Our Stories and Videos
An Auction in the 'Forrest' On occasion, the Barn is lucky enough to be invited to sell the contents of a home, and oversee the dispersal of a lifetime of collecting. Artworks go to grace new walls, antique porcelain and vintage cutlery now laid out on modern dining tables, and a happy owner brings home an old (new) bedroom lamp. Some estates are special, however, because of the quality ...
The Fine Sale, Session Three: The Tea Caddy (A History of Tea in Objects, #1)
THE FINE SALE, SESSION THREE: THE TEA CADDY (A HISTORY OF TEA IN OBJECTS, #1)Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes • Last updated: 2.03.2022Blog by MoogTea is a staple of modern life: there’s nothing better than a hot cuppa on a cold day, and as we head out of Summer and into Autumn and Winter here in Canberra, we’d like to explore a unique object tied closely to the history of tea.Our ...
'Papa' Biedermeier: From Furniture to Flowers
'PAPA' BIEDERMEIER: FROM FURNITURE TO FLOWERSEstimated Reading Time: 5 minutes • Last updated: 24.01.2022Blog by Ngaire & MoogAfter a long twelve years of conflict, spanning the entire European continent, the European economic climate was forever changed. The death toll was high, and power had shifted from one country to another. With these upheavals came changes amongst th...
A Diamond (Mark) in the Rough: Decoding British Registry Marks
A Diamond (Mark) in the Rough: Decoding British Registry MarksEstimated Reading Time: 20 minutes • Last updated: 21.12.21Blog by MoogAn experienced hunter of antiques or vintage pieces always knows to look for marks - signatures, stamps, numbers, manufacturer’s name plates or even stickers and scribbles left by previous owners can be the ticket to a wealth of information on the piec...
Stan-who? A Short History of Stanhopes
STAN-WHO? A SHORT HISTORY OF STANHOPESEstimated Reading Time: 4 minutes • Last updated: 10.12.21 Blog by Moog, with Photography by Daniel A very small pair of binoculars recently came to the barn, and despite its diminutive size - only about 2cm by 2cm - it contained a whole world within…To be specific, it contains scenes from Toulon, a port to...
Under the Hammer: A Type 62 Pattern 1907 Siamese Bayonet
UNDER THE HAMMER: A TYPE 62 PATTERN 1907 SIAMESE BAYONETEstimated Reading Time: 10 minutes • Last updated: 5.12.21Blog by Tessa & MoogWe often see rare, exciting, and unique items come through the Auction Barn doors - especially when it comes to swords, daggers, bayonets, and the many other types of edged weapons out there. We’ve previously had some stunning pieces, includi...
Who made my glass paperweight?
WHO MADE MY GLASS PAPERWEIGHT?Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes • Last updated: 22.10.21 Blog by Diedre & Moog Besides keeping papers tidy, glass paperweights are fascinating, beautiful, and highly collectable objects which showcase a glass artists’ creativity and technical virtuosity. A paperweight can be a piece of art, a miniature world, or a ...
A Collector's Guide to the Works of Norman Lindsay
A Collector's Guide to the Works of Norman LindsayEstimated Reading Time: 15 minutes • Last updated: 5.10.21 Blog by Diedre & Moog One of Australia’s most successful and iconic artists, Norman Lindsay’s (b.1879 - d. 1969) works are instantly recognisable - between his irreverent characters, whimsical stylings and charismatic linework, Lindsay’s works a...
FIVE WINNING AUCTION TIPS FOR BUYERS
FIVE WINNING AUCTION TIPS FOR BUYERSEstimated Reading Time: 3 minutes • Last updated: 17.9.21 Blog by Zane We've all experienced that nerve-racking feeling. Whether we're bidding at a home auction, a local estate auction or an online auction, sometimes the pressure pushes us outside of our comfort zone and our nerves get the better of us.As an auctio...
Guess the Object #1: A Wolseley Sheep Shearing ScrewdriverEstimated Reading Time: 2 minutes • Last updated: 28.8.21 Blog by Moog B Back in July, we posted our first ever #guessthatobject challenge by featuring an unusual little metal object. Round, with two flat metal prongs, and marked ‘Wolseley’, this item was very familiar to a lot of our readers! First ...