Monday, October 18, 2010

NATIVE AMERICAN BEADED VEST CA 1900

Mans Vest.Buckskin silk lined with glass bead decoration, pictorial back circa 1900. good condition and showing signs of being worn 23 inches long

Sunday, October 17, 2010

DE BEER PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM ALGIERS CA 1920


 De Beer Photograph Album Ca 1920


Esmond de Beer and his sisters, Mary and Dora, never married. After their parents died (Emily in 1930, Isidore in 1934) they lived together in London. The sisters had previously travelled between London, Europe and New Zealand. They enjoyed the outdoors. Dora was a mountaineer who made many climbs in the Southern Alps, the Swiss Alps and, in 1938, Yunan, China. Esmond and Mary were pedestrians - indefatigable walkers and trampers. All three regularly holidayed on the Hebridean island of Raasay.
The de Beers were among the most important benefactors of Dunedin’s cultural institutions. Esmond wrote, ‘My sisters and I have always thought of Dunedin as our ‘‘home’’, our essential background, and have wanted to do what we could towards the furtherance of its learning and culture’. All three were collectors: Esmond’s rare books were a scholar’s tool; Dora had a passion for rugs and textiles, often gathered on her travels; Mary loved poetry; all appreciated the visual arts. Many gifts to institutions were in the name of all three.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

STERLING SILVER TROPHY BY KOHN WELLINGTON


CARVED GOURD BY THEO SCHOON



From a Blenhiem collection, same source as my previous one, authenticated by John Perry

Born in Java of Dutch parents in 1915, sent to Holland for classical art education in Rotterdam, Schoon travelled through Europe absorbing all that the new movements could offer. Upon arrival in New Zealand in 1939 he was probably the best educated artist in the country. Schoon was an artist, photographer, potter, sculptor, greenstone carver, designer and an expert art researcher. He developed his knowledge of Maori design by going to the best Maori authorities. Often the only European invited by Maori to show his art and creations on their marae. He became an expert gourd maker. A number of his carved gourds are held in American museums. He researched the few Maori rock drawings that were then known, and began a time-consuming and physically demanding on-the-spot research in often isolated and deep caves. He recorded the rock drawings in his sketches and photographs.
Schoon undertook intense research at the same time, in to Maori design. He assembled the designs recorded by Williams, Augustus Hamilton and J H Menzies from the start of the century, and consulted with Maori elders and Tohunga. Applying aspects of Maori design to his own art, he developed a fern root spiral which became the well-known "koru". Schoon freely admitted he had adapted Maori design & was always free with his gifts to other artists.
for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

Sunday, October 3, 2010

CHAMPLEVE ENAMEL AND GILT BRONZE CLOCK GARNITURE

A Fine Napoleon III Champleve Enamel and Gilt Bronze Clock Garniture, late 19th, the large domical and columned clock case with cylindrical body, the works marked "Marti Paris"; together with a pair of columned temples (en suite), clock height 19 1/2 in., diameter 10 in.; temples height 14 1/2 in., diameter 6 1/2 in.
for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz


sold thanks Auckland

HORN AND SILVER TABLE SNUFF MULL

Unusual sterling silver mounted horn table snuff mull in the shape of a Scottish powder horn engraved Edward and Emanuel, Silversmiths to the Queen, The Hard, Portsea.
hallmarked London 1852, 13 inches wide
for more information
pomailto:portobello@woosh.co.nz

sold thanks Holland