PORTOBELLO ANTIQUES

"1885" BAR IN BRITOMART FINALIST IN BEST AWARDS!

2011-08-09T17:02:00.000-07:00

Portobello Antiques were proud to supply the leather sofas and chairs
for the amazingly cool new bar in
Britomart, Auckland which opened recently.
They have been selected as finalists in the BEST AWARDS
We enjoyed working with them and wish them every success

JAPANESE CLOISONNE CHAIRE OR TEACADDY WITH DRAGON

2011-07-26T22:34:00.000-07:00

SILVER WIRE AND AN UNUSUAL DECORATED BASE'
3 1/2 INCHES TALL, PERFECT CONDITION
INCREDIBLE WORK

WHALERS SCRIMSHAW WHALEBONE WALKING STICK CA 1840

2011-07-26T22:22:00.000-07:00

SCRIMSHAW STICK OF PAN BONE
WITH A TOOTH FROM A SPERM WHALE
CARVED AS A TURKS HEAD AS A KNOP
THIS IS THE BEST SCRIMED STICK I HAVE HAD
PERFECT CRISP CONDITION 32 INCHES LONG
sold thanks Lincoln

LARGE ART NOUVEAU BRETBY VASE

2011-07-26T22:05:00.000-07:00

A MASSIVE 21 INCHES TALL RUSKIN TYPE CABACHONS ADRRONING THE NECK

TANGO GLASS

2011-07-26T20:56:00.000-07:00

LARGE TANGO GLASS VASE 10 INCHES HIGH
CA 1930 LOETZ?

SOLD THANKS CHCH

THE SHOP IS GONE, THANKS

2011-07-26T20:23:00.000-07:00

The shop and our home are now gone.

We only had 5 hours in total to salvage items from the shop.

Everything in our apartment was destroyed in the demolition.

I would like thank those people who made it all happen, and hope it never happens to you.

The person from civil defence who told be that my warehouse was destroyed when it was not even damaged.

The people from ERNI who never contacted me regarding salvage.

The policeman who accused me of being a looter while salvageing my posessions and who detained me under the civil defence regulations.

The USAR team and the policeman from NSW who took the Santa Claus from my shop and took each others photos with it posed beside wrecked cars.

The engineer from Wellington who insisted in being paid in $250 an hour in cash to facilitate access.

The civil defence employee who acted as safety officer and also insisted in being paid $100 an hour in cash.

The Army person who prevented me from salvaging items but told me I was welcome to pick through the rubble after demolition.

The person from CERA who removed the approval for salvage from my file.

The person from CERA who put the building on the urgent list and denied salvage during demolition.

All the people who never kept me informed of what was happening regards demolition and and salvage and all those people who promised to get back to me who never did.

You all made the most unpleasant episode in our lives just that little bit more unpleasant.

Our thoughts will always be with you.

If you are a resident or a business owner in the Red Zone who is having problems with access or has had problems similar to mine please email me as I may be able to help.

HANDS UP WELLINGTON, WE ARE GOING TO WELLINGTON

2011-06-21T00:02:00.000-07:00

Portobello Antiques have been invited to attend
HANDSUP WELLINGTON
July 2 -3 at the TSB Arena. We will be bringing up items we managed to salvage from the shop.

If there is anything on my blog that you want me to bring up let me know.
Can not wait to get away from Christchurch for the weekend.

CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE VALUATIONS

2011-03-22T01:08:00.000-07:00

I am now available for valuations of damaged items for EQC and insurance. You can email me photos to portobello@woosh.co.nz or bring items to 10 Grassmere Street in Papanui between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday.
Since September I have valued thousands of earthquake damaged items free of charge.
As my shop has been destroyed I will now have to charge a small fee for valuations which can be claimed back from EQC or your insurance company, All valuations will be done while you wait.
Thanks to everyone for their support over this very trying time
Deric Blackler
tel 3771 772

DOWN BUT NOT OUT

2011-03-22T00:56:00.000-07:00

The last month has been the most trying in my whole life. The earthquake was the easiest to contend with. The shop held together and the contents survived relatively intact. I live above the shop with my family and apart from some missing sections of walls, we got off lightly compared with other buildings in our area.

When a roll call of friends and family, shop owners and associates in the area confirmed everyone was safe, we left the area for safer pastures.

Several days later when the enormity of the situation in Christchurch had truly sunk in and the fact that we had nowhere to live, no clothes, no bank cards or ID we were informed that our building was on the list of buildings to be demolished that day!

A demolition contractor managed to get me through the cordon so I could watch the shop being demolished and possibly save something. When I arrived there was a USAR team several police officers and an excavator outside my shop. I waited for an hour , nothing happened. I chatted with the police and the USAR team to pass the time then the head of the USAR team said “OK you have 10 minutes to grab what you can'. I was greatful of the opportunity. The time went quickly and I retrived a pile of small items on the footpath opposite the shop. The excavator driver arrived, started the engine and pulled the front off the shop next door then drove the excavator away! “OK you can have another 10 minutes”. The USAR team and police then left and I arranged for a truck and took the small amount of belongings to a safe place.

I was then “detained” by another policeman who called his sergent who proceeded to take me back to headquarters for processing. He was from out of town and was not quite sure how to get there.

I pointed him in the right direction, but on the way had a change of heart and returned me to the shop so I could remove my items.

That night I rallied support through facebook, and detailed my plight on my blog.

Support from all quarters was instant.

A few days later I had a ring from civil defence to inform me that my building was to be “deconstructed to allow a USAR team to do a sweep of the area.”

I said I doubted that was true as I had sat with a USAR team outside my shop two days before and

there was not mention of a sweep of the area. I also insisted that I needed more time to remove important historical items still in the shop. The caller said he would check with USAR and get back to me.

A week passed with no contact except for the odd wellwisher inside the cordon ringing to say that the shop was still there. Still hope.

On Monday another phone call, this time from USAR asking what it was I wanted from the shop and where exactly was it? The shop was coming down as it was dangerous. Again I explained that there were quite a few important items and locating them if to those were not familiar with them would be difficult. He said how long would it take me to get there? I was there in 10 minuites.

When I arrived there was a 44 gallon drum ouside the shop for my possessions and another excavator. The USAR man had a look in the shop then said that they wouldn't be able to get much in the drum. We waited for the driver to arrive. The USAR leader then said OK we may as well start. “What do you want”. I hesitated trying to decide what to choose. “I suppose you would like every thing?” I nodded. The USAR team then started to carry items from the shop. The pile quickly grew. This was beyond my wildest dreams.

The excavator driver returned, someone gave me a piece of paper to sign saying I was happy with 20 minutes to salvage items. I was not happy but I signed.

The excavator driver took instruction from the USAR leader they started to remove loose masonry from the front and the side of the shop. After 15 minutes he was finished. He was the most careful excavator opperator I have ever seen! He had removed the loose portions almost brick by brick.

I was amazed, the shop was still there!

The USAR team packed up wished me well and left me very happy on the side of the road with what seemed like a mountain of items I thought would have been turned to dust along with the rest of the CBD.

I had managed to salvage most of the important New Zealand historical items which can not be replaced. They even saved our goldfish wo was still alive after 3 weeks in his bowl half full of water surrounded with pieces of broken brick.

I have that USAR team to thank for their common sense in a difficult situation, the media who drew attention to the situation and the many people who raised there voices in support of Portobello Antiques.

I wish all the other business owners in the CBD as much luck I have had in salvaging their futures.

I urge them to keep trying because”it's not over till it's over”.

I will open shop again sometime in the future but in the meantime will devote my time to providing valuations and restoration advice to the good people of Christchurch who have lost treasured items in the recent devestating earthquakes. I will be operating from 10 Grassmere Street

in Papanui, tel 3771772, or email portobello@woosh.co.nz

SUCCESS

2011-03-15T19:11:00.000-07:00

To everyone who lent their support a big thankyou, I am pleased to announce SUCCESS!
An Aussie USAR team removed 50% of the shop contents for me after civil defence provided a 44 gallon drum for retrieval of items. They saw the that 100's of items were going to be destroyed needlessly and acted without waiting for approval. They then removed parts of the building to make it safe before leaving. They said that once they left I was not allowed to enter the building to remove more items but if I did they would not be there to stop me and wished me luck. I think we got about another 35% before local police got us. So a good result, better than I hoped.

Onward and upward
Deric

MAYBE TOO LATE TOO SAVE ANYTHING !!!!

2011-03-07T20:37:00.000-08:00

At 3pm today the building was still standing as far as I know, but the CCC rang this afternoon with whe message that "the building is to undergo deconstruction to enable USAR to do a sweep".The USAR sat out side my shop on Friday for over an hour doing nothing and allowed me to enter my shop several times to retrieve items, No mention of "a sweep " then.
I think this is just an excuse for wanton destruction.

I had a phone call from a demolition worker in my shop at lunchtime, saying how little damage there was and how easy salvage would be!

I CAN BE CONTACTED ON 03 3771772

2011-03-03T20:28:00.000-08:00

I NEED A CHANCE TO SALVAGE IMPORTANT ITEMS BEFORE THE SHOP IS DEMOLISHED

2011-02-28T15:58:00.000-08:00

I AM AFRAID THAT MY SHOP WILL BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT ANY ATTEMPT BEING MADE TO SALVAGE ANY OF THE IMPORTANT ITEMS WHICH REMAIN INTACT INSIDE.

I WAS INSIDE WHEN THE QUAKE STRUCK AND THE INTERIOR OF THE SHOP IS INTACT WITH MINIMAL DAMAGE TO ITEMS INSIDE. THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE CEILINGS AND NO DAMAGE TO THE WALLS DOWNSTAIRS.
I HAVE BEEN BACK INSIDE SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE ARMY HAS PREVENTED ME FROM REMOVING ANYTHING.
I WAS TOLD THAT ONCE A BULLDOZER HAD PUSHED IT OVER I COULD PICK THROUGH THE RUBBLE!!

THIS MUST NOT HAPPEN

IF YOU COULD EMAIL ME YOUR SUPPORT REGARDING SALVAGE I COULD USE THAT TO CONVINCE THE AUTHORITIES TO ALLOW ME TO SALAVAGE IMPORTANT ITEMS

I recieved this encouraging email from Jennifer Queree, History Curator, Canterbury Museum

Hi Deric

I caught a glimpse of your shop on the late TV One news tonight – I’m so very sorry. I just went on your blog site (http://portobelloantiques.blogspot.com/ ) and was much relieved to see that you and Tracy survived – it must have been an absolutely horrific experience!
I am copying this to Anthony Wright – I am not sure if he can assist or advise any solution to threats of demolition without a chance of salvage, but perhaps he can use his influence.
Not only will your shop hold artefacts of considerable local, national and international importance, but you have been such a support to people from all over Christchurch and Canterbury since 4 Sept by offering free valuations for damaged treasures – while others have taken advantage of the situation to charge exorbitant rates. I would hope that Christchurch could now return the favour if at all possible, by giving you the chance to salvage what is left.
Over the years you have been a keen supporter of Canterbury Museum and other major museums in New Zealand, collecting and protecting many irreplaceable cultural objects, and alerting us to them. I was thrilled several years ago when Canterbury Museum acquired a number of important silver and other items of considerable importance for the cultural history of Christchurch and Canterbury, from the collection that you had built up over many years.
Deric – I do hope all works out for you – let me know how you get on, if/when you have a moment.

Kind regards
Jennifer Queree

IF ANYONE CAN HELP I WOULD APPRECIATE IT
DERIC BLACKLER

From Crispin Howarth
Curator Pacific Arts
The National Gallery of Australia
Canberra

To the Honorable Mr Finlayson,

Within the tragedies currently unravelling in Christchurch there is one looming tragedy you have the power to prevent happening.
Mr Deric Blackler the proprieter of Portobello Antiques at 221 Tuam St (ph 03 3771 772 or 03 930 1155 email portobello@woosh.co.nz in Christchurch experienced the events of last week whislt in his premises and luckily on this occasion neither he or his wife came to any harm. They evacuated from the area only to be informed that Mr Blackler will not be allowed to return to the property to retrieve items within.
Alledgedly the building, although standing with minimal damage to it, is to be bulldozed.
I can only point out in the clearest terms that to not attempt to retrieve key objects in Mr Blackler's possession at the property will mean objects of New Zealand's hertiage will be wilfully destroyed.
Mr Blackler is one of only a few people in New Zealand who holds objects of national significance to your country outside of an insitution.
To do nothing is a neglectful option.
I am writing to you in the hope that your department will contact and assist Mr Blackler at this dire time.
Public Museums and Galleries have systems and organisational back up. An individual does not - and for this reason I request you assist Mr Blackler in the action of retrieving objects upon his property of significance.
This destruction of important historical objects held with Mr Blackler is preventable with your aid.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
My thoughts are with the citizens of Christchurch.

Yours Sincerely
Crispin Howarth

Curator for Pacific Arts
The National Gallery of Australia
Canberra

HERE IS ANOTHER

Hi Amy

As a Lincoln resident I am emailing you as my MP in the hope that you will have time to read the following.
My good friend Deric Blackler owns Portobello Antiques at 221 Tuam Street, Christchurch and lives above the shop. The contents of the building are largely undamaged but Deric faces the threat of demolition without the chance of salvaging anything.

If this were just another antique shop I would not dream of bothering you at a time like this, but Deric’s collection is a unique assembly of cultural treasures bearing witness to the fact that he has the keenest intelligence and historical enthusiasm of any antique dealer I have ever known. Many senior figures in Christchurch’s art gallery and museum communities will vouch for this and have emailed their concern and support to him, as can be seen on his blog, http://portobelloantiques.blogspot.com/ .

I believe that if Deric were to lose the contents of his building it would be another nail in the coffin of Christchurch as a city worth rebuilding and living in. If there is anything you can do to allow Deric permission to salvage, you will be helping to save a collection of internationally significant cultural, artistic and heritage value.

With thanks and hope
Gavin East
Cataloguer
Lincoln University Library

THANKS ALSO TO FRAN DIBBLE AND SIAN van DYK
Hey Deric

Hope this helps! Please see Dibbles letter attached. If you want to post on your blog they say all good!
Thinking of you all, kia kaha xo

Chris Finlayson

Parliament
Wellington

March 3, 2011

Dear Chris Finlayson,

We write this letter to lend our support in helping Deric Blacker, director of Portobello Antiques, retrieve some of his artefacts from the cordoned area of central Christchurch.
Portobello is not simply a shop of antiques but has been the site of priceless historical and cultural relics, which certainly cannot be judged on just monetary value. The treasures he has managed to amass are often superior to much that is held at out art galleries and museums.
We ask that you could, as Minister of the Arts, do anything you can to help allow Deric to salvage some of the precious relics left, which must be all the more valuable after the tremendous loss from the earthquake.
Most sincerely,
Dr Paul Dibble and Fran Dibble

Hi Fran

just a quick email, I thought you guys might be interested, or might like to
help / post something. As you know Deric Blacker's shop is in a pretty dodgy
spot at the moment and apparently ahs been having trouble salvaging some things.
http://portobelloantiques.blogspot.com/2011/02/i-need-chance-to-salvage-important.html

Hope all is well otherwise and that any family/ friends you have down there
are safe.

cheers, Sian

ANDREW DRUMMOND
Hi Deric,

Can you add my name to the list regarding the historical significance
of your collection and that it must be saved.
Add to this my offer of the truck and Gerard to help any day you can

get clearance to enter the shop.

It seems there is a wholesale approach to demolition which is crazy.

Also if you need storage we can get a container into the yard at

Cumnor Tce where there is security.

Hope you are getting some forward movement on this.
Also you and Tracy are surviving etc.

Cheers Andrew Drummond

More messages of support
It would just be such an awful waste if the precious, beautiful things in Portobello were bulldozed.

Hasn't there been enough destruction of valuable history thanks to the quake itself?

Please, Christchurch 'powers that be'; don't let this h...appen!

Josie Glasson

This is what is getting my goat up. the lack of room for the individual in this plan. let the man take his stuff out. it's what makes his life important so help him with it.

Rob Mayes

Caroline Billing

Yeah haven't we have our hearts ripped out enough without this kind of thing happening to those who helped give the city it's heart in the first place!!? It's a travesty

We need our city to return to normal as soon as possible, keeping

Businesses going and preserving our heritage is part of this. Please

enable businesses to get their stock when it is possible and safe to

do so ,other businesses were demolished without removing valuable items

in the last Quake, don't let this happen again.....

Jacqui Taylor

Christchurch

i hope Im not too late with my email. To demolish the shop without the chance to rescue any valuable irreplaceable items is ridiculous .Even though the shop is damaged there must surely be contents that are salveable without risk of life . perhaps there are some items where it would be too dangerous to rescue but i cant believe it can be necessary to totally destroy the lot. You cant snap your fingers and bring back antique items from rubble we are losing our history and for future generations. .

I have already heard about the loss of a beautiful georgian antque bureau handed down through the family just because a bulldozer came in and demolsihed part of the hosue where it was and it was deemed too dangerous to move.. a bit more time if possible maybe an hour or two and a thought process might have been put in place to try and move that bureau out of the way and a precious piano also lost but i giess where abulldozer is concerned and if something is in the path then thats it .

Well . thats just one family and there are many situations out there similar but this shop and many others need consideration. please stop this reckless bulldozing.

Judith Phillips

Nelson

Patricia Te Arapo Wallace

Sirs,

I write this message in support of allowing Mr Deric Blackler, the proprieter of Portobello Antiques at 221 Tuam St, of Christchurch, an opportunity to retrieve some of the precious artefacts from his establishment in the cordoned area of central Christchurch.
Mr Blacker is not asking for officials or others to help him. I understand he has previously been allowed back in the premises; he is simply asking for a chance to rescue any possible items by not being forced to come out empty-handed.
The city has lost enough treasures; I urge that in this case, this one man be given a chance to save whatever he can, rather than be obliged to merely salvage whatever the wreckers might leave.

Yours sincerely,
Patricia Te Arapo Wallace
Patricia Te Arapo Wallace Ph.D.
Research Associate
Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies,
University of Canterbury,

Juliet Gray

Hi Deric

I am glad to hear that you are Ok but I have just seen photos of your shop and read your pleas to help with salvage.

A few weeks ago I was in your shop and I was amazed by your campaign furniture and felt that it was such a privelige when you showed me the campaign desk, its working and explained the history behind it.

I do hope that you managed to safely salvage the precious treasures in your shop and are able to continue your wonderful business

Good luck

Juliet Gray

PHOTOS OF AREA AROUND PORTOBELLO ANTIQUES

2011-02-28T15:24:00.000-08:00

This is the best selsction of photos of our area taken minutes after the quake

CLICK FOR PHOTOS

LATEST PHOTOS OF FEB QUAKE

2011-02-27T15:31:00.000-08:00

The shop is still standing and I hope to be able to salvage something but at the moment I am concerned it will be pushed over with everything inside.

I have been inside and ceilings and walls are still in place, I would estimate only 20% of the stock is damaged. If anyone has any ideas on salavage or access I would appreciate to hear from them. All people spoken to so far have been negative saying it will all be bulldozed after which we will be allowed to pick through the rubble. Over my dead body!!!!, In an hour we could salvage most items.

EARTHQUAKE HAS FINALLY GOT US

2011-02-22T18:11:00.000-08:00

I AM AFRAID THAT WE HAVE BEEN OVERWHELMED BY THE LATEST QUAKE, ALL SAFE, NO INJURIES BUT THE SHOP AND STOCK HAS TAKEN A MASSIVE HIT. I AM UNSURE OF THE FUTURE

EARLY AUSTRALIAN SAMPLER, HOBART TOWN

2011-01-30T14:10:00.000-08:00

Mary Ann Nowlan aged 9
Convent School
Hobart Town
1843
sold thanks Australia

CHINESE BRONZE VESSELS WITH ARABIC INSCRIPTIONS

2010-12-06T20:02:00.000-08:00

the surface of the bronze has
been finely scored thrm gold and
silver has been beaten in.

This is the only one marked

with the Husan-Te Xuande
seal.

All collected in China prior to 1900
If you can help with any information
concerning these items please contact me
portobello@woosh.co.nz

similar items from the V&A Museum London

3 SILVER AGRICULTURAL MEDALS AWARDED TO SIR HEATON RHODES

2010-12-03T14:11:00.000-08:00

3 SILVER AGRICULTURAL MEDALS AWARDED TO SIR HEATON RHODES

sold thanks Christchurch

Robert Heaton Rhodes was born in New Zealand on 27 February 1861 at Purau, a farming locality on the shore of Lyttelton Harbour.
Heaton Rhodes moved to Christchurch with his parents in 1866, where his father built a large house, Elmwood, on Papanui Road. He attended Mrs Alabaster's school in Cranmer Square.. He was then sent to England About 1880 Rhodes entered Brasenose College in the University of Oxford. Completing his MA in 1887, he was called to the Bar of the Inner Temple, London, but in 1888 returned to New Zealand, where he was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court in Christchurch.
His father's death in 1884 made him an exceptionally wealthy young man, enabling him to give up the law and adopt a new career as a farmer and country gentleman.
From about 1893 Rhodes bought farmland near Taitapu, nine miles south of Christchurch; the farm eventually comprised some 5,000 acres. Rhodes commissioned Frederick Strouts, architect of his new house at Elmwood (the previous one burned down in 1882), to design a grand country house. The result, completed in 1895, was a three-storeyed 40-room timber and slate house, Otahuna.
Otahuna soon became a popular venue for the garden parties of Canterbury's social élite, and for polo matches, in which Rhodes was a keen and expert participant. But his main preoccupation for the next decade was the design and planting of a large garden.
Heaton Rhodes took a close personal interest in this remarkable garden, and from his intimate knowledge of its shrubs and flowers he became an expert horticulturist, much in demand as a judge at flower shows in Canterbury. He was elected president of the Canterbury Horticultural Society in 1903, and held this post for the next 53 years. Otahuna soon became famous for its fields of daffodils, and on open days between 1928 and 1954 thousands of people visited. Surplus bulbs were donated to the Christchurch Hospital and the Government Domain (later the Botanic Gardens), forming the nucleus of the daffodil beds which now line the Avon River.
Rhodes was highly respected as a model farmer, and was elected president of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association for 1896. In 1898 he established the first herd of Norfolk red poll cattle in New Zealand, and championed the merits of this breed so well that he became the first president of the New Zealand Red Poll Cattle Breeders' Association in 1921. Otahuna was also noted for its fine flocks of English Leicester and Corriedale sheep,

In 1920 Rhodes was appointed minister of defence. He was instrumental in helping to establish what became the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Rhodes was also appointed commissioner of state forests in 1922. In these years the foundations were laid for New Zealand's future exotic timber industry.
Rhodes obviously enjoyed the role of benevolent country squire. Each year on prize-giving day he sent buckets of cherries to Tai Tapu School, and on Christmas Day he visited all of his employees on the Otahuna estate, with a leg of lamb for the wives, cash for the men and sweets for the children. Otahuna was the venue for one of Canterbury's first demonstrations of aerial top-dressing
Few New Zealanders have achieved such prominence or popularity, received such high honours, or been more sincerely admired and respected in their own lifetime than Heaton Rhodes. Blessed with intelligence, talent, good looks and wealth, he made the most of his advantages. He excelled at many things, and is remembered in Canterbury as the province's outstanding public figure of this century. Bishop Warren's tribute referred to 'a quality of gentleness and quiet charm,' coupled with friendliness and helpfulness which endeared him to many. Daffodils still bloom at Otahuna, and the house itself remains his most tangible monument.

PUBLIC SEALS OF NEW ZEALAND, NEW ULSTER AND NEW MUNSTER

2010-11-10T14:56:00.000-08:00

With the establishment of New Zealand as a British Crown Colony in 1841, all official instruments of the colonial government were sealed with the Public Seal of New Zealand.
The seal was designed by Benjamin Wyon, Chief Engraver to the Seals. The design depicted Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom in treaty with a group of Māori chiefs.
Seal of New Munster
In 1840 the North Island, South Island and Stewart Island were named New Ulster, New Munster and New Leinster respectively, after provinces in Ireland.
From 1846 New Ulster and New Munster were made provinces. New Munster included all the South Island and the southern part of the North Island.
Seal of New Ulster
In contrast to the south, the northern part of New Zealand, known from 1846 to 1852 as New Ulster, contained many Irish
They formed almost a third of Aucklands population. Many had come across the Tasman Sea from Sydney.
In 1852, the provinces of New Ulster and New Munster were abolished and regional provinces were established.
Seals are cast in vermilion wax and measure 70mm across, contained in a Morocco leather case

sold thanks Washington

NEW ZEALAND FERN ALBUM

2010-11-01T18:22:00.000-07:00

70 pages of pressed specimens Ca 1890
12 x 10 inches

NZ SILVER PRESENTAION TROWEL 1913 CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL

2010-10-28T16:55:00.000-07:00

10 inches long, marked "STG.SILVER"

NATIVE AMERICAN BEADED VEST CA 1900

2010-10-18T19:52:00.000-07:00

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

DE BEER PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM ALGIERS CA 1920

2010-10-17T20:22:00.000-07:00

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.

STERLING SILVER TROPHY BY KOHN WELLINGTON

2010-10-14T21:21:00.000-07:00

CARVED GOURD BY THEO SCHOON

2010-10-14T21:08:00.000-07:00

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
po rtobello@woosh.co.nz

CHAMPLEVE ENAMEL AND GILT BRONZE CLOCK GARNITURE

2010-10-03T18:37:00.000-07:00

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

HORN AND SILVER TABLE SNUFF MULL

2010-10-03T18:29:00.000-07:00

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

FELIX KELLY, DRIFTER AND STEAMERS

2010-09-22T19:39:00.000-07:00

Original lithograph 49.5 x 76 cm printed by the Baynard Press in the 1940s. Kelly, a New Zealander, had no formal art training. Nevertheless he taught at Auckland School of Art before moving to London in the mid-thirties. Read thought that there was ‘always some element of poetry discovered by his imagination rather than his recording eye’. And indeed, Drifter and Steamers can be described as one of the most poetic of the School Prints. The muted, subtle blues and greys, with an overall mistiness, surrounding the strong focus on the funnel in the foreground, give the print a dreamlike quality. (1946, Herbert Read, Introduction to Paintings by Felix Kelly, Falcon Press).
for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

EGYPTIAN STATE RAILWAYS POSTER CA 1925

2010-09-21T21:14:00.000-07:00

ORIGINAL CRISP CONDITION
99 x 62 cm
We have a large selection of posters from New Zealand and overseas
http://nzposters.blogspot.com/

A PAIR OF SILVER MOUNTED RHINOCEROS HORN AND HIDE TANKARDS

2010-09-19T22:26:00.000-07:00

A pair of silver mounted tankards with Rhinoceros horn handles and Rhinoceros hide covered bodies, Ca 1930, 5 1/2 inches high
for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

EARTHQUAKE PHOTOS THAT WERE NOT ON THE NEWS

2010-09-17T20:57:00.000-07:00

FREE VALUATIONS FOR INSURANCE AFTER EARTHQUAKE

2010-09-07T17:22:00.000-07:00

We are relatively unscathed and our yellow has been upgraded to a green.

If you were not so lucky I can value you damaged items for your insurance company and provide sensible restoration advice free of charge.
You can email me photos of the damaged items or you can call me on 3771772 .

MORE EARTHQUAKE PHOTOS HIGH ST AND TUAM ST

2010-09-06T18:05:00.000-07:00

Portobello Antiques has just been given the all green!! We survived intact and it will be business as usual .
We had very little damage to the building and no damage to stock .
Here are photos I took this morning. Email me if you want any further info on surrounding buildings or businesses

We are inside the cordon and can move around a little

CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE

2010-09-04T20:37:00.000-07:00

Damage in the block around us is extensive with many of the old buildings in a bad way
Here is list of some of the damage I have seen.Part of the top floor of Embassy has collapsed and fallen through Michaels Restaurant roof. Ebassy building is badly racked on both side walls.The roof of Witchery has collapsed inwards, The front of Domo next door has separated from the rest of the building and looks ready to fall. The back wall of the Blues Bar has collapsed. The front of Florian is all cracked and part of the back has collapsed . Part of he roof of Apex car rentals has collapsed inwards. The Nurse Maude building is also badly cracked. All worked has stopped in the area and the inner city is now closed of in anticipation of the high wind expected tonight

EARTHQUAKE IN CHRISTCHURCH LAST NIGHT

2010-09-03T23:35:00.000-07:00

These photos were all taken within 1 block of my shop
but I am pleased to report that we escaped without injury and
surprisingly little damage

LACHENAL ANGLO CONCERTINA 1860 IMMACULATE CONDITION

2010-08-31T21:05:00.000-07:00

Excellent original condition, rosewood ends, steel reeds, bellows perfect, bone keys, original mahogany case, plays well. Serial number 41266, dates to 1860,badged for retailer Metzler of London

SOLD THANKS USA

HAWAIIAN KOA ALOHA UKULELE 1920

2010-08-31T20:22:00.000-07:00

original case Ca 1920

for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

HAWAIIAN SLIDE GUITAR, OSCAR SCHMIDT 1920'S

2010-08-31T19:50:00.000-07:00

1920's OSCAR SCHMIDT , Stella, Hawaiian slide guitar, All Koa wood 0-18 size approx. 37 inches long , 25 inch scale length. Complete with original guitar case.
Rich tone, good volume,ebony fingerboard, slotted headstock with rosewood veneer pegface. .Rope inlay in the rosette and back centrestrip. Good original condition but has a split on the side which will need attention.

for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

TINY TIM AND OTHERS FROM LEGENDS BAR, ROCKMANS REGENCY MELBOURNE

2010-08-30T15:45:00.000-07:00

Rockmans was the place to stay in Melbourne, from Dylan to the Stones, These photos are all personally signed and framed. They used to hang in the "Legends Bar at the Rockmans Regency
I also have Helen Reddy, Jose Felliciano, and Don Mclean

UNUSUAL ORPHANGE SAMPLER, HARRIET BARNABY 1860

2010-08-19T16:46:00.000-07:00

Unusual sampler by Harriet Barnaby,Royal Freemasons School For Females, 1860.
19 by 16 inches
The Royal Freemasons School was an orphanage for
the daughters of Freemasons in Wandsworth London.
The school admitted up to 65 girls between the ages of
8 and 11 .
The children, daughters of masons of at least three years' standing, entered the school between the ages of 8 and 10. They were taught needlework and domestic subjects and every effort was made "to impress strongly on their minds a due sense of subordination, in true humility and obedience to their superiors." No child who had not had the smallpox or who had any defect or infirmity was admitted. The girls were apprenticed out at the age of 15
for more information
po rtobello@woosh.co.nz

ANTWERP MAIOLICA TUREEN

2010-08-12T20:50:00.000-07:00

14 inches wide 11 inches high ,Antwerp Maiolica, tinglaze
circa 1560, Magnificent!!!

or more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

MAGNIFICENT ANGLO INDIAN WORK BOX CA1870

2010-08-12T19:16:00.000-07:00

Solid Anglo-Indian Coromandel wood
work box, with fitted specimen woods
and ivory interior 17 inches wide by 12
inches deep by 7 inches high. Complete
and in perfect condition

SOLD THANKS CHRISTCHURCH

WA JEWEL AND CO INLAID BOX

2010-08-02T19:48:00.000-07:00

WA Jewel box inlaid with various New Z
native timbers Ca 1880
for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

UNIQUE TATTOO FLASH CARDS CA1950

2010-08-02T19:41:00.000-07:00

From Emille McSweeny's Tatto Parlour
Manchester Street, Christchurch
Black ink and watercolor,
each measure 12 1/2 inches by 10 inches
I have 24 cards in total
for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

CAMPAIGN CHAISE Ca 1855

2010-08-02T19:18:00.000-07:00

Campaign chaise which can pack flat and extend to a single bed, by Silver and Co London 1855
for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

ABALONE TEA CADDY

2010-08-02T19:14:00.000-07:00

China Trade Ca 1880 6 inches high
New Zealand Paua or Abalone for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

WHALE EARBONE

2010-08-02T19:08:00.000-07:00

Ear bone from a Blue Whale painted to represent a Scottish soldier Ca1900
with 2 Sperm Whale teeth a nd a tooth from a Beaked Whale for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

COWRIE SHELL SNUFF BOXES

2010-08-02T19:01:00.000-07:00

1840 - 1880
German, English and Canton for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

MORROCAN MOSHARABIA ARMCHAIR

2010-08-02T18:56:00.000-07:00

Ca 1900 inlaid with ivory, mother of pearl and ebony for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

DOULTON LAMBETH STONEWARE CLOCK 1884

2010-07-16T17:53:00.000-07:00

12 inches high 4 1/2 inches wide, 8 day movement for more information

portobello@woosh.co.nz

, silvered dial

CAMPAIGN DESK CA 1900

2010-07-16T17:48:00.000-07:00

Campaign desk by Thornhill & Sons London Ca1900

Neo classical vase by William Fairbairns

2010-07-11T20:38:00.000-07:00

13 inches high signed William Fairbairns.
ca 1870 for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

DESTROYED

CHINESE EXPORT SILVER MODEL OF A SINO-JAPANESE TURRET SHIP

2010-07-11T20:23:00.000-07:00

Qing dynasty silver model of turret ship from the Sino Japanese war ca 1895 15 inches x 9 1/2 inches, mounted on a carved wooden sea and contained in a glass case.
for more information
SOLD
THANKS WASHINGTON
mailto:portobello@woosh.co.nz

RARE PHRENOLOGY POSTER CA 1865

2010-07-04T20:23:00.000-07:00

Very rare woodcut poster advertising the Phrenological Journal, published by Wells 389 Broadway, New York
The poster measures 106cm x 74cm and has a portion
missing from the corner. I can have the poster professionally
restored
for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

VARIOUS KETE

2010-06-09T22:01:00.001-07:00

for more information po rtobello@woosh.co.nz

UNUSUAL SAILORS VALENTINE

2010-06-09T18:55:00.000-07:00

HOGARTHS HARLOTS PROGRESS RARE COPY 1730

2010-06-09T18:42:00.001-07:00

"A most curious etching of Plate IV. the Bridewell scene, reversed, from the copies the same size of the original printed for Thomas Bowies and John Bowles, most probably unique, was in Arthur Pond's collection. It was bought in Baker's sale, 1825, for Mr. Standly, for 81. 18s. 6d."
from

Anecdotes of William Hogarth: written by himself

By William Hogarth

for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

RARE ULA OR BELT CLUB, FIJI

2010-06-09T18:32:00.000-07:00

See Oldman collection, plate 55 for similar examples

for more information
pomailto:portobello@woosh.co.nz

SOLD THANKS BRISBANE

ZILOTONE DISC AUTOMATON 1920

2010-06-09T18:27:00.000-07:00

Great working order, complete with 6 discs.
for more information
pomailto:portobello@woosh.co.nz
SOLD THANKS

UNMARKED VASE, DUTCH?

2010-06-02T18:12:00.000-07:00

unmarked, 15 inches, appears to be Dutch,
underglaze decoration, if you have any ideas
please let me know
for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz
destroyed

MAORI KETE MUKA, AND HARAKEKE CONTAINER

2010-06-02T16:45:00.000-07:00

CA1900
for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

INDIAN TURBAN ORNAMENT

2010-05-18T20:20:00.000-07:00

Mughal Sarpech set with uncut diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds, now mounted as a brooch. 4 3/4 inches long, very impressive !

sold thanks Christchurch

SAMUEL ALCOCK

2010-05-10T20:24:00.000-07:00

Samuel Alcock,
Staffordshire
1840 -1860
for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

NOEL COWARD, AUTOGRAPHED BY PRINCE CHARLES

2010-05-10T19:39:00.000-07:00

for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

WINDSOR STYLE, SIGNED BY PRINCE CHARLES

2010-05-10T19:34:00.000-07:00

for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

IRONSTONE PLATE WITH ARMORIAL

2010-05-10T19:29:00.000-07:00

Ashworths Ironstone Ca 1865
for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

MEDICAL INDUCTION COIL CA1845

2010-05-10T19:26:00.000-07:00

By Benjamin Pike, New York
for more information
pomailto:portobello@woosh.co.nz
SOLD THANKS CHRISTCHURCH

CROCODILE SKIN DRESSING CASE CA1910

2010-05-10T19:20:00.000-07:00

for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

AUSTRAL ISLAND PADDLE

2010-05-10T17:13:00.000-07:00

for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

45 inches long
ca1820

UZBEK LAKAI FELT TENT BAG

2010-04-29T19:49:00.000-07:00

Central Asian Felt Tent Bag Second half 20thC UZBEK LAKAI FELT TENT BAG or OK BASH
Felted wool, flatwoven wool (inner), goat hair
Uzbekistan, Central Asia 39 inches long
for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

ADVANCE AUSTRALIA SILKWORK

2010-04-29T19:35:00.000-07:00

Very cute, note the elephant instead of a sheep and the very rat like kangaroo
for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

ANGLO INDIAN CHILDS ELBOW CHAIR CA 1800

2010-04-26T21:13:00.000-07:00

Anglo Indian, Sheraton child's elbow chair ca 1800
wonderful patina and color 25 inches high 18 inches wide
for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

MASSIM SWORD CLUB

2010-04-22T22:10:00.001-07:00

DELFT CANARY IN CAGE PLAQUE

2010-04-22T19:13:00.000-07:00

late 18th century
perfect condition
for more information
portobello@woosh.co.nz

sold thanks Lincoln

SAILORS WOOLWORK OR "WOOLIE"

2010-04-22T19:09:00.000-07:00

Unusual subject, from Portsmouth
19 1/2 inches x 26 inches

for more information
po rtobello@woosh.co.nz

SAILORS WOOLWORK OR "WOOLIE"

2010-04-22T17:59:00.000-07:00

19th century, the card de visite of the sailor is stamped "Ouless Jersey" 21 inches by 17 inches
for more information
po rtobello@woosh.co.nz

SAILORS WOOLWORK OR "WOOLIE"

2010-04-22T17:00:00.000-07:00

19th century 22inches by 22 inches
for more information
po rtobello@woosh.co.nz
SOLD

RARE UNRECORDED PATTERN CLARICE CLIFF 1928

2010-04-07T21:15:00.000-07:00

10 1/2 inch plate,
impressed date 1928

VICTORIAN PAINTED CHEST OF DRAWERS

2010-03-29T14:55:00.000-07:00

Magnificent original paint 115cm wide 106cm high 56cm deep Ca 1860

LARGE PARQUETRY SPECIMEN PANEL

2010-03-24T18:45:00.000-07:00

Exhibition quality 41 inches x 25 inches
for more information
po rtobello@woosh.co.nz

PARQUETRY PANEL

2010-03-24T18:33:00.000-07:00

various New Zealand timbers 26 inhes x 15 1/2 inches
for more information
po rtobello@woosh.co.nz

LARGE MOSER INTAGLIO BOWL

2010-03-23T13:33:00.000-07:00

Magnificent wheel cut intaglio bowl by Moser, 13inches in diameter, perfect condition.
for more information
po rtobello@woosh.co.nz

SILVER ROSEWATER BOTTLE Ca1850

2010-03-21T15:17:00.000-07:00

Indian 8 inches high 356gms
for more information
po rtobello@woosh.co.nz

SILVER ROSEWATER SPRINKLER Ca1850

2010-03-19T18:45:00.000-07:00

305 gms Indian silver 8 inches
for more information
po rtobello@woosh.co.nz

LARGE CARVED MAORI SERVING TRAY CA 1900

2010-03-18T19:19:00.000-07:00

Carved bread tray by John Henry Menzies
1840 -1919
of Menzies Bay Banks Peninsular

Kauri 24 inches x 16 1/2 2nches signed JHM in four places

for more information
po rtobello@woosh.co.nz

sold thanks Christchurch

DELIGHTFUL PORTRAIT MINIATURE CA 1830

2010-03-18T17:48:00.000-07:00

On ivory 31nches x 2 1/2 inches Red morocco leather case
for more information
po rtobello@woosh.co.nz

PAIR OF MINTON MAJOLICA WALL POCKETS

2010-03-18T17:40:00.000-07:00

Pair of Minton Majolica wall pockets with Minton date code for 1872 10 inches by 5 inches no restoration 1 small chip to back

for more information
po rtobello@woosh.co.nz
ONE DESTROYED

MILITARY DESK CA 1860

2010-03-08T18:19:00.000-08:00

MAGNIFICENT CAMPAIGN DESK IN ORIGINAL CONDITION,
PATENT ACTION REVEALS STUNNING FITTED INTERIOR, LEGS UNSCREW ON LARGE BRASS THREADS, BRASS CUP CASTERS, 34 INCHES DEEP BY 54 INCHES WIDE, 33 INCHES HIGH
for more information
po rtobello@woosh.co.nz

FERN ALBUM BY ERIC CRAIG Ca1880

2010-02-18T18:59:00.000-08:00

An large impressive album of 117 different New Zealand Ferns collected and compiled by Eric Craig Ca 1880.
Mottled Kauri boards, 61 pages of pressed ferns each measuring 18" x 10 1/2 inches,
- Mr Eric Craig of Princes St, Auckland. Eric Craig (1829-1923) was a collector, publisher and dealer of natural history and ethnography, who ran a curio business called “The Fern and Curiosity Shop” near to the old Auckland museum.
for more information
po rtobello@woosh.co.nz
sold thanks Christchurch

NAIVE PAINTINGS OF AKAROA

2010-02-15T20:29:00.000-08:00

" Cygnet" and "Ruahine" at Wainui,
44cm x 40cm
for more information
po rtobello@woosh.co.nz

"Regatta Akaroa 1907" 73cm x 42 cm
both painted from postcards by Ray Bisman, Lyttleton

SCRIMSHAW POWDER HORN, MAORI WARS ca 1865

2010-02-15T20:11:00.000-08:00

A well worn powder horn with scrimshaw decoration
in the style of those produced by Gustav von Tempsky.
Possibly the man depicted holding the Union Jack and firing his pistol is von Tempsky himself.
I do not think this horn is by von Tempsky but one made by one of the Forrest Rangers with his direction as you can see "prick marks" where the woman's face has been copied from a drawing on paper.
Still a very interesting piece of New Zealand scrimshaw.
for more information
po rtobello@woosh.co.nz

MAGIC JOLLY JUG, Ca1864

2010-02-15T19:28:00.000-08:00

The Jolly Jug was popular in the early to mid 19th century. Elsmore & Forster in Staffordshire were one of the firms that manufactured such items.

When you fill the jug with water, you can pour from the spout in the normal way, but you can also make the liquid come out through a hole in the base of the jug. When you are pouring from the bottom of the jug, you can also make the flow stop, apparently at will.

Inside the jug is a hole which connects to a tube that runs up one side of the handle. If you look at the underside of the jug, you see a second hole, and this hole connects to a separate tube that runs up the other side of the handle. Towards the top of the handle the two tubes meet. There will also be a small air hole at the top of the handle, just a couple of millimetres across.

To make the siphon action work, you need to tilt the jug back slightly, keeping your finger over the little hole in the handle. Initially there will be liquid in one of the tubes in the handle - the tube that connects to the hole INSIDE the jug. When you tip the jug back slightly, the liquid will move up that tube and down into the other tube that connects to the hole on the underside of the jug. You now have a working siphon, and liquid will continue to flow from the bottom of the jug until you remove your finger from the little hole in the handle. This will break the siphon, and the liquid flow will cease.

Inscribed " James Hailstones 1864"

for more information
po rtobello@woosh.co.nz

KONSO FUNERARY FIGURES, ETHIOPIA

2010-02-15T17:35:00.000-08:00

Pair of Konso posts, early 20th century
for more information
po rtobello@woosh.co.nz

MASSIM LIME SPATULA

2010-02-14T14:18:00.000-08:00

Lime infill early 20th century
13 3/4 inches
From old local collection, collected by Colonel John Durnford-Slater
British Army, India, Ca1935
sold thanks Australia
for more information
po rtobello@woosh.co.nz

ITEMS OF PERSONAL ADORNMENT, SOLOMON ISLANDS

2010-02-12T16:25:00.000-08:00

Collection of turtle shell earrings, 4 nose bones, Jacobs Tears rattle arm bands and a beaded arm band all early 20th century and all from an old local collection
for more information
po rtobello@woosh.co.nz

comb sold thanks London

RARE MASSIM MWALI, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

2010-02-12T15:56:00.000-08:00

The Kula is the most famous trading journey in Oceania large canoes from throughout the Masssim area had trading partners on other islands, with whom they traded their own surplus produce clay pots, taro, pigs, shell money, etc. At the same time, each kula trader had a trading partner on the other island with whom he exchanged gifts, and these gifts passed form hand ot hand within the kula ring. There was a strict procedure for the exchange. Red shell disk necklaces (bagi)) were always exchange in a clockwise direction and white clamshell armbands (mwali) in an anti-clockwise direction. The most famous kula items were named and each item changed hands frequently. The participants politicked (and employed magic wherever possible) to obtain the choicest examples and hold them for a while as they were publically displayed and conveyed great status. It is very unusual for a mwali of this size and age to be sold
Mwali armband made from sinnet strung glass beads, vegetable fibers, shells and conus millepunctus shell. Massim Region. Early 20th century, collected by Colonel John Durnford-Slater
British Army, India, Ca1935 for more information
po rtobello@wsold thanks Wellingtonoosh.co.nz

PIG TUSK ADORNMENT PNG CA1920

2010-02-12T15:05:00.000-08:00

This adornment comes from the Purari River delta and is very rare because it is one of the very few that have been collected intact. Made with bush fibre rope, spondylus shells, seed rattles, crepe paper and of course a full circle pig tusk. It presents wonderfully and although similar to a massim pig tusk necklace can be identified immediately as Papuan Gulf by the intricate knot work that attaches the spondylus necklace to the tusk. It would date to the 1920’s.Aquired from and old local collection, collected by Colonel John Durnford-Slater
British Army, India, Ca1935 for more information

sold thanks Wellington
po rtobello@woosh.co.nz

LARGE TABUA, FIJI, MID 19TH CENTURY

2010-02-12T14:46:00.000-08:00

Tabua wa magimagi

Sperm Whale tooth suspended from a chain of looped sinnet fibre, magimagi. Teeth from the upper jaw of a Sperm Whale were regarded with reverence, perhaps the most important of the Fijian valuables. Acceptance of a tooth presented to a chief bound him to the request made with the tooth, such as a desired course of action. They were also made as presentations in marriage and as tokens of personal esteem.

Tooth measures 7 inches and is very heavy, great patina, original sinnet suspension cord, from old local collection, collected by Colonel John Durnford-Slater
British Army, India, Ca1935

ORIGINAL 1904 ST LOUIS WORLD FAIR POSTER

2010-02-10T17:18:00.000-08:00

36 inches x 24 inches original lithograph
1904 Lousiana Purchase Exposition, Festival Hall and Cascades
for more information
po rtobello@woosh.co.nz