Olveston
portrait of a home
$68.00
- Hardcover
288 pages
- Release Date
10 September 2025
Summary
Olveston: Portrait of a Gilded Age Home
Olveston stands as one of New Zealand’s most remarkable heritage homes. Built in 1907 by David Theomin, a wealthy merchant and prominent Jewish businessman in Dunedin, its opulence mirrors the economic strength of the city at the turn of the century.
Theomin and his wife Marie, cultured travelers, filled the house with items from abroad, valuable furniture, and significant paintings. Designed by Sir Ernest George, a leading British arc…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781991016782 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 1991016786 |
| Author: | John Walsh, Jane Ussher |
| Publisher: | Massey University Press |
| Imprint: | Massey University Press |
| Format: | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages: | 288 |
| Release Date: | 10 September 2025 |
| Weight: | 1.00kg |
| Dimensions: | 295mm x 235mm x 30mm |
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What They're Saying
Critics Review
‘[Ussher and Walsh are] a bit of a dream team for Olveston’ — Leah McFall, RNZ’s Nine to Noon
‘This lavish, full-colour coffee table book reveals the history thanks to the text by John Walsh, while Jane Ussher’s stunning photographs showcase the home’s exquisite interiors and their treasures. This is a visual feast and a handsome book to savour’ — Karen McMillan, Canvas Magazine
‘There is no confusion here about whether text or imagery should dominate. We have come for the pictures, and they do not disappoint. The explainer by John Walsh, a doyenne of New Zealand architectural writing, is fascinating and well-researched.’ — Jenny Nichols, Waiheke Weekender
‘A tribute to a slice of New Zealand history’ — Jane Phare, NZ Herald
About The Author
John Walsh
John Walsh is a writer specialising in architecture. For a decade he edited Architecture NZ and was managing editor of a stable of design magazines. He has contributed to numerous publications, including The Architectural Record (USA), Topos (Netherlands), Interstices, Metro, The New Zealand Listener, The New Zealand Herald, Here and Home NZ. His books include New New Zealand Houses (Random House, 2007); Home Work (Random House, 2010); Big House, Small House (Random House, 2012); City House, Country House (Random House, 2016); Far Pavilion: New Zealand at the Venice Architecture Biennale (NZ Institute of Architects, 2017); St Andrew’s College Centennial Chapel (Architectus, 2018); Christchurch Architecture: A Walking Guide (Massey University Press, 2020); Auckland Architecture: A Walking Guide (revised edition, MUP, 2021); and Wellington Architecture: A Walking Guide (MUP, 2022).
Jane Ussher MNZM is one of New Zealand’s most lauded photographers. Perhaps best known for her photographs for the Listener and, more recently, magazines such as New Zealand House & Garden, her photographs have also appeared in the high-profile, award-winning books Coast, Islands, Worship, The New Zealand Horse, Endless Sea, Nature — Stilled, and Historic New Zealand Homesteads. Jane lives in Kerikeri, Northland.
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