In October, 2023 a small silver cup with unusual pseudo hallmarks was purchased from a local estate in Launceston.1 On being shown the cup, the slightly naïve embossed decoration, simple strap handle and basic construction reminded me of a colonial or provincial manufactured piece, dating from around the second quarter of the 19th century. Embossed with various emblems including roses, shamrocks, thistles and leaves, it bore all the signs of a British hand or influence. If of British Manufacture, stylistically it would date to circa 1825–1835. However, given its pseudo...
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Discovered in Southern Tasmania in 2019, this is one of the earliest known Australian Colonial Constructed Long Case Clocks with a Tasmanian provenance. Made from beautifully grained cedar, the case contains an early 19th century movement, white enamel dial and painted pendulum, all typical of examples found in provincial areas of Scotland around 1820–1830. The Family Provenance of ownership can be dated with certainty back to the late 19th century or early 20th century when it stood at Barton Vale in West Hobart, the residence of Joseph Bidencope. It was...
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It was an ordinary sort of day in May 2018 when a gentleman walked into my shop with a bag, within was an item that would turn out to be anything but. He unwrapped a cloth within a bag and pulled out a shiny, black and quite heavy looking pistol with multiple barrels. At first it wasn’t apparent that what I was looking at was a 19th century pepperbox pistol, such was the condition, colour and brightness of the finish! Philip informed me it had been in the family for...
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