AAADA PARTNERS WITH THE JOHNSTON COLLECTION

[FIRST FLEET] Midshipman Newton Fowell, on board HMS Sirius at sea, off Rio de Janeiro, 6 August 1787: autograph letter signed, addressed to his father, John Fowell.

FOWELL, Newton Digby (1768-1790)
Midshipman Newton Fowell, on board HMS Sirius at sea, off Rio de Janeiro, 6 August 1787: autograph letter signed, addressed to his father, John Fowell.

Entire letter, 1 page, quarto, manuscript in ink on the first side of a bifolium, laid paper watermarked with Britannia and GR surmounted by crown; dated 6 August 1787 and signed N. Fowell, addressed to John Fowell Esq., Black Hall, S. Brent, Devonshire, England, with DOVER/SHIP-LRE hand-stamp on the face and rated in ms. 1/7 (to be paid…

THE HISTORIC HOUSES ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INVITES AAADA COMMUNITY TO JOIN A SMALL GROUP STUDY TOUR OF GREECE

The proposed dates are 7 to 24 October 2024, about 17 days, and covering roughly 4,000 years of engaging history, stimulating art and impressive architecture.

In Athens, we visit the unforgettable marble buildings of the Acropolis, other archaeological sites and museums, plus some outstanding 19th-century Neo-Classical houses.

In southern Greece, we travel through the picturesque landscape to visit the Late Bronze Age citadel of Mycenae, the harbour town of Nafplio with its Venetian, Turkish and Greek overlays, the Byzantine citadel town of Mystra, the fortified tower houses of Mani (the ultimate…

Celebrating a Piece of Persian History: The Bakhtiari Khan’s Carpet

BY AMIR ALIGORGI, BEHRUZ STUDIO

Nestled in our collection at Behruz Studio is a truly extraordinary piece that captures the essence of Persian artistry and heritage. This is the Khan’s Carpet, a Bakhtiari triclinium or audience carpet from South Central Persia, dated back to 1902 AD. Crafted to the special order of Hessamaddin Khan Bakhtiari, this stunning piece is a testament to the intricate craftsmanship and rich cultural history of the Bakhtiari people.

Dimensions and Design

Measuring a…

Byōbu (屏風, lit. ‘wind wall’) are Japanese folding screens made from several joined panels…

…bearing decorative painting and calligraphy. Monumental and unique in scale in the world of art for bold designs and compositions – often ahead of Western art in the context of comparative art history especially in the development in decoration and design.

Coveted by connoisseurs, Kazari offers rare artworks once commissioned by Japan’s elite and Samurai, symbols of wealth and power. Now prized in museums globally, these statement pieces adorn residential and corporate spaces, echoing timeless elegance.

Often used to bring…

nkisi-nkondi altar spirits carved from coquilla nut

J. B. HAWKINS ANTIQUES

A very rare group of three nkisi-nkondi altar spirits carved from coquilla nuts, as nailed power figures, awakened and activated by the horseshoe nails. Carved by a Bantu living in Brazil of Kongolese descent, circa 1860. They epitomise the intensity of the Black African syncretic but little understood world of ancestors and spirits. Collection and image copyright, J. B. Hawkins Antiques. Photographer Wayne Enright. Deloraine.

Three village community Bantu nailed Kongo nkisi nkondi, power figures,…

CERAMIC COLLECTORS SOCIETY, Founded 1949

The Ceramic Collectors Society was founded on the 13th of September 1949, by a small group of antique dealers and ceramic collectors in Sydney.  Its aim is to promote appreciation and knowledge of ceramic art and to form a meeting ground for all those interested in ceramics.  

In 2024 the society celebrates its 75th-Anniversary year and will have a special public lecture and a luncheon to celebrate that milestone on Sunday the 15th of September 2024 in the Sydney CBD.

Professor Andrew Montana, author of “The Art Movement in Australia –…

The Johnston Collection at the AAADA Antiques & Art Fair Melbourne

This past April the Australian Antique & Art Dealers Association held its annual Antiques & Art Fair Melbourne. With thousands of visitors immersing themselves in the refined world of antiques in the historic Malvern Town Hall. They explored distinctive collections for purchase, unwound with Scotchmans Hill Evening Drinks, engaged in insightful tours, and appraisals to elevate their experience.

This year we were honoured to have our new Partners The Johnston Collection join us to celebrate our appreciation for antiques & art. Joining forces with our guest Decorator, and

ENGLISH SILVER FOR WRITING

DR ALISON M HOLLOWAY

Little is recorded of silver, used in England for writing, before the time of the Commonwealth (1649-1660). There are references to two standishes in the inventory of plate belonging to King Henry VIII dated 1520. One is of Spanish origin, the other probably English marked with a lion.

Sir Robert Cecil’s inventory dated 1612 lists silver plate at the houses of Theobalds and Hatfield. It groups “white plate commonly used in the house” into different categories including “silver for writing”. Sir Robert had two silver standishes,…

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