For Strathalbyn’s Gregory Bickford, nothing quite compares to the thrill of discovering a porcelain dinner set commissioned by Napoleon III or an exquisite set of candelabras made over 200 years ago.
The antiques expert and collector has spent much of his life intrigued by the history and stories behind old objects, whether it be furniture, art, jewellery, ceramics or porcelain. His passion has taken him all over the world, buying and selling antiques for himself and private collectors.
However, it’s only recently that Gregory has used his fondness for antiques for an entirely different purpose – showcasing Australia’s rare treasures, curious collectables, unique history and diverse culture on screen to the world.
The executive producer and co-host of Channel 9’s Antiques DownUnder is looking forward to its third season after winning audiences both here in Australia and aboard.
People say that it’s unbelievable that a little TV program out of the Adelaide Hills ended up going nationally and eventually internationally
“People say that it’s unbelievable that a little TV program out of the Adelaide Hills ended up going nationally and eventually internationally,” he says.
“That’s a big achievement, I think.
“As Australians we must never lose sight of our heritage and what made this nation so diverse and special in the first place. By showing stories of Australia’s history and culture on our screens, through antiques and collectables we will ensure that the experiences, ingenuity and creativity of our ancestors will not be lost and can be used to educate future generations.”
Gregory’s love for antiques came from his grandmother who would regularly attend auctions and never bought anything new. He developed his own passion for old treasures, later began selling antiques in England and worked at the luxury department store Harrods in the antique department.
“Antiques have always been a passion of mine, because history has been a passion of mine,” he says.
“Antiques and history go together.
“When you buy an antique, you’ve got it for life, and you never know what a piece of furniture is going to tell you.
“I once bought a chest of drawers with a desk in it that belonged to a gentleman in England.
“In the bottom drawer there were letters and one of them was from King Edward VIII requesting to meet and greet the Prince of Japan for his coronation in the 1930s.
“That was the coronation that never happened. You never know what you’re going to find.”
Other standout treasures have included a dinner service commissioned by 19th Century French ruler, Napoleon III, as well as a precious set of candelabras (branched candle holders) made to celebrate the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
In recent years, Gregory has shared his love for antiques with South Australian communities, serving as the event convenor for the Adelaide Antique Fair and Strathalbyn Antique Fair, a popular event that attracts local and interstate dealers and antique lovers from far and wide.
His foray into the world of television began just before the Covid-19 outbreak, when he was trying to get the idea for an Australian antiques television show off the ground.
With no TV experience, Gregory persisted and persevered beyond knockbacks and doubts from others, with the concept eventually picked up by the Nine Network for 9Gem’s 7.30pm Friday timeslot.
“I could see what was missing in Australia, we had all these (antique) television programs coming from overseas, but nothing out of Australia,” he says.
“My aim was to share the history, the culture and the diversity of Australia using antiques to tell that story.”
Season one of Antiques DownUnder features parts of the Adelaide Hills, including Australia’s most intact period mansion Carrick Hill and The Cedars at Hahndorf, home of renowned Australian artist, Sir Hans Heysen.
“Hans Heysen has always been a very important artist to me because I remember him visiting my school, Urrbrae Agricultural High School, and talking about art, which was mind-blowing,” Gregory says.
“He presented Urrbrae with a painting after his visit and that stood in my mind.
“I’ve always been a mad follower of Hans Heysen and his daughter, Nora, so it was very important to me that I managed to get to film there and tell that story.
“It’s not only about just telling stories, but also visiting places where people overseas now can see and say, ‘oh, we must go there and have a look’.
“So, it’s got that tourism potential as well.”
The segment on The Cedars aired in China to an audience of about 180 million. Antiques DownUnder also recently aired at MIPCOM Cannes, a major annual trade show held in France where TV and entertainment professionals buy, sell and network over global content deals. The series was presented by Australian content provider Fred Media, exposing the show to wider international audiences.
Gregory aims to crack further international markets and is looking forward to sharing the history and tales of his own town of Strathalbyn.
“We did a very special feature in season three on Strathalbyn, featuring the Gilbert’s Motor Museum,” he says.
“We talked about (motorcycle icon) Kenny Blake, as well as old bicycles, vintage cars, even the Batmobile that’s in there at the moment.
“That was very exciting and a great opportunity to promote something in Strathalbyn that attracts a lot of tourists.”
Season three of Antiques DownUnder airs in February on 9Gem, while previous episodes can be streamed on 9Now.
