MARVELLOUS MELBOURNE MANSIONS with Andrew Dixon

Three marvellous mansions in Melbourne: Labassa (Caulfield North), Villa Alba (Kew) and Mandeville Hall (Toorak) are all rare survivors of the late nineteenth century. Labassa’s lavish interiors feature ornate stained glass, gilt-embossed wallcoverings, and a rare trompe l’oeil ceiling. Villa Alba showcases unique, hand-painted interiors created in 1883/84 by Scottish-trained interior decorators the Paterson Bros. The sumptuous décor of Mandeville Hall was influenced by the Aesthetic movement and commissioned from important London firm Gillow and Co. 

Each property has architectural, aesthetic, historical and social significance to the history of Victoria and rich stories to tell.  Presenter Andrew Dixon will compare and contrast the key features of these fascinating properties and provide insights into their past, present and future.  

ANDREW DIXON is a retired librarian who has a long involvement as a volunteer and supporter with a number of Melbourne house museums including  Labassa Mansion, Villa Alba Museum, The Duldig Studio, and The Johnston Collection (TJC) where he is an Ambassador. For over 16 years Andrew supported and advised the late Mr. Clive Hele (Roger) Brookes (1929 – 2020) whose important collection of silver, ceramics, furniture, glass, clocks, watches and miniatures (The Brookes Bequest) is now housed at TJC. Andrew’s most recent lecture at TJC was titled, 'Connoisseur: Collector, Benefactor: An Introduction to Roger Brookes (and his family and collecting)' and he led the popular ‘Walk and Talk’ tours of the exhibition, 'Splendid | The Roger Brookes Bequest'. 

Your ticket includes tea or Market Lane coffee served before the lecture, and time to browse our exclusive range of books, gifts, and homewares at TJC Emporium.  NOTE: Tickets for this event do not include access to our exhibition-house, Fairhall. Guided tours of the current exhibition 'A Home of One's Own' can be booked separately.

This lecture is supported by The Colin Holden Charitable Trust.

Images:

“Mandeville Hall”, Toorak, [home of] Joseph Clarke esq. [picture], gelatin silver print, 1985, Collection of State Library of Victoria. PCLTA 1644

Original over-mantle and Carrara marble mantlepiece in Drawing Room at Villa Alba. Photographer: Andrew Dixon.

Ontario (Balaclava, home of A. W. Robertson, esq.), 1893, gelatin silver print, 20 x 25 cm, collection of the State Library of Victoria, H93.64/6

Villa Alba street view from the south-west. Photographer: Andrew Dixon