Happy Easter! and look what the Easter bunny left...

 

A collection of Tasmanian bird's eggs! 

 

The old labels suggest they were collected in the early 20th century.

The collection includes an albatross egg! 

Happy Easter to all my readers, I hope the Easter bunny brought you something special and some time to reflect on new beginnings. 

Until next time,

 

look out for our antiques on TV! Tourism Tasmania's "go behind the scenery"



 

We are very proud that quite a few of the antiques in the background of this catchy Tourism Tasmania's ad are from our store!  The latest tourism campaign begins today and will run until the end of May.  The concept is to encourage potential visitors to "look behind the scenery" to discover everything else that Tasmania has to offer apart from its beautiful landscape.  



Have a watch and see if you can spot the following...

One of a pair of leather wing back arm chairs...



Jar with shells and apothecary bottles...

Large glass bell dome which is used to house a model of the Oatlands Callington Mill in the ad...



Our French reticulated artist's hand and amber apothecary jars.  Many other pieces from our store were used as props including leather trunks, a drum and a top hat in leather box.  These items really helped set the quirky theatre scene.  I like also the way that the ad ends at the Theatre Royal, of which I recently featured.

I for one love the ad, I think that it is part creative genius but mostly just fun.  I adore Tasmania, we have so much to offer all travellers.  My most enjoyable holidays have been spent right here exploring the 3 million acres that I call home.

Until next time,

 

new in store! French linen aprons handmade by ourselves...

 

We are introducing a new line at The Drill Hall Emporium, French linen aprons handmade by ourselves!  We wear similar aprons in the store and have over the years had enquiries as to whether we sell them.  As such, we have decided to use some of our lovely French linen that we have stored away to create these oh so chic aprons, or tabliers, as they are called in French. 

Our apron design is different to others, we refer to ours "tension-free" aprons.  Most aprons have a loop around the back of the neck which can cause a lot of neck and shoulder tension if worn regularly, our wide cotton straps go over the shoulder and cross in the middle of the back for more comfort!   And as our own shop aprons are of the same design, we can attest first hand to the comfort factor. 

We have displayed a few on our French dressmaker's mannequins, which model them perfectly.  They are fully adjustable and can be tied around the front as well, if preferred, with the extra long straps. 

The linen used in the body of the apron is soft but durable, and a very fine quality.  It was a real pleasure to sew with!

The pocket is made from a vintage French linen ticking which we had kept until now for a special purpose. 

 

We have only a small number available at this stage, but we will extend the range to include aprons for children, and also more heavy duty aprons for wearing in the potting shed.

I would love to know what you think about our aprons?  Or better yet, come in and inspect for yourself!

Until next time,

new in store...an antique puppet theatre!

 

I have been sorting out in the back store room of The Drill Hall Emporium this week.  Scary job!  But fun, also, as I find all sorts of wonderful items that have not made it into the store until now.  And look what I uncovered yesterday, an early 20th century puppet theatre!   

It is named the Theatre Royal in gilded lettering.  We found this piece in England a few years ago at a trade fair near the Welsh border.  At the time I thought it funny as we have a Theatre Royal here in Hobart...

Image from here

Which is quite regal inside, I think with the red velvet seating and raised galleries.

Image from here

 

The Theatre Royal in Hobart opened in 1837 and was built from convict carved sandstone among the public houses, brothels, factories and tiny workers’ cottages in Campbell Street. The gallery was added in the 1850s and the theatre was redecorated in the 1890s. 

 

Back to our small scale Theatre...look at the lovely painted detail to the wooden sides.  I am wondering perhaps this piece was perhaps made during the wartime where money was scarce for shop bought toys and one was more inclined to make imaginative entertainment?  It comes complete with a red velvet curtain which has faded nicely over time to a soft rose colour. 

 

 

It comes complete with 4 miniature stage lights to light up the stage!  They are all wired in although I am not sure if they still work, they will need miniature bulbs I am sure. 

 



This would still be a fabulous piece today for the child with imagination, but for some reason I feel as if sock puppets would not really be to standard?  I will have to try and hunt down some proper antique puppets. 

Until next time,