Hello again,
This issue of the newsletter sees me, once again busy working in Eaglemont, keeping up with all the new technology and sourcing some very interesting items during local forays and many trips interstate exhibiting at fairs and shows around the country. Enjoyed a trip to Launceston to do the Tasmanian Antique Fair over the June week end, and although the weather was chilly, the locals warmed to a great display of antiques, with a lovely pair colonial portraits
that I had sourced in New South Wales, these finding a new home in Tasmania. Closely following on, I travelled to Avoca, a delightful Victorian country town, well known for its fine local produce, fine wines and wonderful scenery to do an inaugural fair at the local race club.
Check our web site www.eaglemontantiques.com.au /Upcoming Events for the fair itinerary and where we will be exhibiting this year (also listed below) …….. In the meantime enjoy reading the newsletter!
Dawn
Some Observations on the Antiques Trade
Staffordshire Figures
 Every generation has had its love of sentiment, even though we usually heap most of its glory on the Victorians. One of the more charming outlets for Victorian emotions is the Staffordshire figurine from the 19th century. The idea of miniature people and animals cavorting around in pottery or porcelain had been well established in the previous century by all the better potters. Careful modelling and colouring made for quality pieces, often based on popular poems and plays.
By the 19th century, with the growth of the middle classes, more statues were needed with a cheaper manufacturing cost. Generally, quality declined as one approaches the end of the 19th century, as earlier labour-adding steps were eliminated. 
Between 1840 and 1850 the potters used a refined body, slightly transparent in places. A striking, rich, dark-blue was brushed on under the glaze. Buttons and so on were painted in gilt; however, this was rare after the 1860s as it necessitated an extra firing and hence extra expense. The earlier gilding needed burnishing, but after 1880 they changed to ‘bright gold’ - a thin, bright gilding.
After 1850 the figurines have a flat undecorated back, called ‘flat backs’, with a narrow oval bottom for standing on a mantel or dresser The earlier pieces were modeled and decorated all around, on a circular or square base. Eliminating half this modelling allowed a simpler process and again less expense.
FAIR ITINERARY
MELBOURNE ANTIQUES FAIR 2010
Malvern Town Hall
Cnr Glenferrie Road & High Street, Malvern
Gala Preview
Thursday, July 8, 6.30pm-9.30pm
Friday, July 9, 10.00am-7.00pm
Saturday, July 10, 10.00am-7.00pm
Sunday, July 11, 10.00am-5.00pm
THE ANNUAL AUSTALIAN ANTIQUE & ART DEALERS ASSOCIATION SHOW
September 8th – 12th 2010
The Pavilion
AJC Royal Randwick Racecourse
Alison Road
Randwick Sydney NSW Australia
In September, the Annual Australian Antique and Art Dealers Association Show will be held at The Pavilion, Royal Randwick, Allison Road, Randwick. The show opens on Wednesday evening, with a special preview night, and runs through until Sunday.
This is the highlight of the year for Eaglemont Antiques and our clients can look forward to a wonderful exhibition of furniture, decorative art including porcelain, glass and other interesting items of objet d árts.
Telephone 03 9497 4195 or email dawn@eaglemontantiques.com.au for further details.
 Staffordshire dogs pre-1850 sat  on rocky or some other type of base, but post-1850 had no stand or plinth. In the 20th century, glass eyes are inserted. The same process of manufacturing for the figurines applies here. The favourite type of dog is the King Charles spaniel, in honour of Queen Victoria’s beloved spaniel called Dash, constantly replicated in 1880’s parlour decor. Originally, this dog was brought into fashion in England with the Restoration of the monarchy in the 17th century under King Charles II, and hence fits into the Victorian pattern of revivals. The vast majority of figurines found were produced in the Staffordshire part of England and imported throughout the 19th century for sale in the colonies. Pairs of dogs were also made at many potteries, in the 1870s and early ‘80s similar to the one photographed.
|
