By Neena Bhandari

Fermoy House, the residence of art aficionado, David Roche will open its doors to visitors this June to enjoy, marvel and learn from the over 3000 artefacts the owner collected from around the world and Australia.

The David Roche Foundation House Museum, which includes Fermoy House and a new adjoining neoclassical building, will display his entire collection spanning from 1690 to 1960s.

`Living well is the best revenge’ was Roche’s refrain. He amassed a vast reservoir of furniture, porcelain, metalware, ceramics, clocks, paintings and textiles from renowned creators and many with a connection to royalty or aristocracy such as France’s Napoleon Bonaparte and Russia’s Catherine the Great.

His first purchase at the age of 17 years, during a visit to London, was two commemorative pieces – an English bone china statue of a Terrier and a figurine of Queen Marys’ pet dog.

Director and Curator of the Museum, Martyn Cook says, “He was a dog lover, breeder and a judge at international dog shows, and he loved the royal family, so that is the first thing he bought. His last purchase was a painting of Narcissus gazing at his own reflection in the water by the Italian Baroque master, Caravaggio”.

“One could never ever convince him to buy something. He would do extensive research before embarking to buy an item, whether it was a chimney piece, a chandelier or a carpet, and he knew where and in which room it would be placed. After a while, if he found a better replacement, he would send it to me to sell at my antiques store in Sydney”, says Cook, a long-term friend and confidant of Roche.

Visitors can view the collections occupying their place of pride in the residence as it was when Roche lived there. His ashes and death mask have been kept in a Russian malachite vase on a pedestal. In direct contrast to the opulent items on display, the Museum’s walls, ceilings and floors are all black.

“Roche also bought items that were reproductions so visitors can learn to distinguish between fake and real objects”, says Cook.

Hailing from a family of property developers, Roche was always able to buy things he wanted. He was inspired by the Carrick Hill Heritage House Museum in Springfield and wanted to share his treasures with the people of his hometown and beyond. He established the David Roche Foundation in 1999 to be the custodian of his collection.

Foundation volunteers will conduct three tours a day from Tuesday to Saturday at 10am, 12pm and 2pm comprising two groups of 10 visitors each.

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