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Antiques DownUnder - Season 3 Episode 7 -
Episode 07
Episode 07
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00:00Welcome to Antiques Down Under.
00:29We're on the search for incredible antiques and collectibles.
00:33From private collections, historic homes, backyard sheds, museums and galleries.
00:38We'll be talking to the experts, the custodians and the passionate collectors.
00:42Coming up on this episode of Antiques Down Under,
00:45I catch up with the great-great-grandson of woodcarver, Penzel.
00:50Art Nouveau, Claudia catches up with a passionate collector.
00:55For the love of dolls, Claudia takes a look at dolls over the years.
01:02And Elizabeth steps back in time, remembering the local milk bar.
01:07Today Antiques Down Under has the pleasure of meeting the great-great-grandson of Robert Penzel,
01:21one of Australia's most prominent carvers and furniture makers.
01:26Tell us a little about your great-great-grandfather.
01:29Well, it's on my mum's side. I'm the third, so great-great-great.
01:35Basically, my granddad retired and I was probably about six or seven,
01:41so it was the right time for him to have ample time to tell me all about it.
01:46Tell you all the family history. Yeah, exactly right.
01:48Show you some of the items that he worked with and you've collected.
01:51I have.
01:52And a heap of memorabilia.
01:54And I have a select archive.
01:55It's taken us quite about an hour to get through.
01:57Oh, yeah.
02:03Robert Penzel's so admired, especially here in Victoria,
02:07and he did work for incredible pastoralists in the Western District, didn't he?
02:12A lot of the families.
02:13Yeah, Stuart and Isabella Black, the Black family of the Western District.
02:18Magical staircase with pieces that are carved in the round.
02:22Right, yeah.
02:23Which is very rare for Penzel.
02:24And how many of those?
02:25There's about 36, I believe.
02:26I think there's, yeah, 36 or 37 panels.
02:29Down here, we've got a sign.
02:32Yeah, so that was his shop-stein.
02:35So, I can't believe it, but he'd actually put this at the front of his little wood-carving shop
02:41on Bourke Street made its way to Sturt Street, which was his second building in South Melbourne.
02:47Basically, to say that he was open, but also to show the kids this was the window that you needed to come.
02:54Yeah.
02:55To watch the cranky old man sit there and turn blocks of wood into beautiful animals.
03:01Oh, yeah.
03:02And did some magnificent bedroom suites.
03:04If you were a fancy family and you had a homestead,
03:07it was very fashionable to get Penzel to carve a full suite for you.
03:17So, what we have here is a collection of his chisels.
03:21He had so many, but each one has a handle created out of...
03:27By him, by him.
03:28Yeah, but also created from the timber of whatever he was working on.
03:33At the time.
03:34So, every chisel is a different timber.
03:37Timber, yep.
03:38And some of them are really beautiful.
03:40If you have a look at the burl work in there, that's burl walnut.
03:43Yeah.
03:44Which, you just won't get colour like that in anything else.
03:46No, of course not.
03:47But, be careful, they're still sharp.
03:53You were telling me there's something special about this one.
03:56This is my favourite one.
03:57Yeah.
03:58I couldn't lay my hands on the photo of him using it.
04:00Yeah.
04:01But he was carving an eagle lectern for one of the big churches in Melbourne.
04:06He did so much work in the churches.
04:09Yeah.
04:10But this funny looking chisel here is actually for the nose of the kookaburra.
04:17Oh, right.
04:22Tell me about these beautiful saws.
04:24Well, this one here, if my grandad was here, he'd play it for you.
04:29But I can't.
04:31This was actually one of his favourite wood saws.
04:33Further down here, we've got a lovely piece here.
04:36Ah, look.
04:37I've always said that ugly is beautiful.
04:41But this is...
04:43He's referring to me either.
04:44Not at all.
04:45Just myself in the mirror sometimes.
04:47This piece here just goes to show how Prenzel was able to take something grotesque and still add comedy to it.
04:54Right.
04:55Which, yeah, I think is beautiful.
04:57Now, Benjamin, tell us about this very special piece of furniture that you own.
05:05Okay.
05:06So this was handed down to me by my grandparents.
05:10It's one of a kind.
05:12Yep.
05:13So this wonderful piece of furniture has two generations of Prenzel.
05:17Right.
05:18So the cabinet was made by one generation.
05:20Yep.
05:21And my lovely little kookaburra here was made by great, great, great Grandfather Prenzel.
05:27Right.
05:28So the two were put together?
05:29Yeah.
05:30It's the only piece in the world.
05:35Well, it's been a fantastic time with you today.
05:38And learning more about your family history has been beautiful.
05:41Hopefully more people will know his name and be able to look it up and just see how amazing artist he was.
05:50This has to be one of the prettiest and maybe heaviest mysterious objects we've had on Antiques Down Under.
06:08Okay.
06:09What do you think this lovely object is?
06:12Wow.
06:13It's very heavy.
06:14It is.
06:15And very beautiful.
06:16I'm going to guess it's some kind of jewellery box with the little compartments here.
06:23Okay.
06:24Now, Louise, I hope you can help us out and tell us what you think this gorgeous item is.
06:29Oh, gosh, it's heavy.
06:30Yeah.
06:31Well, looking at the ballerina in there, I'm thinking it could be a music box of sorts.
06:36And there's something under here that might wind up.
06:38But what mystifies me are these little things.
06:41Possibly for something for a posy of flowers or perfume bottles, maybe.
06:46Mm-hmm.
06:47Something like that.
06:48If they all were the same size.
06:49Okay.
06:50So it's feminine.
06:51It's feminine, definitely.
06:52Alrighty.
06:53Do you want to guess the mystery object?
06:55Head to our Facebook and Instagram pages to enter.
06:58Art Nouveau was a movement born from nature and defined by elegance.
07:13Collector Jason Brown is keeping that spirit alive.
07:17Oh, Jason, I feel like I'm in a formal dining setting from 1890.
07:26Yes, we just need a few guests around the table, such as Sarah Bernard or Oscar Wilde.
07:31Oh, now that we could do.
07:32That would be some interesting chat.
07:34The thing I love about even just what's around us is that it perfectly exemplifies what Art Nouveau was.
07:41And that is a movement that travelled through so many different countries.
07:45Absolutely.
07:46And I've travelled through some of those countries.
07:48And it's been a joy to not just find the ones you'd expect, but to find the little places.
07:58The universality of it was interpreted through their own cultures.
08:02But it was all brought together by that love of beauty and that passion for newness.
08:07So let's wind back.
08:09So we're looking at probably 1890 to 1910, inspired by nature.
08:15What was it about nature?
08:18Look, I think it was everything had got so ordered and controlled by historicism.
08:24And people wanted to have something new.
08:27And that whole end of the 19th century was very future oriented.
08:33And so it was in many ways the art of the future as seen by the people of the time.
08:38And they wanted to also bring nature back in because people had moved away from nature.
08:43I adore this Vienna secessionist candlestick holder.
08:48Look, it is one of my favorites because it's elegant and simple at the same time.
08:53But it has those flowing lines that you associate with Art Nouveau.
08:56What's really interesting on the table there, you've got this piece from Liberties of London.
09:00It's actually Celtic influence done by Archibald Knox.
09:04And he was influenced by Celtic art.
09:06And he brought the Art Nouveau influence and the Celtic art together.
09:09Jason, I get the impression that this love affair you have with Art Nouveau has been going on a long time.
09:18So long that I don't want to talk about the length of time.
09:21But as a student, I met Anna Copeland, who was a great dealer of that period.
09:27And this was in front of her window in a new shop and I fell in love immediately.
09:32So I scraped together every fortnight as much of the student allowance as I had to pay for it.
09:39It took me months.
09:40Where is this piece from?
09:42It's French, but it's made by Goldscheider, who's one of the great porcelain makers of the Art Nouveau period.
09:53And this is a very special one for me because of that time and place and friendships.
09:58The alleged namakiti av inkitoris of friendship lovers conquering time.
10:03It's just a great message.
10:05Now, we can't talk about Art Nouveau and not talk about glassware.
10:14I think the thing about the glassware is that it took everything to a whole new level.
10:20Again, the organic nature of Art Nouveau is picked up.
10:23And Emil Gallet, who this is one of his works, as is that one, had been a botanist.
10:28And he brought that study to the thing.
10:31So his work there and the pieces in it.
10:34What's really interesting is who he influenced.
10:36And this little one here is Dorm.
10:39And the Dorm brothers worked for him and eventually continue on today as a company making the most beautiful glass.
10:47Interesting you should say that because looking at the two, the colours are so similar.
10:51The feel is similar.
10:53Look, I think that's right.
10:54I mean, they worked together for a long time and there was no animosity between the companies.
10:59And so you see, I think what's important, you see the floral elements, but not just for this glass, but the other glass you see here.
11:07At the end of the day, it's about light.
11:08And this was the first time they actually had light because you had electricity.
11:13And before that, you couldn't display these glasses.
11:16So the lamps of Tiffany and the lamps of Galet and Dorm used that first electric light to create a whole new environment.
11:25The lovely thing about the Art Nouveau period is the graphic design of the time was bringing art into the street.
11:35So they were becoming outdoor galleries.
11:37Now, this is a gorgeous piece.
11:39What's interesting about this piece, and it's by George de Fur of Joan of Arc, who, of course, was a fabulous person in that period when it was actually Sarah Bernhardt who played the role.
11:51These posters were the original ones that went on the wall, but people used to take them down and a couple of entrepreneurs realised there was cash to be made.
11:59So they work with the artist to do these miniatures.
12:01So these are original prints by the artist.
12:04The wonderful thing about Art Nouveau was it was considered a total art.
12:14And what I've tried to do here is live in the art, and I've created a total art environment.
12:34Who needs a time machine?
12:40I mean possibly one of Australia's largest and best collections of milk bar collectibles.
12:45The term milk bar originated in 1932 when a Greek Australian, Nick Adams, created its first milk bar, which sold only sodas and milkshakes.
12:55Eventually, the milk bar turned into the local convenience store, selling everything from newspapers and milk and ice creams to groceries and so on.
13:03It has become an iconic Australian institution.
13:07So, Cameron, let's go down memory lane.
13:10Let's do it, Liz.
13:16So, Cameron, tell me about your earliest memories of milk bars.
13:19Well, Liz, I can remember in the early days, you know, I'd be 11 or 12 playing football at our local ground.
13:26I'd ride there on my bike and I would play the game and then watch another game afterwards.
13:31Then it would be about lunchtime and I had some money from my parents to go to the shop.
13:36I'd get a pie.
13:37I'd get a pint of milk.
13:39The lady in the milk bar would give me a pint of milk and she'd let me have two big gulps out of the top.
13:44And then she'd put some flavouring in and shake it about.
13:47And that was like my early milkshake.
13:49What a wonderful story.
13:50So, there'll be millions of Australians with memories like this.
13:53For sure.
13:54I reckon we can all relate to milk bars, early milk bars and the relationship they had with the community.
14:01So, Cameron, there's special memories about what children found in their Weet-Bix and other cereal boxes.
14:12Yeah, well, there was, Liz.
14:14Many times as a family, you would decide whether you're having cornflakes or rice bubbles or Wheaties.
14:20But probably the most special thing for all young people in the 70s and 80s was the cereal toys that you found in there.
14:27So, some of these cereal toys are really amazing.
14:30You've got lots of stories about the history of soft drinks in milk bars.
14:40Yes, Liz.
14:41Well, what we've tried to do here is we've got little sections or shelves for different companies of soft drinks throughout Australia.
14:48So, everyone knows Fanna and Coke and Pepsi are huge all over the world.
14:53But we've got some abstract companies like Totem and X and Frosty and Just Fruit, Mon and Webster's are companies that were purchased by bigger companies and slowly, you know, taken over.
15:07So, Cameron, I believe that Peter's ice cream is your most favourite collectible.
15:15Yeah, Peter's ice cream is, Liz.
15:17That's correct.
15:18That's correct.
15:19So, I collect a variety of different things.
15:21Old thick shake cups, Dixie cups, family bricks, Eskies.
15:26Anything that's Peter's branded, I collect even some more recent stuff.
15:30But my favourite collectible is this Peter's pal.
15:35Yeah, very early Peter's advertising.
15:38You might have got it in a show bag or something like that.
15:41And then you just pull this bottom piece and you can see how happy he is eating his ice cream.
15:47We've got a wonderful history about Big M milk.
15:57Yeah, Liz, Big M was bought out in 1977.
16:01In the 70s, Victoria had an oversupply of milk.
16:04So, the Victorian dairy industry bought out Big M and they flavoured milk and put it in cartons, a bit like the milk cartons.
16:12And here's an example of a Big Blueberry.
16:15Cameron began being so successful, almost put an end to the famous milkshake.
16:20That's correct, Liz.
16:21Yep, milkshakes were pretty much out because kids didn't have to wait around for a milkshake to be made.
16:26What they did was they just got their carton, shook it around a bit, opened it up and then drank it.
16:36Cameron, thanks so much for allowing Antics Down Under to come and visit.
16:40You're welcome any time, Liz.
16:42How about on the way out, would you like a milkshake?
16:44I would love a milkshake.
16:45There you go, Liz. Enjoy.
16:46Cameron, thank you so much.
16:47No problems.
16:48I'm going to score.
16:49I'm going to score.
16:50There you go, Liz.
16:51Enjoy.
16:52Cameron, thank you so much.
16:53No problems.
16:54There you go, Liz.
16:55There you go, Liz.
16:56Enjoy.
16:57Cameron, thank you so much.
16:58No problems.
17:01Dolls have been companions, storytellers and works of art for centuries.
17:19For collector Diane, each doll is a glimpse into history.
17:24So how do you move into the world?
17:25That's pretty amazing.
17:26There you go.
17:27All right.
17:28Great to go.
17:29So just a little bit more about it.
17:30That's a great event.
17:31I'm a man who has been a little bit older than I have to do with the dolphins.
17:32Have you always had an interest in dolls?
17:34Since I was a child, I have five brothers,
17:37and my safe place was to escape into my bedroom and play with my dolls.
17:41So it's always been an interest for me.
17:44So who have we got here?
17:45You have an interest in Australian dolls.
17:47Yes.
17:48This is the first registered Australian doll.
17:50It says on the back,
17:51Made in Australia by Dee Kylie Abbotsford Vic.
17:55Unbreakable, it says also.
17:58Hello.
17:59Yes.
18:00This is 1916.
18:021916.
18:03Yes.
18:04So what are you made of?
18:05This is a composition, cloth body stuffed with straw.
18:12So this is a rather handsome fellow.
18:15He's kind of made of bits and pieces.
18:17What's the story with this one?
18:18This was made by Edgar Stocks Hithersay,
18:22just after the First World War and patented in 1920.
18:27This one is well-marked.
18:29So with doll making,
18:30they were very resourceful with the materials they were using, weren't they?
18:33Yes, they were.
18:35This one's made of dental acrylic.
18:37Dental acrylic?
18:38Acrylic, yes.
18:39That was used to make dentures with.
18:41And apparently it was made in Lismore at an Air Force base.
18:45So that's during the Second World War?
18:47Yes.
18:47It was difficult to get fabrics and things to make the clothing with.
18:53So this demonstrates the use of off cuts.
18:57And also, an austerity measure was to just use tape.
19:03You didn't have to bother with buttons or snaps.
19:05This is a good illustration of the government's war organisation of industry
19:14bringing in a permit system where the manufacturers had to prove
19:18that they weren't using resources required for the war effort.
19:22And this one has a stamp on the back which says W-O-I, permit number.
19:29This is a good example of making do with what you have.
19:32Yes.
19:32And this, the legs appear to be some furnishing fabric, damask,
19:39and the same with the top, and a lovely doll.
19:43It is a lovely doll and in hard times we still have to get on with life.
19:47Yes, and it was important to keep up the morale of the children.
19:54This little one post-war, listen to the legs.
19:58What are they made of?
19:59It's aluminium, because just after the war they found they had too much aluminium.
20:04What to do with it?
20:06Now, they didn't need it for the war effort anymore.
20:09We'll make some dollies.
20:14You can see quite clearly how different the components are
20:18that make up this little doll.
20:19Yes.
20:20It was expensive to import whole dolls,
20:23so the components were brought separately and put together in Australia.
20:29So you've got German head, Japanese arms and legs,
20:33body made in Australia, and clothes made in Australia.
20:36So we go from this kind of Frankenstein idea
20:38with body parts from all over the place to the Australian.
20:42This is an Australian-made one, and it has wooden eyes.
20:46Wooden eyes.
20:47And it has Hushabai with a map of Australia on the back,
20:52made by Laurie Cohen, all original.
20:54So Australian manufacturers had arrived.
21:02She's very blinky.
21:03And what's this one made from?
21:05This one is made of Bakelite,
21:06which is interesting
21:08because all the paint chips off rather poorly.
21:12But her legs move.
21:14Yes, she's a walker.
21:16Now, this little fellow, he's very cute,
21:17but do you think he looks a little bit out of proportion?
21:20Yes, he does.
21:21He's a good example of the use of New Zealand arms,
21:25which were brought in
21:27because they didn't have to have the permit.
21:30Ah!
21:31But he's got an Australian-made head.
21:37So this is a little bit of a combo.
21:39He's the Bledisloe cup of dollies.
21:44Now, I do have a thing for ventriloquist dolls.
21:48I've got Gerry.
21:49You've got Geraldine.
21:50And I think in an industry dominated by women,
21:53we let Geraldine have the last word.
21:56Ladies and gentlemen,
21:58thank you for listening.
21:59Toodaloo, goodbye to you.
22:02Until next time, we meet.
22:04Yay!
22:13Hi, Jessie.
22:14Would you like to review what this item is?
22:16I would love to, Elizabeth.
22:18Look, this is actually an antique German helmet liner.
22:22It is made from brass,
22:23and it has the owner's name,
22:27and his name is Frederick,
22:28and he was from England.
22:31Now that was tricky.
22:32Did you get it right?
22:33Don't forget,
22:34you can guess this week's What Is It
22:36by heading to our Facebook and Instagram pages.
22:43Next time on Antiques Down Under,
22:46Gregory looks at the results of mudlarking in Australia.
22:48Everyone remembers the band Kiss.
22:52I'm in for a surprise.
22:56One of Australia's favourite sports, cricket.
22:59Gregory takes a look at an incredible collection.
23:03And Lee dips into the world of Welsh lovespoons.
23:06Missed an episode of Antiques Down Under?
23:36Check us out on Nine Now.
23:37Check us out on Nine Now.
23:38Check us out on Nine Now.
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