James Conley Antiques -  www.jamesconleyantiques.com.au

Brisbane Antiques Furniture, Silver and Fine Arts Dealer

German Polyphon musical box - Circa 1880-1900

This is a fine example of a late 19th Century, German made, Polyphon musical box, enclosed in a solid walnut case. The case has panels of marquetry flowers and an implied scene of cherubs on its lid interior. The Polyphon's hand-wound spring mechanism plays 15.5" disc's; a range of 9 different tunes are included and are all in excellent working order. The Polyphon has been perfectly married with a delightful table with a single drawer, which houses the interchangeable discs.

Polyphon's and musical boxes of the 18th and 19th century were seen as automatic musical instruments, producing sounds by the use of interchangeable metal discs or cylinders plucking the tuned teeth. Polyphon's were a progression of the earlier developed musical snuff boxes of the 18th Century. The cylinders or discs are usually made of metal and powered by a spring mechanism and together were originally designed and made by artisan watchmakers.

Musical boxes come in a all sizes, ranging from smaller easily transportable pieces to larger items of furniture the size of Grandfather clocks. Most however were table top specimens like the one above. In the early 20th Century, most polyphon's were progressively substituted by 'player pianos' which were louder, more flexible and tuneful. Also aiding the demise of musical boxes and Polyphon's was the invention of the smaller gramophones which had the benefit of playing back voices.

Mass produced children's jewellery boxes still use a simplified hand-wound cylinder mechanism to thrill its audience. 

James Conley Antiques 

165 Logan Road

Woolloongabba         QLD 4102    

               

Phone: 07 3891 3880 / 0408988989

Email: james@jamesconleyantiques.com.au 

Website: www.jamesconleyantiques.com.au          

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/James-Conley-Antiques/329990927038910

An early 18th Century marquetry inlaid classic bombe shaped walnut bureau

Brisbane Antiques - www.jamesconleyantiques.com.au

An early 18^th Century marquetry inlaid classic bombe shaped walnut bureau.

The word ‘bombe’ was originally a French term, Bombe – blown out, referring to the outward curving or bulging shape in the front and sides of furniture, that reaches inward at the base.  This style of furniture was introduced in the 17^th Century and went on to become very popular by early 18^th Century.

This beautiful example found at James Conley Antiques (fine furniture) was made in Holland in the early 18^th Century. It stands 109cm in height with a matching width (109cm), depth of 62cm.  It is in excellent condition, with consideration of age, and features outstanding inlay created by inserting lighter woods into the walnut body/carcass. Standing on ball and claw feet are 3 large shaped drawers, above these is an internally decorated hinged pull down front desk supported by side runners, enclosing a well and fitted interior with an arrangement of drawers and pigeonholes. Highly decorative bronze handles and keyholes adorn the outside.

As with any bureau, the Bombe bureau is primarily functional, but its shape and marquetry inlay lends itself to decorative purposes.

James Conley Antiques 

165 Logan Road

Woolloongabba         QLD 4102    

               

Phone: 07 3891 3880 / 0408988989

Email: james@jamesconleyantiques.com.au 

Website: www.jamesconleyantiques.com.au          

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/James-Conley-Antiques/329990927038910

First post

Wow .. first blog ever, very exciting. 

A brief introduction: My name is James and I am the proprietor of James Conley Antiques, 165 Logan Road, Woolloongabba. Queensland 4102. I specialise in Antique furniture, silver and fine art, importing from all across the world.

Before Christmas I spent a month in Europe sourcing some of the most fabulous pieces; really unique, individual items that I know you'll love. I'm pleased to announce their  arrival on Australian soil.

The website is in the middle of an overhaul, my apologies, but rest assured I will be uploading images of all my latest pieces over the next few weeks. In the mean time why not pop by and see me at the gallery and see them for yourself.

I have also been invited to take the front page of the "Antique and Art' magazine. So I  have choosen to feature a stunning Grandfather clock that was made by George Harrison who was an apprentice to Thomas Tompion many years ago. It's an outstanding clock, one of the best I have ever seen. So look out for this cover in the next few months. 

I often find these special pieces whilst overseas, and feel owning something of this credence is a fantastic investment as they are very few and far between. What people have to remember is that Antiques are 'one-off pieces', of fine craftsmanship, they are not mass produced or flat-packed. If you look hard enough you may find something similiar but you may possibly never find the same. We  are rolling out of the era of wanting the same as your neighbour, and anyone with style is looking for the idividuality that Antiques can give you. As their flat-packs fall apart, people are looking for quality not quantity. It makes sense to purchase furniture that has already passed the test of time and in 10 or 20 years will still be standing, still be worth what you paid for it and is likely to be worth more than the day you purchsed.

Web: www.jamesconleyantiques.com.au