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00:00Music
00:30Welcome to Antiques Down Under.
00:33We're on the search for incredible antiques and collectibles.
00:37From private collections, historic homes, backyard sheds, museums and galleries.
00:42We'll be talking to the experts, the custodians and the passionate collectors.
00:47Coming up on this episode of Antiques Down Under,
00:50the history of gay rights in Australia as I visit Qtopia in Sydney.
00:56Claudia plays with the monkeys.
00:57The monkeys of Melbourne's ceramics, that is.
01:02And Elizabeth and I discover the world of recycling and upcycling in Sydney.
01:12I'm in the centre of the gay world of Sydney, where everything began in 1978.
01:18The very, very first Mardi Gras.
01:20But I was here before that.
01:23Capricios.
01:24Kinsalas.
01:26Stonewall.
01:27The Oxford, my favourite drinking hole.
01:30But today we're going to tell the story of gay life in Sydney in the 70s.
01:35The fight for equality.
01:42I'm with Ravel, who was one of the 78ers.
01:45I am.
01:46The youngest one, I believe.
01:48You'd better go in the cell and tell me your story.
01:55Well, Ravel, tell us about your experience.
01:58So I'm the youngest 78er that got pulled in on the night.
02:02We had a permit to College Street, from Oxford Street to College Street.
02:06And then we decided to go up to King's Cross, where it all went bad, basically.
02:12My school friend and I were helping to get a policeman off a lady who was being put into a paddy wagon.
02:19Therefore, we got pulled into the paddy wagon.
02:21We ended up in the front room here at the police station, now Kewtopia, and they understood that we were underage, basically.
02:32So they called our family, and the family came and got us out.
02:36Many hours later, and the cell we're actually in at the moment is one of three cells, where 53 of them, mainly women, were put in for 24 hours.
02:53Hi there.
02:54Hello.
02:55Welcome.
02:56Welcome to Kewtopia, Sydney.
02:59It's fantastic to be here.
03:01Let me show you around.
03:06Explain the symbols here in the front door, welcoming everyone on this modern version of the rainbow.
03:12These symbols are really, really interesting.
03:14The very first one, the pink triangle and the black triangle, they were actually used in the concentration camps.
03:19They were patches that were worn on uniforms to identify homosexual men in the camp.
03:24The black triangle was used for women.
03:26Right.
03:26And the 78ers, who were those who were originally marched in the first Mardi Gras, they've used it as their symbol.
03:31So it's very important for where we are, we're in an old police station, and it's been converted into Kewtopia, a museum, and it's heritage listed, which means we can't change anything.
03:42But the one thing we were allowed to do was to carve their logo into the ground, so it's very important.
03:48The second symbol, of course, which I think most people are more familiar with, are rainbows, which is a new symbol of activism the community uses year after year.
03:56Let's go and have a look at another room here.
03:58It's a bit of a large cell compared to the cell I expected to see, but let's go and see the history there.
04:05Let's go have a look.
04:12Tell us about the story in this room.
04:14This is a collage to activism, and in here we've got all sorts of pieces of visibility, whether it's Ian Roberts' jersey that he wore on the outside being an out player on the rugby field, Courtney Hack's dress that she wore on Australian Idol, or even Magda Zavansky's T-shirt that she wore during the marriage equality campaign.
04:32You've also got the Sisters of Petual Indulgence.
04:36Of course.
04:36They have been a part of Mardi Gras ever since it started.
04:40They are still active and still working today.
04:44George, tell us about the stories in this room.
04:50Oh, this is a great room.
04:51This was created by an artist, Jeremy Smith, and he's an outsider artist, and Sydney University commissioned him to create a little mural to put into their library, and we're very fortunate to have a replica of it here at Cutopia.
05:04And what it covers is the history of queer Australia.
05:08It starts off in First Nations history and then makes its way around.
05:12It covers the early colonial, Captain Moonlight in the bush, right through to even Mardi Gras, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and even modern Mardi Gras, the HIV epidemic that affected the community, as well as even the establishment of Cutopia itself.
05:28Liz, what are you doing in here?
05:37I'm looking for inspiration.
05:39What for?
05:40For the next Mardi Gras.
05:42I've found something for you.
05:43I think you look stunning in it.
05:45What about this?
05:46Oh, yeah.
05:47Frilly number.
05:47Can you make it up for me?
05:49George, thanks for having us here today.
05:56It's been an absolutely wonderful view and tour of Cutopia.
06:00It's been a joy to have you here today, and I look forward to seeing you maybe next year on the Mardi Gras Parade out on Oxford Street, maybe as a marching boy like you did a little while ago.
06:10It was a long while ago, but we could say marching grandpa.
06:16Have you still got the hot hands?
06:17Yes.
06:33I've got a cute little item here.
06:35Now, Louis, what do you think this is, and when do you think it's from?
06:41Well, at first, it looks like a bullet, but if I open up, I can see some needles and some
06:47thread.
06:48So, I reckon it's a sewing kit.
06:50And when do you think it's from?
06:51Well, based on the spiral patterns, which is slightly reminiscent of 16th century to maybe 17th century.
06:59Now, Jan, what a lovely, interesting object is.
07:02Oh, that is interesting.
07:03What do you think it is, and when do you think it's from?
07:07Well, it's made of grass, and oh, it's a little sewing kit.
07:13Isn't that interesting?
07:15It's quite finely detailed.
07:17Yep.
07:17I'd say late 19th century, early 20th century, I would say.
07:23Okay, good guess.
07:25Do you want to guess the mystery object?
07:28Head to our Facebook and Instagram pages to enter.
07:31I can remember coming to Melbourne in the late 80s and early 90s and coming away with one
07:45of these mugs, Felix the Cat, another one of my heroes, and it's by Monkeys of Melbourne.
07:51And I've met the most wonderful Monkeys of Melbourne collector, Ian Brennan, and I'm a bit jealous
07:56of this collection.
08:00Ian, Monkeys of Melbourne, very, very well-known here in Melbourne for their character ceramics.
08:07What was the first one you bought?
08:09The first one was Marvin the Martian.
08:12It was a plate, and I found it in an op shop.
08:16They were selling it for $50, and I thought, I hummed and hard, I thought, maybe a bit too
08:19much, and waited a little while and came back, and I eventually bought it for $40.
08:23When did you first start collecting Monkeys of Melbourne?
08:26I first started in 2014.
08:282014?
08:29That's kind of coming to Monkeys of Melbourne a little bit later, because they were big in
08:34the 80s and 90s.
08:36So did you know about them before?
08:38I purchased that, and that's when I realised on the back it said Monkeys of Melbourne, which
08:42I didn't know at the time, but later on I did some research and realised that I did know
08:46of them, because I've seen their glasses and their character glasses in places like Granny
08:52Maze.
08:52Felix the Cat is one of the very well-known Monkeys of Melbourne licensed characters.
09:01He features in your collection, doesn't he?
09:02Yes, quite a bit.
09:03There's quite a few items I've found through the years.
09:06We have quite a collection, so what do you love about Monkeys of Melbourne ceramics?
09:10Like all the colours and the designs that they had at the time, their plates and their
09:15vases and all the different quirky little things.
09:18Things like Disney and Looney Tunes and Felix the Cat.
09:25Now probably one of the best known Monkeys of Melbourne figures is the Phantom, and you've
09:31got the brilliant Phantom Lamp here.
09:34Now this is extremely desirable.
09:36Where'd you pick him up?
09:37Going to the newspaper, or we have a Phantom Lamp to sell.
09:39Drive over and pick it up.
09:40He's a hero, and very expensive on eBay.
09:44They're getting rather expensive, some of them, yes, but mine was very reasonable when
09:48I bought it.
09:49But yes, it's a very well-known, iconic design, and a lot of people know about it.
09:53And also, it was used in a lot of TV shows in Australia, comedy shows.
09:57In the background, you often see a Phantom Lamp.
10:00And they had a few versions of it, a few different colour variations.
10:03There was four colours.
10:05The main one was the purple, which is just a normal one.
10:08Then they also released a limited edition.
10:11There was a matte black, and there was a gloss black, and they did a special blue edition.
10:16I think it was for Switzerland, with the national colour.
10:20So there's only a couple of those around.
10:22Look at these dancing ladies, dancing little African children.
10:32Tell me about the dancing ones.
10:34I thought it was part of their dancing period, and I think after their jazz period, they started
10:38making dancing characters.
10:40And then, of course, we've got the Australiana.
10:42Now, this is a take on the Flying Ducks.
10:45Yes.
10:45Monkeys of Melbourne version.
10:46The Flying Black Cockatoos.
10:48The cockatoos are really humorous, aren't they?
10:51I mean, look at this one.
10:52They're quite popular and very cute there.
10:55The white ones there, where they have pink sunnies and tropical flowers around them.
10:59They're fantastic.
11:00With the Australiana ones, I love the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
11:04It's got the fireworks bursting in the sky.
11:07Yes, that was when the first time they started putting the fireworks off the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
11:10It's when this one first came out.
11:13Now, Monkeys did a fabulous range of Memphis designs, and Memphis was really big in the 1980s.
11:25It started in Italy, and then it's filtering down to Australia with really, really fun designs like that.
11:32Well, I didn't know the Memphis design.
11:34I just liked the colours and the shapes.
11:36And later on, I realised they found it was called Memphis.
11:38Very bright colours and borders and zigzag.
11:41There's no real straight angles as such.
11:43Yeah, it's fantastic.
11:44Well, even the plate itself is wonderfully wonky.
11:47That one's a special plate.
11:48Yes.
11:49It was designed and painted by Anne Thorpe, who worked in Monkeys of Melbourne as a brush hand.
11:55And this one's a personal one by her that was given as a gift to a friend.
11:59So I've got it directly from the person who got it directly from Anne Thorpe.
12:03So I know this sort of designing was done by Anne Thorpe.
12:06Is there a piece or a few pieces that you've really got your sights set on?
12:11There are a few pieces I'm looking for, and especially on the dinner sets,
12:15because I find a single piece, like a cup, and I realise now there's a dinner set to this.
12:19So now I've got to find the whole dinner set.
12:21This is never going to end, is it?
12:22You're the complete the set kind of guy.
12:24Yes.
12:25So when you get one item, yes, you've got to have the whole set.
12:27And there's too many sets out there.
12:45I'm here with Rowan.
12:55Welcome, Gregory, if I might say, to Upcycle Design.
12:59In Altimo, Sydney, we're at 44 Wattle Street.
13:02You've found our little treasure here.
13:09I love fixing things.
13:10I love the idea of some of those really beautiful pieces from other times being represented.
13:18I think we've probably grown a little bit beyond our throwaway attitude of furniture coming in flat packs and lasting, you know, a year.
13:28And it's great to see younger people moving in that direction to do what we used to do when we were younger,
13:34and that's get stuff from our parents and our grandparents.
13:38To start off.
13:39Yeah, just, well, that's exactly it.
13:41And then, yeah.
13:41And it's the modern concept now of recycling and antiques are green.
13:47Because why?
13:49Yeah.
13:50Oh, for lots of reasons.
13:52These things were meant to last.
13:54Many of the materials that they're made from are either in very low supply or don't exist anymore.
14:00It's a great location for that purpose, for us to promote our recycled, upcycled concepts.
14:06It is.
14:06It's fantastic for these days.
14:08Well, I'm going to go off and have a bit of a hunt, a bit like a treasure hunt, I think.
14:14Hope you find some treasure.
14:16Thanks for inviting us here and letting you show Australia what recycling, upcycling and saving items from landfill is all about.
14:26Yeah.
14:26That's our passion.
14:27Gregory, I'd like you to have a wander around with Rob.
14:36Hi, Rob.
14:36How are you going?
14:37Can you come?
14:39After you.
14:41Rob, we're amongst all this beautiful upcycled furniture here and all this recycling.
14:46And then also some treasures, beautiful old washstand.
14:50Marvellous a range of stuff you've got here.
14:52You must have a great selection of young buyers picking all these different items.
14:56There is so many coming in at the moment that's concentrating on upcycling.
15:01Yeah.
15:01So it's a really big focus for a lot of younger people.
15:05Well, they can afford it, can't they?
15:06Yeah.
15:06That's right.
15:07Let's go see some more, shall we?
15:15Yeah, Gregory, have a look at this.
15:17A 1960s record player.
15:18With the tape machine as well.
15:22And the beautiful oak cabinet underneath.
15:24Yeah, it's sort of.
15:25Isn't that beautiful?
15:26An old library cabinet for storing the index cards for the books in the library.
15:31Lovely for storage today.
15:33And then across here, an Edwardian piece.
15:42Now all these items are getting recycled and reused, rehoused.
15:48It's absolutely fantastic.
15:51But I believe you've got a great selection of paintings.
15:53So let's go down and have a look at them and see what we can find, shall we?
15:57Let's go.
16:03Rob, we've got an incredible collection of art in this place.
16:06Piled up everywhere.
16:09It is a lot.
16:09All shapes and sizes and colours.
16:12But what a wonderful opportunity for someone to come here, go through it,
16:17and pick it out through their apartment or their house.
16:19Yeah.
16:19Especially in wintertime when they want to brighten up the house.
16:22Yes, 100%.
16:23Absolutely fantastic collection.
16:25Well, Rob, we've had a great day, you and I, together,
16:28rummaging through and finding some treasures.
16:31It's been fun.
16:31I mean, yeah.
16:33So, thanks for having us today.
16:35Oh, good.
16:36Thank you for coming.
16:37We'll see you next time we come to Sydney.
16:42More, please, sir.
16:45Look what you find in the recycle shop.
16:47Hi, Rob.
17:12You've got a most amazing business here and we're on our journey today to find items that
17:20will suit modern homes, mid-century homes and also old-world homes in the decorative arts
17:27and bric-a-brac and so on.
17:28So, what have we got here in front of us today?
17:30Here we have this individual pieces that's made by a Sydney artist in Coogee.
17:38Yes.
17:38Sonnefeld is the name.
17:40Correct.
17:41And all hand-painted?
17:42All hand-painted, yes.
17:44So, you've got some wonderful mid-century items, modern art as well, modern decorative items.
17:50And we look around all of us here, we've got art galore that will fit into art and lamps as well.
17:57So, what a wonderful setting for people who are decorating their modern apartments, mid-century
18:02apartments and old homes and old-world homes.
18:11Hi, Mitchell.
18:12Hi, good afternoon.
18:13Good afternoon.
18:14And how do you know Rowan?
18:15I've been friends with Rowan for over 20 years.
18:17So, you must know a few of his secrets.
18:19I know a few secrets, yes.
18:20Oh, that's good.
18:21And also, you must have a good idea what stock he's got.
18:24He's got a lot, yes.
18:25Exactly.
18:26Yes.
18:26And what I've noticed here, for example, how did he come across these old transport signs?
18:32They might have fell off the back of a truck.
18:34I'm not sure.
18:36But they're old.
18:37And I love these geodes.
18:39They would go into any home, wouldn't they?
18:41They're amazing.
18:41Amazingly unique.
18:42Yes.
18:43Yes.
18:44Can I take one home?
18:45If you've got some muscles, yes, you can.
18:47They're very heavy.
18:49Now, also, in my running around, I did find some almost antiques.
18:54Almost antiques?
18:55Almost antiques.
18:56Okay.
18:56This wonderful set of Royal Crown Derby.
18:59They're beautiful, aren't they?
19:00Cup, saucers and plates.
19:01And they're all hand-decorated.
19:04Yes.
19:04They're beautiful.
19:05Did you know you had these?
19:06I didn't.
19:06We've got so much stuff in here.
19:09Every day's a surprise.
19:10Now, next we're going to move on to some Asian pieces.
19:14Perfect.
19:19I love these.
19:20And these are solid marble.
19:22Solid.
19:22Very heavy again.
19:23Very heavy.
19:23Chinese food dogs.
19:24Yes.
19:25Beautiful decorative items for the front of the home.
19:27Yes.
19:28Would that go into what type of home, do you think?
19:30A modern home or mid-century home.
19:32And behind you is one of the standout pieces of art that I like.
19:36Yes.
19:36Very bright.
19:37And where do you think it's from?
19:39I would say that was made locally, but it looks like a Greek scene to me.
19:42I would assume it would go into a modern home.
19:44I would assume so as well.
19:45A beach house.
19:46A beach house, modern home.
19:47Wouldn't that be wonderful?
19:48Yes.
19:48And it's so affordable here.
19:50It is, yes.
19:51Isn't it, Justin?
19:52This is a true antique.
19:54It's bronze.
19:55It's very heavy.
19:56It's clausone and more than likely could be upcycled to a lamp.
20:02Perfect.
20:03What a wonderful idea.
20:04We're thinking of those ideas all the time.
20:06All the time, yes.
20:07Put in some big piece of cork here.
20:09Get it all wired and you're ready to go.
20:12And you can triple the value.
20:13You can.
20:13Or someone can do it themselves.
20:16They can on any weekend, a little project you've got going.
20:19We're going to move up in the age into some more modern items.
20:21For example, we've got some mid-century glass.
20:25And what were you saying about this piece here?
20:28Well, I think that would be Murano glass is the style.
20:31Very bright.
20:32Would suit any mid-century style home.
20:34Mid-century home?
20:35Yes.
20:35And of course, flowers.
20:38Flowers, yes.
20:38I think, though, this is a reproduction, though.
20:45I would say so, yes.
20:46But again, very bright and small.
20:48It's a beautiful accent piece.
20:49Yes.
20:50For a modern home or mid-century.
20:52Mid-century, yes.
20:52I love the word accent piece.
20:54Yes.
20:54You could be a home decorator.
20:56Maybe in another life.
20:57Now, this is something really interesting.
21:00It does look like mid-century West German pottery.
21:04Okay.
21:05But it's not.
21:06No.
21:07You didn't know?
21:07I didn't know.
21:08Let's find out.
21:09What does it say on the bottom here?
21:11Hathaway.
21:12Hathaway.
21:13Hathaway, sorry.
21:14Dubbo.
21:14Dubbo.
21:14Wow, okay.
21:16It's a good piece of...
21:17A New South Wales artist, then.
21:18Yes.
21:19A good bit of Australian pottery.
21:20Yes, excellent.
21:21Good.
21:21Are you taking this home?
21:22I might do.
21:23And so tell me something about this lamb.
21:25What do you think about this beautiful lamb here?
21:27This lamb, I mean, look, it would suit a modern or a mid-century home.
21:31Beautifully simple, but, you know, again, it provides an accent piece, a point of interest in the home.
21:50Geoffrey is now going to tell us what this item is.
21:53Geoffrey.
21:55In the 19th century, the British government used to collect excise on alcohol, which was by the barrel.
22:04Unscrupulous innkeepers would, of course, water it down.
22:07This one, made by Mappin and Webb for the government, specifically tests Guinness.
22:12So when you pour a pint and you put that on top of the pint, if it sinks, it's been adulterated.
22:18If it sits on the top, you've got the good deal.
22:21I think we need it these days, don't we?
22:22Oh, absolutely.
22:23Thank you very much.
22:25It's a pleasure.
22:27No worries.
22:27Now that was tricky.
22:29Did you get it right?
22:30Don't forget, you can guess this week's What Is It?
22:32by heading to our Facebook and Instagram pages.
22:35Next time on Antiques Down Under, in this special episode, the team visits the incredible Gilbert Motor Museum in Strathalban, South Australia, where we find classic cars, bikes and even a Batmobile amongst its treasures.
22:52We've had a wonderful day here today, we'll see you next time on Antiques Down Under.
23:02We'll see you next time on Antiques Down Under.
23:05Bye.
23:06Bye.
23:07Bye.
23:14Missed an episode of Antiques Down Under?
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