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Will this ship deliver you good fortune?

6/20/2020

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One of our most recent acquisitions to the shop is this large heavy quality Japanese antique treasure boat "Takarabune" cast completely in solid bronze with incredible detail, c.1890.

The large sail turns to and fro and the life-like rudder on the back also moves. The large sail is decorated with images of Japan's infamous Seven Lucky Gods or Seven Gods of Fortune. During the first three days of the New Year the Seven Lucky Gods are said to pilot through the heavens to human ports as the Takarabune or Treasure Ship. As it sails into town bringing good fortune, the takarabune is celebrated in a New Year's tradition in Japan, especially by hopeful businesses.

It is superbly modeled with realistic details such as the waves and clouds motifs on the exterior with the lion and dragon among other animals along the sides. The ship is loaded full of treasures!

This interesting sculpture is destined for the finest collection or display. Come and visit us in store and have a look at this bronze masterpiece.

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When Worlds Collide - A Great Story

2/29/2020

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As you all know we love finding pieces with a story and this is one, we just couldn't wait to share. The photo on my right is of an Indian sterling silver frame by Hamilton & Co., c.1945-50, however the interesting thing is, who the photograph is of. Introducing the Maharaja Harinder Singh Brar of Faridkot who ruled over the region between 1918-1947 across the time of both World Wars.

Now you may notice the two envelopes in the photo, these were signed cards sent to the original owner of this silver photo frame, Lieutenant General Sir Iven Gillard & Lady Mackay.

Lt Gen Mackay was a senior Australian army officer who served in both World Wars. He was originally a physics tutor teaching at the University of Sydney from 1910 until the First World War broke out and he joined the Australian Imperial Force shortly after. Due his tenure he served in the 4th Infantry Battalion at Gallipoli and then moved to the Western Front and later being promoted to Brigadier General in 1918 and led the 1st Infantry Brigade in numerous battles and in the attack on the Hindenburg Line. After the war Mackay continued his studies and became Headmaster at Cranbrook School, Sydney between 1933-1939 until the time of the Second World War broke out where he was now Major General and led the 6th Division in to the Western Desert Campaign, and later in the Battle of Greece where he was the only Australian general to face the Waffen-SS in battle. In 1942 he assumed command of the Second Army where he led the New Guinea fighting campaign. After his active duties had ended he was recognised and appointed as High Commissioner to India in November 1943 where he met the Raja of Faridkot. Mackay's papers and portraits are held in the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

After doing some further research, the Raja of Faridkot passed in 1989 and as one of the remaining independent states of India his will has been highly contested in a 20 year legal battle which his two remaining daughters have just won their share of over 4 billion dollars!

Come in store and check the frame and signed letters to Lt Gen Mackay from the Raja of Faridkot. We look forward to seeing you soon and as we said we love a good story.
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Indian sterling silver frame by Hamilton & Co, c.1945-50 - $2,200
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Official 1919 portrait of Iven Mackay by John Longstaff
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AAADA Antiques & Arts Fair Sydney 2019

8/3/2019

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Greene & Greene Antiques are pleased to be taking part in the annual Sydney Antiques and Art Fair at the White Bay Cruise Terminal, 2041 James Craig Road, Rozelle NSW 2039.

Be witness to an extraordinary variety of art and antiques from Australia's best dealers.
We will be exhibiting a collection of our finest antique jewellery, silver and a range of decorative objects, including some pieces we have kept aside especially for the Fair.  


We were lucky enough to be voted the favourite stand by the public at last years Sydney Fair!

Please feel free to come and visit us in the shop this week to pick up a complimentary entry ticket for you and a guest. We also have Gala Preview tickets for two people on Thursday 22 August.

TICKETS
22 August - Gala Preview $50
23 - 25 August - General Admission $20
Passouts are available to return on general admission days of the fair

Look forward to seeing you there!
Tickets available at the door or online

https://aaada.org.au/sydney/
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May Birthstone is Emerald

5/1/2019

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​Emerald like aquamarine, is a variety of beryl, a mineral that grows with six sides and up to a foot long in length. Emerald colour can range from light green to a deep rich green. As the birthstone for May, the emerald, is a symbol or rebirth. It is believed to grant the owner foresight, good fortune and youth. Emerald, derived from the word "smaragdus", means quite literally "green" in Greek.

The deeper or more green an emerald, the more valuable it is. The rarest emeralds will appear to be an intense green-blue. Emeralds are found all over the world, including Colombia, Brazil, Afghanistan and Zambia. However the emerald was mined in Egypt as early as 330BC, but some estimate that the oldest emeralds are 2.97 billion years old.

Cleopatra is perhaps the most famous historical figure to cherish emeralds. She even claimed ownership of all emerald mines in Egypt during her reign. The Egyptians used emeralds both in jewellery and in elaborate burials, often burying emeralds with monarchs as symbols of protection. That be said, it is still widely prized by the rich and famous, with Elizabeth Taylor's famous emerald pendant sold for $6.5 million in 2011.


​The pieces pictured below to celebrate the May birthstone of Emerald are a Continental gold, silver, rose cut diamond and emerald necklace c.1880; a pair of 1950s 18ct white gold and diamond set bow shaped earrings with polished natural emerald drops; and then rings from left to right are a 1930s platinum, emerald and diamond bombe shaped ring; a traditional 18ct yellow and white gold, emerald and diamond oval cluster ring; an 18ct white gold ring set with diamonds and a 1.86ct oval emerald; and a platinum and 18ct white gold ring set with diamonds and a square cut natural emerald c.1960.

​Come and visit us in store here at Greene & Greene Antiques to celebrate the May birthstone Emerald and its fabulous colours.
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Vitreous Enamel

4/10/2019

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We love good quality hand painted vitreous enamel at Greene & Greene Antiques and we have just bought some interesting pieces over the weekend.

First I want to start with a quick explanation of what vitreous enamel exactly is. Vitreous enamel is a material made by fusing powdered glass by firing. The powder melts, flows and then hardens to a smooth durable vitreous coating. The word comes from Latin, meaning "glassy".
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To continue, see the image on the left with a selection of our new silver and enamel pieces:
1. A pair of 1950s gilt metal and hand painted vitreous enamel cufflinks with the colour and insignia of the Royal Engineers
(left);
2. A sterling silver and vitreous enamel Royal Australian Air Force sweetheart brooch, c.1940 (top left);
3. A hallmarked sterling silver napkin ring with vitreous enamel Birmingham 1930 (top mid);
4. A hallmarked sterling silver napkin ring with vitreous enamel Glasgow 1953 (top right);
​5. A hallmarked sterling silver vesta case with a vitreous enamel shield of St John's College Oxford University by Blanckenesee & Sons Birmingham 1902 (bottom right).
After some further research into the sterling silver napkin ring in the middle of the image above, we found that it was in fact used as a presentation prize for sailing. The front enamelled with a red and black burgee with gold anchor, represents the Mudhook Yacht Club. Not pictured above but on the reverse it has a contemporary engraved inscription which reads 'MUDHOOK REGATTA 1930 STEERSMAN'S PRIZE WON BY 'HERMES'', by J W Benson, Birmingham 1930. Mudhook Yacht Club was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest clubs in sailing history. It is based in north shore of the River Clyde in Scotland and is a fairly unique club being limited to only forty members. According to the club website: "It was (the club) particularly noted for only giving two prize in any race but both prizes were of a very high quality".

It's one of the best parts of our job to locate and find these unique pieces with these unwritten stories. Explore our stock online (we try to keep it up to date) or come and visit us in store here at
​Greene & Greene Antiques to view an intriguing collection of silver and vitreous enamel pieces.
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The Origin of Chess

3/1/2019

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The origins of Chess, according to scholarly research, is traced back as far as sixth century India, making it a later invention than other board games, such as Backgammon. The Indian ancestor of Chess was known as Chauranga, the Sanskrit word for the four members or components of an Indian Army: elephants, horses, chariots and foot soldiers. From India the game travelled to Persia, and once the Arabs conquered Persia, chess was taken up by the Muslim world and subsequently spread to Southern Europe. In Europe, chess evolved into roughly its current form in the 15th century.

"Romantic Chess" was the predominant chess playing style from late 15th century to the 1880s. Which emphasised more on quick, tactical manoeuvres rather than long-term strategic planning. In this period there were a number of notable players, especially Howard Staunton who dominated the game in the 1840s. Following on from this period was the Scientific, Hypermodern and New Dynamism eras.

Chess remains a highly popular pastime among the general population to this day. A 2012 World Chess Federation survey found that "chess players now make up one of the largest communities in the world: 605 million adults play chess regularly". Chess is played at least once a year by 12% of British people, 15% of Americans, 23% of Germans, 43% of Russians, and 70% of Indian people.

Here at Greene & Greene Antiques, we are avid collectors of all chess and board game sets and pieces. Image below is a 1930s Staunton chess set in boxwood, in mint condition. Please view our Chess & Board Games section under our shop banner to see a range of items we have in stock, or other wise come and visit us in store as we always carry a selection of interesting objects for the mad collector. 
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Melbourne Antiques & Art Fair 2018

4/21/2018

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Greene & Greene Antiques are pleased to be taking part in the annual Melbourne Antiques and Art Fair at the Melbourne Showgrounds, 08 Town Square Pavilion, Gate 5, Langs Road, Ascot Vale VIC 3032.

Allow yourself to fall under the spell of an extraordinary variety of art and antiques from Australia's best dealers. We will be exhibiting a collection of our finest antique jewellery, silver and a range of decorative objects.

Please feel free to come and visit us in the shop this week to pick up a complimentary entry ticket for you and a guest. We also have Gala Preview tickets for two people on Thursday 3 May.

TICKETS
3 May - Gala Preview $30
4 - 6 May - Adult $20
Passouts are available to return on general admission days of the fair

Look forward to seeing you there!
Tickets available at the door or online

https://aaada.org.au/melbourne/

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February Birthstone is Amethyst

2/3/2018

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Amethyst is the gemological term for purple quartz and is a beautiful blend of violet and red that can be found in every corner of the earth. In fact, quartz is the second most abundant material found in the Earth's crust. Amethyst derives its colour from natural irradiation, iron impurities and the presence of trace elements. Its hardness is the same as other quartz, which makes it a durable and lasting option for jewellery. 

A funny fact is that Amethyst, the name comes from the Ancient Greek, derived from the word "methustos", which means "intoxicated". The Ancient Greeks wore and carved drinking vessels out of the gemstone with the belief that it would protect them from drunkenness.

​The pieces pictured below to celebrate the February birthstone of Amethyst are a Georgian amethyst necklace, with foil backed stones pinch and rub set in silver and gold, c.1820; At the front left an Edwardian amethyst and diamond brooch, set in detailed 18ct white gold, c.1910; To the front right a Late Victorian 15ct yellow gold, amethyst and seed pearl brooch, c.1880; Now at the back, an amethyst cocktail ring set in 14ct yellow gold, c.1960; And a Late Victorian amethyst and diamond ring set in 18ct yellow gold, c.1890.

​Come and visit us in store here at Greene & Greene Antiques to celebrate the February birthstone Amethyst and its striking colours.
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23 Days until Christmas!!

12/2/2017

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​Can you believe it's December already? Are you asking where did the time go, well don't waste it because we only have 23 days left before Christmas Day! Get in quick and find that perfect gift for that special person in your life to thank them for the year of 2017.
December's birthstones offer three ways to fight the winter blues or in Australia represent the three beautiful shades of our oceans: tanzanite, zircon and turquoise.

These gems range from the oldest on earth (zircon), to one of the first mined and used in jewellery (turquoise), to one of the most recently discovered (tanzanite).

​All of these stones beauty rivals even the most precious gems. Colourless zircon is a convincing replacement for diamond, tanzanite often substitutes sapphire, and turquoise is unmatched in its hue of blue.

​Since the Early Ages, Turquoise (image of items on the right) has been believed to aid in spiritual growth and it is also associated with the mythical ability that attracts money, success and love. Its mysterious powers also include protection, healing, courage, friendship and luck. It relaxes the mind, and eases mental tension.
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Whatever your style preference or budget, one of December's three birthstones will match your true blue desires. Come and visit us in store at Greene & Greene Antiques, Woollahra for a range of precious gifts this Christmas.
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Pope Joan - Legend or Board Game

9/30/2017

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Feel like playing a traditional game over this long weekend? Well why don't you try something new or something old should we say.

​POPE JOAN. The traditional equipment for this game, as illustrated on the right, consists of a wooden lacquer box divided into nine compartments, three sections for the decks of cards, four for mother of pearl gaming chips and two containing the stacked eight papier mache dishes each displaying their label: Pope (9♦), Matrimony, Intrigue, Ace, King, Queen, Knave and Game. Any number of players can take part and each receive thirty mother of pearl counters at the beginning of the game. A fifty-two card pack completes the equipment. This rare Pope Joan, shown with the lid and the interior, is Cantonese and dates from the first quarter of the nineteenth century. 
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The aim of the game is to either be the first to play all the cards of a hand; or to win the most counters by playing certain cards.

​Now for some history on the naming of this pastime. The game was presumably named after Pope Julius II, the Warrior Pope, or it derives from the legend that Pope John VIII was actually a woman. As the Catholic Church denies a female pope, the legend was used as protest propaganda in the Victoria era, which also explains the popularity of the game in Scotland. Funnily enough, the 9♦ is sometimes called the Curse of Scotland.
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Doesn't this game sound intriguing? Come and try something new and old this long weekend, and visit us in store at Greene & Greene Antiques, Woollahra.


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​Pope Joan game in original
​Cantonese box, c.1820 - $2,450
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GREENE & GREENE
Antiques - Jewellery - Silver
86 Queen Street, Woollahra, NSW 2025, Australia
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