David Roche Gallery

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, silv

er, mirrors and more. David hoped everyone who visited his House Museum and Gallery would find a special piece to remember.

David Roche Gallery turns 10 today! 🎉 Let's take a look back at some some of the highlights.Today marks 10 years since D...
02/06/2026

David Roche Gallery turns 10 today! 🎉 Let's take a look back at some some of the highlights.

Today marks 10 years since David Roche Gallery officially opened its doors to the public, sharing David Roche’s remarkable collection of art and antiques with local, national and international audiences. Over the past decade, more than 70,000 visitors have experienced our exhibitions and guided tours of Fermoy House, discovering the rich diversity of cultures, histories and stories embedded within the House that David Roche left for all to enjoy. The Gallery has also presented more than forty exhibitions, including Arthur Boyd’s astonishingly beautiful St Francis of Assisi tapestries from the National Gallery of Australia, the exquisite botanical drawings of Ellis Rowan and Rosa Fiveash, and the comprehensive Wedgwood: Master Potter to the Universe survey of Wedgwood in Australia. We even established our own Best in Show: Australian Photographic Dog Prize to commemorate David’s extraordinary canine feats.

Thank you to our membership group and everyone who has supported the Gallery over the past ten years and helped continue DRG's vision.

To celebrate this important milestone, 'Making Old New: DRG 10th Anniversary' brings together works of art from the David Roche collection selected by 20 emerging, mid-career, and senior South Australian artists associated with the and their inspired responses. We hope this special exhibition continues to inspire and engage audiences, just as David intended. Come and celebrate with us, open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4 pm. Free entry.

David Roche did not acquire a lot of jewellery for his collection; however, he was very interested in stick pins which w...
30/05/2026

David Roche did not acquire a lot of jewellery for his collection; however, he was very interested in stick pins which were used traditionally to secure a gentleman’s tie.

Over the years he acquired many decorative examples illustrating dogs, horses, monkeys, cameos, flowers and much more. A particularly glamorous example in David’s collection is a stick pin from c.1900 with the Royal monogram of King Wilhelm II of Wurttemberg.

Did you know if judging a dog show, David was always very careful not to wear a dog stick pin in case anyone felt he was favouring a particular breed.

Image: Fermoy House, Stick pin collection, Randy Larcombe Photography.

'Making Old New: DRG 10th Anniversary' celebrates the intimate relationship between makers both past and present, their ...
28/05/2026

'Making Old New: DRG 10th Anniversary' celebrates the intimate relationship between makers both past and present, their materials and their handmade techniques, and offers the possibility of new insights and dialogues between the work of contemporary artists and historical works held in the Gallery. Ten eminent South Australian artists and ten JamFactory alumni from 2016-2026 were invited to select works from the David Roche collection as a departure point to create inspiring new works. The artists had the freedom to assess, discuss, and study works that interested them. Spanning ceramics, glass, jewellery, furniture, and sculpture, the 20 reimagined pieces respond to a variety of collection items. Some artists selected iconic works from the collection, while others were drawn to more humble pieces, all resonating with their own values and passions for creating. See these incredibly talented artists work up close and many more. 'Making Old New' open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Free entry.

Images:
Takeshi Iue, designer, Stephen Bowers, decorator, Chess casket, 2026
Germany, Games table, 1835, David Roche Collection
Lotte Schwerdtfeger, Nerikomi Urn I, Nerikomi Urn III, Nerikomi Urn II, 2026.
Britain, Blue John vase, c.1800, David Roche Collection.
Emma Young, Cheetah poche (one of two) 2026
France, Vide poche torcheres (one of two), 1780-90, David Roche Collection

Images:

26/05/2026

Presenting ceramics, glass, furniture, and sculpture by some of SA’s most loved artists and exciting up-and-coming talent, the exhibition also draws upon the rich holdings of David Roche's collection.

22/05/2026

‘Making Old New: DRG 10th Anniversary’ opens tomorrow!

Take a look behind the scenes and just a glimpse into some of the extraordinary work featured in this new exciting exhibition. Bringing together twenty South Australian artists associated with , responding to twenty works from the DRG collection.

Showcasing ceramics, glass, furniture, jewellery and sculpture from emerging, mid-career and senior artists, David Roche Gallery is honoured to have worked closely with such an incredibly talented group of individuals and to have witnessed the dedication, excitement and thoughtfulness with which they engaged with the collection.

‘Making Old New’ celebrates the accomplishments of past makers and is proud to support South Australia’s dynamic contribution as a powerhouse of contemporary craft and design. We can’t wait to welcome you. Free entry. Book your tickets online or walk-ins are also welcome.

21/05/2026

In celebration of National Volunteer Week, we spoke with some of our wonderful volunteers to hear what they love most about being part of David Roche Gallery.
Thank you to Robyn, Mitra, Ann, and June for giving us a bit of their insight into volunteering at David Roche Gallery. A heartfelt thank you to all of our dedicated and passionate volunteers whose generosity, enthusiasm, and ongoing support help David Roche Gallery continue its vision as a centre of excellence and a leader in decorative arts in Australia.

Happy National Volunteers Week!This week we celebrate the remarkable volunteers who are such an integral part of David R...
21/05/2026

Happy National Volunteers Week!

This week we celebrate the remarkable volunteers who are such an integral part of David Roche Gallery. Our volunteers bring such a wide variety of skills, knowledge, experience, and joy to the gallery, for which we are very lucky and grateful. As we approach our 10th Anniversary, we thank you for your continued support and commitment which enables DRG to fulfil its vision and uphold its values.

On this day in 1804, the French Sénat conservateur granted Napoleon with the title ‘Emperor of the French.’ This act her...
18/05/2026

On this day in 1804, the French Sénat conservateur granted Napoleon with the title ‘Emperor of the French.’ This act heralded the end of the French Consulate and the beginning of the French First Empire.

David Roche Gallery is custodian to a distinctive collection of Napoleonic period art and objects. Among these are a personal pistol presented to Napoleon by British sportsman and Francophile Colonel Thomas Thornton; a portrait of Désirée Clary, the one-time fiancée of Napoleon Bonaparte who later became, Queen of Sweden; and a portrait miniature of Napoleon II, son of Napoleon and his second wife Marie-Louise.

A tour of Fermoy House brings you into contact with the artistic and political history of the Napoleonic period. Book your visit today.

Happy International Museum Day Museums play a vital role in preserving history, celebrating creativity, and inspiring fu...
17/05/2026

Happy International Museum Day

Museums play a vital role in preserving history, celebrating creativity, and inspiring future generations. At David Roche Gallery, we are proud to continue David Roche’s legacy and vision by protecting and sharing one of Australia’s most remarkable collections of fine and decorative arts.
One man’s tastes and experiences of art museums, palaces, country houses and house museums are collated into a home that can only be David’s, but one that also acknowledges his other lifelong commitment, of showing dogs.
As DRG turns 10 years this year, we continue to protect, preserve, and share David Roche’s extraordinary legacy for future generations.

This week, the Art Deco & Modernism, Adelaide Chapter presented David Roche Gallery with a Commendation for ‘support, r...
14/05/2026

This week, the Art Deco & Modernism, Adelaide Chapter presented David Roche Gallery with a Commendation for ‘support, recognition and celebration of 100 years of Art Deco with a world class exhibition of art, fashion, design and architecture drawn from South Australia’s finest collections.’ This is the first time ADMSA Adelaide Chapter has presented a Commendation for a public exhibition or event.

Displayed at David Roche Gallery from November 2025 to January 2026, Art Deco: A Modern Vision brought together nearly 200 objects to tell the story of Art Deco’s European origins, it’s migration around the world, and its impact on Australian art, architecture, and way of life. The exhibition resonated clearly with our visitors, lead to our highest exhibition attendance since we opened nearly ten years ago.

David Roche Gallery is honoured to receive this Commendation and is proud to have supported the Society’s objective of ‘preservation through appreciation.’

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

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