DECORATIVE ARTS & COLLECTABLES
Once again, we are delighted to be presenting you with a feature-packed catalogue for our forthcoming International Decorative Arts & Collectables auction.
With so many items to choose from, you might think it’s hard for us to select some highlights, but actually, it’s rather easy. The weeks of work and research that have gone into this catalogue have given us the opportunity to discuss many of the pieces you will find in the coming pages. These are some of our favourites:
Lot 25 is a stunning Georgian sterling silver epergne centrepiece by EMICK ROMER of London, circa 1771. As an example of the fine table décor that was fashionable around the time Captain Cook sailed for Australia, it’s a remarkable survivor. Lot 101 went straight to our list of favourites. It’s a silver water pitcher designed by Johan Rohde (1856-1935) for George Jensen in the early 1960s. It’s a stunning piece of mid-century design from an atelier that defines the Danish creative movement of the time. What’s more, the pitcher is in superb condition.
We see quite a lot of Moorcroft in our rooms. There’s no shortage of small, modern pieces around, but Lot 218, a MOORCROFT “WISTERIA” flambe pottery vase, circa 1932, ticks all the boxes: it’s a substantial piece, with vibrant colours, in superb condition. If you’re thinking of starting a Moorcroft collection, start here.
Lot 306 would be a fine example of the work of Rene LALIQUE to add to any collection. This Art Deco frosted glass table lamp and shade, acid etched “R. LALIQUE, FRANCE”, is just stunning. As is Lot 324, a CENEDESE “Aquarium” Murano glass three fish block including a rare starfish, by BARBINI, circa 1955. That delightful piece is displayed in our front window and we’re enjoying watching people try to walk past without stopping to look at it. While we are talking Italian, Lot 385 can’t be ignored. A delightful example of an Italian micro-mosaic panel of the Basilica of San Marco in Venice, no doubt brought home by an admiring (and wealthy!) visitor to Venice in the 19th century.
There are several beautiful statues in this auction. Our favourite is Lot 491, “The Carrier Pigeon”, silvered bronze on 3-tiered onyx base, circa 1925, signed “A Gennarelli” to the base, with foundry mark to bottom (left cheek). We think she would look lovely in a home office or study, but for the time being, we are enjoying the superb craftsmanship that went into her creation.
Lot 655 joins our “favourites” list simply because the survival of a beautiful complete suite like this is so rare. The work of MAISON DOMINIQUE is French Art Deco at its’ best. This setting, comprising a dining table, eight chairs and a buffet, circa 1925, would look just as at home in an ultra-modern apartment as it would in a beautiful period home. Before you go out and spend $20,000 on a new setting, you might like to come and look at this hundred-year-old alternative. You might love it as much as we do.
Lot 750 comes from an era almost a hundred years earlier than that. It’s a large and impressive English grandfather clock, with triple train three weight movement, chime and strike, housed in an ornately carved oak case. At nearly two-and-a-half meters tall it’s not for every home, but if you’ve always wanted a grandfather clock, it’s hard to go past this one. (And it’s very good buying at our estimate!). Lot 764 is a very different clock, a JAEGER-LeCOULTRE “Atmos” mantel clock, mid-20th century, but it’s one we always like on the rare occasion that one comes into our rooms.
One of the many features of the jewellery section is another Georg Jensen creation: Lot 811 is a vintage 18ct yellow gold necklace, design #1133 by TUK FISCHER in original box with papers, circa 1965, stamped “Georg Jensen, Denmark, 18K, 750, 1133”, an impressive 103 grams. We’ve seen this in silver several times, but it’s a thrill to see it in gold for the first time in our rooms. We also have a fine selection of watches for you this time, with three different vendors represented. Lot 896, ETERNA-MATIC 3000 gent’s automatic wristwatch, 18ct yellow gold cased and bracelet with textured finish should be very popular. We expect quite a few of you will want to try it on if Covid-19 restrictions allow for viewing in person.
The Chinese and Asian section is full of colourful and ornate pieces but it is the subtle beauty of Lot 934 that appeals to us. A SHU-FU bowl, Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), 6cm high, 12.5cm diameter is one of a group of classic Chinese bowls (see also Lots 935 and 936) from the same collection. The colours and shapes are just gorgeous. Lot 1050 shows Burmese silver workmanship at its’ best. The lot comprises of a rare pair of antique silver goblets supported by solid cast male and female figurines dressed in elegant costumes of the Konbaung Court (1752-1885), Rangoon, Burma, 1880-1890. How these come to Australia and stayed together is a mystery, but thank goodness they did.
The Paintings & Artworks section is extremely diverse, with examples of work from every corner of the globe. But Lot 1133 is one of the more unusual and thought-provoking pieces we have had the opportunity to offer. By the English artist, EXDEN LEWIS POCOCK (1850-1919), and called “New Life” it is an example of Victorian-era mourning art. It would have been commissioned by the grieving parents of the little blond boy/angel depicted in the painting. The mother and child, both in black, are depicted in a graveyard, uncharacteristically the mother relaxing on the grass while her son chases a butterfly. Rarely seen these days, this is a beautiful and evocative piece. We are also delighted to have five examples of the wonderful work of John Hall Thorpe, Lots 1148 – 1152, which look delightful on our wall.
With so many lots for you to look at, I better make the next few suggestions brief: Lot 1273 is a delightful example of the “Astor Mickey” radio, Lot 1312 is the TRANS-TASMAN AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY MINUTE BOOK, from 14th June 1935, the first meeting of the Board of Directors: Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, Captain P.G. Taylor, B.T. Sheil and J.W. Stannage, up to the final entry on 29th May 1936 following the loss of Kingsford Smith en route from England. What an astonishing piece of Australian aviation history! We also love Lot 1403, the JOSEPH EULA original poster for The Supremes at Lincoln Center, Philharmonic Hall, on Friday October 15, 1965.
With that happy note, why don’t you delve into the other 1400 lots and decide which ones you love.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Contents
Session One
Saturday 14 August 10.00am AEST
001-160 Silver
161-272 Porcelain & Ceramics
273-372 Glass
373-512 General
513-685 Furniture
686-711 Lamps & Lighting
712-732 Rugs, Carpets & Textiles
Session Two
Sunday 15 August 10.00am AEST
733-774 Clocks & Timepieces
775-933 Jewellery, Watches & Luxury Accessories
934-1073 Chinese & Asian Art
1074-1078 Antiquities
1079-1091 Oceanic & Tribal Art
1092-1191 Paintings & Artworks
Collectables
1192-1264 General Collectables
1265-1267 Musical Instruments
1268-1281 Radios and Gramophones
1282-1294 Military
1295-1338 Aviation Memorabilia
1339-1342 Railways & Steam
1343-1346 Maps
1347-1392 Books & Ephemera
1393-1403 Posters
1404-1414 Postcards
1415-1419 Cigarette & Trade Cards
1420-1428 Autographs
1429-1444 Movie Memorabilia
1445-1470 Models & Toys