David Roche Gallery

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David Roche Gallery Presenting 3000+ antiques, paintings & objets d'art accumulated by David Roche AM over his lifetime. David J.K. Follow us on Instagram for more.
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Roche AM (1930 – 2013) was a devoted collector of antiques and fine art. Based in North Adelaide, South Australia he left his amazing collection in the home in which he lived as a legacy in trust for the Australian people. The collection at Fermoy House is a tribute to his fine eye and his great appreciation for the most beautiful furniture, ceramics, clocks, paintings, barometers, glassware, silver, mirrors and more. David hoped everyone who visited his House Museum and Gallery would find a special piece to remember.

Our peaceful courtyard café is the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely meal or coffee. From delicious tarts and freshly b...
16/10/2026

Our peaceful courtyard café is the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely meal or coffee. From delicious tarts and freshly baked scones to a selection of café favourites, there’s something to savour. We’re also delighted to now be serving wines from , the perfect accompaniment to a relaxed afternoon at the Gallery. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am–4pm. We look forward to welcoming you.

We were delighted to welcome Adrian Dickens from Circa AD Jewels to the Roman Room last night for a captivating talk on ...
16/10/2026

We were delighted to welcome Adrian Dickens from Circa AD Jewels to the Roman Room last night for a captivating talk on Georgian and Regency jewellery, uncovering the history and exquisite craftsmanship of these remarkable pieces.

To hear about upcoming talks, and special events, subscribe to our newsletter and be among the first to know.

There are still tickets available for Secret Pompeii, proudly presented as part of the 2026 Feast Festival. Learn more on the Events page on our website.

https://www.rochegallery.com.au/events/

Among David Roche’s remarkable collection of ceramics is an exquisite array of 19th century cups and saucers. Rare and b...
12/10/2026

Among David Roche’s remarkable collection of ceramics is an exquisite array of 19th century cups and saucers. Rare and beautifully crafted pieces, each with its own fascinating history and provenance. Here, we present four examples from the collection. But if you could choose just one for your afternoon tea, which would it be?

1. Dagoty Porcelain Factory, c.1805 – Chinoiserie cup and saucer
2. Spode, c.1810 – Custard cup & saucer, striped tulip & butterfly
3. Coalport Porcelain Works, c.1802 – Breakfast cup and saucer, from the Nelson Breakfast Service
4. Paris Porcelain Manufactories, c.1805 – ‘Le Kanguroo’, from part of a zoological coffee and tea service

This exceptional portrait of celebrated actress by Jonathon Dalton depicts her descending a stair holding a trailing ba...
07/10/2026

This exceptional portrait of celebrated actress by Jonathon Dalton depicts her descending a stair holding a trailing ball of yarn in an echo of the myth of the Minotaur, the labyrinth and Ariadne’s thread. Beyond its mythological references, the work speaks to something more universal – the human need to find our way back from experiences that can profoundly shape and transform us.

Salon des Refusés
Until 24 October
📍David Roche Galley

Image:
Jonathan Dalton
"The Shadow of a Labyrinth. Simone Kessell after Ariadne"
oil on linen
213 x 137cm

Which expression best reflects your mood today? The Den was the principal room that David Roche used to display his imp...
05/10/2026

Which expression best reflects your mood today? The Den was the principal room that David Roche used to display his impressive Staffordshire pottery. Among the many pieces are dogs, some collected for their rarity, others for their perfect condition, with each appearing to have a personality of its own.
Next time you visit Fermoy House, be sure to take a closer look at the Staffordshire collection in the Den. Alongside the dogs, you'll find cats, rabbits, pigs, sheep, cows, lions, horses, elephants and more.

Salon des Refusés offers insight into contemporary art practices, different approaches to portraiture and responses to t...
30/09/2026

Salon des Refusés offers insight into contemporary art practices, different approaches to portraiture and responses to the Australian landscape. With artists including Joe Whyte, Robyn Sweaney, John R Walker, Jun Chen, and Noel Thurgate, this exhibition celebrates some of the country's most talked about contemporary portraiture and landscape work.

Salon des Refusés
Until 24 October
📍 David Roche Gallery
📸

South Australian artist, Robert Hannaford’s ‘Dr Guy Rees’ is one of the many exceptional portraits featured in ‘Salon de...
27/09/2026

South Australian artist, Robert Hannaford’s ‘Dr Guy Rees’ is one of the many exceptional portraits featured in ‘Salon des Refusés’. Robert Hannaford painted this portrait in homage to his oncologist, who diagnosed and operated on Robert’s tongue cancer 20 years ago. Discover more personal stories at Salon des Refusés, showing until 24 October.

It was a privilege to hear from twelve-time Archibald Prize finalist, Tsering Hannaford and Dr Guy Rees at our Tea & Tou...
25/09/2026

It was a privilege to hear from twelve-time Archibald Prize finalist, Tsering Hannaford and Dr Guy Rees at our Tea & Tour of Salon des Refusés this morning. Hearing two perspectives on portraiture made for such a special event! Tsering shared insights into the art and process of portrait painting, while Dr Rees offered his personal experience from the other side of the canvas, as the subject of Robert Hannaford’s portrait. The portrait took eight days to complete, with three hours of sitting each day, allowing plenty of time for conversation and connection. Thank you to everyone who joined us. Explore the remarkable portraits featured in Salon des Refusés 2026, on display until 24 October.

Those who have taken a tour of Fermoy House may be familiar with the remarkable sand paintings displayed in the kitchen ...
21/09/2026

Those who have taken a tour of Fermoy House may be familiar with the remarkable sand paintings displayed in the kitchen and hallway by German-British artist Benjamin Zobel.

Today, on Zobel’s birthday, we’re highlighting one of his exquisite works in the kitchen: Sand Picture of Percherons in harness.

Zobel perfected his skills as an accomplished cake decorator in his family business before studying miniature painting in Amsterdam. After moving to London, he became a ‘table decker’ in the Prince of Wales’ household and Windsor Castle. The custom of 'table decking' was introduced by George III and involved decorating the table with silver trays containing ephemeral designs with coloured sugar, which would be swept away at the end of the evening. He was also entrusted with creating pictures in coloured sugar to decorate tarts served at royal banquets.

He then transferred these skills into making more permanent images by gluing coloured sand onto wooden panels, using a folded playing card to drizzle the sand grain by grain. Discover this and many more unique and exquisite works of art up close on a tour of Fermoy House.

The Den is where David spent a lot of his time at home. He enjoyed watching Antiques Roadshow, surrounded by his dog pai...
20/09/2026

The Den is where David spent a lot of his time at home. He enjoyed watching Antiques Roadshow, surrounded by his dog paintings and Staffordshire figures, and from his armchair could watch Kennel staff coming and going through the front gate. It was often said that if you were from the ‘dog world’, this is the room you might be invited to join him in.

One of the most prominent dog paintings in the collection is this large painting above the fireplace, Pointer at Sunset, c.1900, by Maud Earl. The painting is recognised as a perfect example of an English pointer, described as ‘a series of graceful curves culminating in a bee sting tail’. Maud Earl was taught to paint by her father, George Earl, and quickly became known for her talent in capturing pure-bred dogs, including those belonging to Edward VII, the Duchess of Newcastle and Queen Victoria. Her work is a perfect amalgamation of David Roche’s two loves, beautiful dogs and beautiful art. Discover more about this on your tour of Fermoy House.

Address

241 Melbourne Street
North Adelaide, SA
5006

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

0882673677

Website

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