Hand-picked relics, curiosities and collectibles that refuse to sit quietly on a shelf.
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Curiosities Curated
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Rich with colour, symbolism, and hand-finished detail, this vintage ceramic garden stool is a striking decorative piece that blends sculptural presence with traditional East Asian craftsmanship. Its barrel-form silhouette is wrapped in an intricate hand-painted scene of flowering botanicals and songbirds, framed by deep lacquer-red borders adorned with gilded accents and ornamental motifs. The glossy glaze catches the light beautifully, giving the piece a luminous depth and subtle sense of age and character.
Originally designed as a versatile garden stool, this piece works equally well as a side table, pedestal, seat, or standalone decorative object. The pierced side details and richly layered surface decoration evoke the opulence of traditional chinoiserie interiors, while the vivid palette of crimson, ivory, gold, jade, and powder blue gives it a warm, collected feel that sits effortlessly within both maximalist and eclectic contemporary spaces.
Every surface reveals fine detailing — from the raised gold studwork to the delicately rendered florals and birds in motion — making it a piece that rewards close attention. Whether styled beside a lounge chair, used as a bedside table, or placed as an accent in an entryway or conservatory, it brings texture, history, and visual drama to a space.
A beautiful vintage statement piece with timeless decorative appeal.
Origin: China
Production period: early to mid 20th Century.
Material: Porcelain.
Condition: Excellent.
Dimensions: 28cm diameter top. 44cm tall.
A delicate and unmistakably Irish porcelain set from the celebrated Belleek Pottery, featuring the iconic hand-painted shamrock motif and the finely ribbed shell-like form that made Belleek world-renowned.
This charming trio includes a teapot with lid, matching creamer, and teacup, all finished in Belleek’s signature luminous ivory glaze with softly raised shamrock detailing winding across the surface. The underside bears the coveted black Belleek mark with “Belfast,” dating the pieces to the early-to-mid 20th century (generally attributed to the 1926–1946 period), making this both a beautiful display set and a highly collectible example of Irish porcelain craftsmanship.
The forms are wonderfully sculptural: angular handles, flowing spouts, and gently fluted bodies that catch light beautifully against darker interiors or cabinet displays. The shamrock decoration gives the set a distinctly Irish character without overwhelming the refined elegance of the porcelain itself.
A beautiful acquisition for collectors of Belleek, Irish decorative arts, antique tea ware, or anyone drawn to finely made porcelain with strong historical character.
Condition: Excellent vintage condition. Some wear consistent with age. Light wear to bases and minor age-related marks present. The lid of the teapot has historical repairs.
Production Period: 1926–1946
Origin: Ireland
Dimensions:
Teapot: 21 × 12 × 13.5cm.
Tea Cup: 8 × 6 × 10.5cm.
Milk Jug: 10.5 × 8.5 × 8.5cm.
Rich with carved detail and old-world character, this antique chair is a striking example of late Victorian, Gothic, and Renaissance Revival craftsmanship. Hand-carved from dark stained timber, the frame features dramatic barley-twist uprights, intricate scrolling foliage, and an ornate crest crowned by paired cherubic figures supporting a carved crown motif. The warm cognac-toned leather upholstery is bordered with aged brass studwork, developing a beautifully worn patina that speaks to the chair’s history and use over time.
Beyond its decorative presence, the chair has a strong sculptural quality — equally suited as a statement dining chair, hall chair, accent piece, or collector’s display item. The craftsmanship is especially evident in the pierced carving throughout the backrest and stretcher details, which create depth, shadow, and movement from every angle.
Its aged leather surface bears minor marks and wear consistent with age, adding authenticity and character rather than detracting from its appeal. The chair stands on original castors and retains the substantial solidity typical of quality antique seating.
A dramatic and atmospheric piece that brings warmth, history, and unmistakable craftsmanship into an interior.
Ornately carved timber, leather seat and back.
Production period: Late 1800s.
Origin: Portugal.
Dimensions: 107 × 42 × 46 cm
Condition: Very Good, slight leather damage, signs of wear.
Pick up ONLY. If you are interested in this item, please get in touch and we can organise the best freight and delivery option for your location.
A striking and highly decorative pair of antique porcelain mantel vases, richly adorned in an exuberant Rococo revival style. Each vase features lavish gilt relief ornamentation with scrolling acanthus and foliate handles framing finely hand-painted floral bouquets in vivid pinks, ochres, blues, and whites. The scalloped rims and intricate crackle-pattern gilding lend the pieces a theatrical elegance characteristic of late 19th to early 20th century continental decorative arts.
The reverse reveals their pale celeste-blue ground and, notably, historic period repairs to one vase using antique metal staple restorations — a fascinating testament to the objects’ long life and perceived value. Rather than diminishing their presence, these old repairs contribute a compelling sense of history and survival, giving the pair a distinctly wabi-sabi character that collectors of antique ceramics often appreciate.
These would make exceptional statement pieces on a mantel, console, library shelf, or within a maximalist or eclectic interior. Beautiful both as decorative objects and as conversation pieces embodying the layered lives of antique domestic objects.
Condition: Antique condition consistent with age. One vase displays significant historic staple repairs and associated wear/discolouration; both show surface wear, age-related crazing, rubbing to gilding, and minor imperfections commensurate with age.
Production Period: Late 19th Century, est. 1840-1870.
Origin: French.
Dimensions: 33 × 24 × 11.5cm each.
A striking late 19th century carved hardwood armchair of exceptional sculptural character, richly adorned with intertwined dragon motifs and deeply worked open fret carving throughout. The chair’s dramatic crest rail and back splat feature a sinuous dragon emerging through swirling cloud forms, while the sweeping arms terminate in stylised beast heads with inset eyes, giving the piece a powerful mythic presence.
Executed in a dense dark hardwood with a beautifully aged lustre, the chair displays extraordinary hand-carved detail across every surface — from the scaled serpentine bodies and feathered flourishes to the pierced apron work and cabriole-style legs. The seat is further embellished with an incised medallion motif and geometric border carving.
Likely produced in the late Qing period for the export or high-end decorative market, the piece sits somewhere between traditional Chinese craftsmanship and the exuberant Orientalist taste that captivated European and colonial interiors during the late 19th century. It functions equally well as a sculptural statement piece, collector’s object, altar or scholar’s chair, or dramatic accent seat in an eclectic interior.
A rare and highly decorative example with remarkable visual impact.
Production period: Late 19th Century
Origin: East Asia
Condition: Age-related wear, surface marks, small losses, old repairs and separations consistent with age and use. Presents beautifully and retains strong structural integrity and presence.
Dimensions: 98 x 50 x 62cm.
In 2017, after many years of neglect, we were lucky enough to purchase the former Convent in Inverell, NSW. The building is a great old dame in need of a great deal of tender love and care.
Unbeknownst to the town at large, the previous owner (the late Gabriel Sheridan, an American attorney) had filled the Convent to the brim with vintage and antique furniture, homewares, and bric-a-brac: an enormous and chaotic mass of furniture and objects that spans eras and continents and aesthetics styles.
At last, we are ready to share the Convent’s eclectic collection of treasures with you.
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