Moorabool Antique Galleries

Love the ‘OSP’ - Old Sheffield Plate - dating to the latter , and ceasing in the 1850’s when they invented electroplating, this technique was much more complicated than making something from solid silver / each component was carefully stamped out to preserve a silver sheet either side of a copper sheet, and the joins laboriously soldered and hidden with mouldings and decoration…. Solid silver was so much simpler! And with electroplate invention, things get Brash - it could all be cast & dipped, no metal working skills needed. OSP has a wonderful hand-built attitude, and a great feeling of craftsmanship & age. Part of the charm is the ‘blush’, where the pink of the copper begins to shine through. Some splendid pieces about to enter stock at Moorabool.com, including a chamberstick by , candlesticks by Watson & Bradbury, a wine coaster by H. Freeth (interesting story to follow!) and the coffee pot? It’s a design registered by Roberts, Cadman & Co, circa 1805 - in Bristol! So is it ‘OSP’ or ‘OBP’ - Old Bristol Plate!?

We’re fully open! Mondays by appointment, Tue-Fri 11-4, Saturday 12-4. A super busy day on Saturday, great to see Melbourne antique lovers escaping for some browsing-therapy ….. we’re very well stocked, with several hundred fresh, choice items about to go onto our website. Like this matched couple…. ‘New Dancers’ circa 1765, she got the big flowery bocage, he missed out! Not a pair, ie slightly different bases & bocage size. (‘Bocage: the leafy & flowery background structure applied behind figures, particularly in the 18th century’). Soon to launch on Moorabool.com

Stunning! An 18th century needle case , with small flask & thimble, all screwing together into one neat parcel. Beautiful enamel painting, panels of landscapes. South Staffordshire, 1780’s , see it on Moorabool.com

A remarkable small Meissen punchbowl, with the ‘Old Ozier’ basket weave moulding & an unusual version of the Schmetterling, or ‘Butterfly’ pattern…. unusual as it is painted around twice as large as it is on most other pieces. So while the bowl looks small in the photos, it’s an optical illusion, as the pattern is giant! And what a fascinating & colourful example of Meissen’s early inspired patterns…. dating to circa 1740. Part of our ‘Fresh Stock’ released today on our website.

Some splendid , coming to our website shortly. Join our mail list via our home page to see them first!

Moorabool’s shop in is open again from tomorrow, Tuesday 28th September. Call or book an appointment via our website …. website open always!

19th Century lovelies 💕…. A few pieces of ‘virtu’ just released on our website, pretty little Victorian , , and , all fresh to stock.

Wonderful Worcester! from the 1770’s, spectacular examples of ground with , all factory decoration, all original, and all in terrific condition! See them on our website or DM for details.

The first day of is here for us, and to welcome it, a fabulous table mirror from 1906 - the absolute definition of , it’s known as ‘the first cuckoo’ - the graceful figure of a lady cups her hand to her ear to listen for the first cuckoo of Spring……. released today as part of our Fresh Stock release on Moorabool.com

A little bit of …. Just the
‘kitchen Ming’ variety, otherwise known as or trade ware…. The big chunk of clay at the top is rather nice, while intended for an incense stick on an altar, it makes a great paperweight! These are about to be released on our Fresh Stock page, via Moorabool.com homepage…..

Bathtime…. Some lovely vases, many different makers, off for a wash before their photo shoot - to appear shortly as part of our annual mid-year exhibition on Moorabool.com

These ‘ ’ seem a bit flat, the Olympics are over…. and were there sports, I think, so probably missed out on medals…. 😁. Quite amazing ‘dummy boards’, or fireside companions, used to make a large empty house feel occupied- or in this case, we’ll guarded. 18th century Continental, one has a beautiful old gallery label for Banger, Germany, circa 1910. See them now on the website - search for ‘dummy’, there’s only one! #