery/lifestyle/lifematters/gothic-festival/20090603-bvcm.html

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

A Night In



I am really enjoying Poirot on Prime on Saturday evenings (except when the rugby is on). (Do they have the best programming but the worst reception?) It is a perfect excuse to stay at home on a winter’s night next to the heater and watch the exquisite costumes, architecture and sets of this series.

Yes it is very formulaic; the characters are introduced, there is a murder, everyone is a suspect in the vague set of clues, Poirot needs some answers and when he gets them “everything falls into place”. Then all the characters are assembled and the case is solved. Sometimes they confess, sometimes they run. Formulaic yes but Kitchen Nightmares is pretty formulaic and not as pretty to watch!

In Poirot news – two unpublished short stories have been put together through modern detective work http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/jun/05/two-unpublished-poirot-stories-found

And this slightly disturbing story about a copycat murderer in Iran
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/21/iran-agatha-christie-serial-kiler

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Dinky toy van fetches £6,400 in furious bidding at auction




Historic photo portraits rescued from demolition

An exhibition celebrating the life and work of Herman John Schmidt 1872-1959 opens tomorrow at the Auckland Central Library. The collection's original plate glass negatives (numbering 27,000) were rescued from a demolition site at 270 Queen St in 1970. See the Herald article here:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10577313

This is part of the Photography Festival which is on in Auckland in June refer to http://www.photographyfestival.org.nz/programme/index.cfm for the programme.

Exhibitions on my list:

Exploring the Great North Road at Corban Estate Arts Centre
http://www.ceac.org.nz/exhibitions/current_exhibitions.aspx

Rauru – looking at the beautiful carvings of Tene Waitere at Two Rooms
http://www.tworooms.org.nz/exhibitions/markadams-rauru/

and From the Vault works by Neil Pardington at Snowwhite Gallery at the Unitec School of Design Carrington Rd, Mt Albert
http://www.neilpardington.com/

Monday, June 8, 2009

Antique Fair Update







The Antique Fair in the weekend was very good. Well done to everyone involved. There was a good range of items and prices and it was good to see established shops from down the line being represented, as well as the very good Auckland shops such as Victorian Gilt.
I spent under $10 (my recession budget) on these Victorian photographs which will make it to my 'Lost Relative' wall (once we find the right colour grey for the hallway).

The one of the twin girls is lovely as you don't see anyone smile in these studio shots and there is a nice relaxed quality to it which is unusual.

The other one is much more traditional in style but I love how she looks like she is trapped behind a turnstyle - maybe that is just me.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Auckland Antique Fair This Weekend

We are off to the Antique Fair at the Logan Campbell Centre (217 Greenlane Rd West, Epsom) this morning. The details are as follows: Sat June 6th 10-5pm Sun June 7th 10 - 4pm.

Unfortunately there is usually an absence of what I would call antiques at these events and far too much Lilliputt Lane, but you have to go and see for yourself. I will report back later today.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Waka Prow at Sotheby's Paris

Update: While the sale made 2.4 million Euros the waka prow failed to sell.
A waka prow once in the collection of Major-General Horatio Robley is set to sell in Paris on June 17th. It is estimated at 250,000 - 350,000 Euros, with news headlines claiming it will go for the upper end of this estimate.

The Sotheby's catalogue entry is available online (scroll down for the English text if your French is as good as mine) :


It will be interesting to see how this market is affected by the recession. I assume the market will be for international collectors rather than New Zealand institutions?

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

International Saleroom Records



Here are some recent British auction highlights via http://www.antiquestradegazette.com/
which is one of the best resources for all those antique matters from Britain. Take a look.


This Salisbury jade enters record books at £3.4m! http://www.antiquestradegazette.com/news/7162.aspx

Irish peat buckets make £24,000 in Nottingham,
http://www.antiquestradegazette.com/news/7146.aspx

and a Van Leeuwenhoek microscope takes £260,000
http://www.antiquestradegazette.com/news/7137.aspx