By XAVIER SMERDON
IN A Hoppers Crossing home an antique expert is examining a strange looking artefact.
The pottery piece is thought to be more than 300-years-old and originated in China where it would have been a household item. Can you guess what it is?
Bob Metselaar is the expert that discovered the item.
His house is like a live-in museum with hundreds of his favourite items gracing the shelves that line his walls, each one accompanied by its own label.
Mr Metselaar collects Georgian glass from 1700 to 1800, English porcelain from 1755 to 1840 and Australian pottery from the 20th century.
Originally from Holland, Mr Metsellar has always enjoyed collecting unusual items.
“I started collecting cigar bands when I was very little, and then I moved on to stamps,” Mr Metselaar said.
Among collectors Mr Metselaar is known for his private display, which is for sale to the right buyer.
His most prized possession is a large piece of English porcelain featuring Cupid and three young women.
There are only eight of these sculptures known to exist in the world today.
While he has seen countless collections himself, Mr Metselaar said to become an expert in the field people should focus on one subject.
“My strength is in the books I have. I research everything I find,” he said.
“If you want to be good at what you do, you specialise in it.”
His collection will be on display as part of the 21st Rotary Club of Hoppers Crossing Antiques and Collectables Fair which will be held in July.
For more information on the event, which will be held from Friday 19 July to Sunday 21 July, call Trevor Jago on 9748 6437.
By the way, the item that Mr Metselaar was inspecting was in fact an ancient male urinal.
