Category Archives: Collectibles

The ‘Toussaint Taste’ of ‘La Panthère’

Posted on December 23, 2020 by maryannadair

These fabulous jewels are items from the world-famous House of Cartier range of jewellery. This Parisian icon was founded by Louis-François Cartier in 1847 when he acquired the workshop from his master, the great Adolphe Picard. Cartier’s son Alfred inherited … Continue reading →

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Some Tender Fender Stories

Posted on September 27, 2020 by maryannadair

[Fender Stratocaster electric guitar designed 1954 made 1957 wood metal and plastic MoMA | Leo Fender (American 1909-1991), George Fullerton (American 1923-2009) and Freddie Tavares (American 1913-199)]. The Stratocaster (“Strat”) electric guitar was designed by Leo Fender, a self-taught electrician, … Continue reading →

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Ring Ring Why Don’t You Give Me a Call?

Posted on July 6, 2020 by maryannadair

The Telstra Museum (Melbourne) is a small museum situated within the Hawthorn Telephone Exchange, Burwood Road, Hawthorn. It is managed by a group of dedicated volunteers from the Victorian Telecommunications Museum who strive to preserve Australia’s telecommunications heritage.  The museum … Continue reading →

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I’m Spinning Around | The Famous Hill’s Hoists

Posted on May 14, 2020 by maryannadair

The Australian invention Hill’s Hoists outdoors clothes line transformed backyards across Australia in years after World War Two (WW2) due to a couple of wayward fruit trees behind a house in an Adelaide suburb. Lance Hill of Glenunga returned home … Continue reading →

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These Tins Really Take the Biscuit!

Posted on May 23, 2019 by maryannadair

From Melbourne Open House -“Cabinets of Wonder” ephemera collection at the Royal Historical Society of Victoria. entitled – ”The Welcome Guest”. These biscuit tins belong to the personal collection of “TG” [Occupation: Driver]. In reference to his collection, TG says: … Continue reading →

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Diamonds Are Forever

Posted on December 5, 2018 by maryannadair

[Above: The Schomberg Diamond Ring (ca 1855) contains a Brazilian cut diamond (sometimes called cushion cut or old mine cut) of just under 1 carat, set in high carat yellow gold (not hallmarked). It is set in four claws within … Continue reading →

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Take Potluck or be Thunderstruck

Posted on November 14, 2018 by maryannadair

[Above: Two issues of Pluck and Luck: Complete Stories of Adventure] Left: Issue No. 76  November 15, 1899. “The Rocket or Adventures in the Air” by Allyn Draper. Frustrated pursuers stand agape as their quarry lifts off for a trip … Continue reading →

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Rucker’s Musical Ruckus

Posted on August 29, 2018 by maryannadair

[Two-manual harpsichord by Andreas Ruckers, Antwerp (ca 1628) inscribed Joannes Ruckers] The Ruckers family were harpsichord and virginal makers from Antwerp in the 16th and 17th Centuries. Their influence stretched well into the 18th C and to the harpsichord revival … Continue reading →

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Soup de Jour? | Can Do

Posted on July 24, 2018 by maryannadair

Warhol proved you can make Souper-Art – but why Broth-er? Pop art is the art movement that emerged in the mid-1950s in Britain and in the late 1950s in the United States. Pop art presented a challenge to traditions of … Continue reading →

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Cereal Collectors? – Not as Corny as it Might Seem

Posted on July 4, 2018 by maryannadair

Cereal boxes – from 2016 Open House “Cabinets of Wonder” ephemera collection at the Royal Historical Society of Victoria. This collection is entitled ‘Breakfast is Good for You’. The collector is identified as ‘IS’ and their occupation: Cleaner. IS claims: … Continue reading →

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A Bit of Hanky Panky

Posted on June 30, 2018 by maryannadair

“Coughs and Sneezes Spread Diseases – So Trap Them in Your Handkerchief.” A handkerchief also called a handkercher or hanky, is a form of a kerchief, typically a hemmed square and made from thin fabric that can be carried in the … Continue reading →

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May Your Cup Runneth Over and Be Squashed

Posted on May 19, 2018 by maryannadair

Left: Paper cup and straw by Jasper Jacobsen, Time’s Black Arrow (2014). Jasper Jacobsen is a Melbourne-based artist currently completing a Master of Contemporary Art degree at the Victorian College of the Arts. Centre: This paper cup was found in … Continue reading →

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Scusi, Venice the Next Vaporetto to Murano?

Posted on March 24, 2018 by maryannadair

Murano Glass is a famous product of the Venetian island of Murano. Most Murano glass art is made using the lamp working technique, where the glass is made from silica, which becomes liquid at high temperatures. As the glass passes … Continue reading →

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Bathroom Blues? Let Freddie the Frog Come to the Rescue On Demand

Posted on February 14, 2018 by maryannadair

Arkie by Brett Whiteley (1967) oil mixed media on canvas on board (Bendigo Art Gallery, Victoria). Australian Avant-garde artist Brett Whiteley (born Sydney,  7 April 1939 – died 15 June 1992) is well represented in many Australian galleries and was … Continue reading →

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A tureen to help store your emotional cabbage?

Posted on January 10, 2018 by maryannadair

Above: Cabbage Tureen by Paul-Antoine Hannong, from Hannong Factory Strasbourg, Alsace, France (ca 1754-1762) – Faience earthenware (tin-glazed), 21.2 × 34.6 × 33.1 cm (Collection of National Gallery of Victoria, International). Faience (tin-glazed earthenware) and porcelain were the principal products of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Ceramics, Collectibles, DecorativeArts, Gallery Art, Porcelain | 1 Comment