Our Insiders decided to take a look at some of the treasures that can be found in a couple of opulent corners of Olveston. Collections within the collection if you will.
Olveston Historic Home was originally built for David Theomin and his family, a Dunedin businessman and philanthropist at the turn of the 20th century.
Left to the city of Dunedin in 1966, Olveston has been preserved to reflect the history of the wealthy family who collected artefacts and antiques in the course of their travels over many decades.
The corner cabinet
The mahogany corner cabinet in Dorothy’s sitting room is a beautiful Chippendale-style, seven-paned, glass-fronted cabinet containing some of her collections.
These were brought back to Dunedin by Dorothy as mementos of her journey to England in 1902/04. Her father, David, went to seek out new stock for his business.
The United Kingdom and Europe were awash with new art movements, and he needed to obtain items from these new movements to fill the warehouses of his importing company, David Benjamin & Co.
Dorothy was on the lookout as well, for items to fill her rooms. It was quite exciting for a 14-year-old girl.
Three items in this cabinet stand out from the others for various reasons. The first two items are on the second shelf down in front of the beautiful spiral striped Venetian glass miniature vase. These two miniature glass vases are inscribed “Daum Bros”.
This is not a common brand name in New Zealand. The factory had been founded in Nancy (France) by Jean Daum. During the Universal Exhibition held in Paris in 1900, Daum Bros. emerged as a major force on the decorative art scene.
The cabinet inside the cabinet
The third item sits on the top shelf, and, at first glance, you would think that it was just an item of ivory like the others which had been bought when the Theomins visited Hong Kong, China and Japan on their way to England.
At a closer look, the miniature ivory display cabinet has the following engraving on the top: “Dorothy Sylt”.
In 1995 senior guide, Inge Doesburg, had a look at the object and give her thoughts on it. Inge explained that Sylt was a long finger like island off the coast of North Germany. Sylt had been long favoured by wealthy Germans as the place to visit to enjoy fresh air and to help with bronchial conditions.
Perhaps, suggested Inge, the Theomins had visited Sylt after visiting Fraustadt in East Prussia. Fraustadt was the birthplace of David Theomin's parents and Sylt would have been the ideal place for Dorothy to get some clean air into her lungs. The pollution of Europe of that time would not have been good for her asthma.
The ivory cabinet would have attracted Dorothy and would make a lovely companion piece to the others which she had bought the previous year in the Far East. But who knows for sure? This is just one of the many things at Olveston which we wish we could ask the Family about!
The glass case
In Olveston’s Drawing Room you’ll find a small, floor-standing, glass-topped cabinet or case containing a multitude of treasures. Variously described as a specimen case or cabinet of curiosities this piece of furniture may be Japanese, in Hinoki wood, with elaborate cherry blossom carvings.
Amongst the many items it displays, some precious, some rare, others novel or exotic, or simply valued for their oddity, is a dainty piece of pounamu (New Zealand greenstone or nephrite jade), just 25 x 30 mm, that glows as if lit from within.
It is finely carved with the head of a Māori man, and so detailed his tā moko (tattoo) can be discerned. There is no indication as to the age, maker or provenance of this item, but it appears to be a fob – a small, decorative item attached to a watch chain or key ring.
On its other side, it bears the initials D.E.T. (David Edward Theomin), but mirrored, as if for use as a seal. A black ribbon links the ornament to a silver disc inscribed "Theomin Royal Terrace Dunedin".
These items can be seen in-person during a visit to Olveston Historic Home.
- Copy prepared by Kevin Flaherty and Tracy White