Marvin Hurnall's collecting efforts sparked a resurgence in popularity for such Australian ceramic icons as John Perceval, Arthur and Merric Boyd, Maude O’Reilly, William Ricketts, Grace Secombe and Marguerite Mahood.
Opening his first store in 1976, Hurnall initially sold antiques and furniture. However, within a few years his focus shifted to Australian and colonial furniture and Australian ceramics, at the time a rather unfashionable move since most people were only interested in European antiques.
As such he became a leading authority and this Mossgreen auction reflects his passion with more than 400 ceramics up for grabs – many either highly collectable or of museum quality.
Such were his endeavours that many of his finds were squirreled away in cupboards at his home or stored in a large shed in the backyard of the property.
The auction will take place at 2pm Sunday November 8 at Mossgreen's premises at 926-930 High Street, Armadale.
The Geoffrey Hatty sale offers a range of unusual mid-20th century designer pieces including a Clement Meadmore Australian floor lamp, a Gus mclaren lidded vessel and a rare George Kral dining chair.
Of interest to auction goers will the Jacques Hitier desk in oak and tubular aluminium and the pair of modernist garden chairs from perforated steel and tubular aluminium by Adrian Claude.
Other items include a rare cupboard by Professor Bruno Paul for the Vereinigte Wekstatten, the “Roll” floor lamp by Michele De Lucchi for Bieffeplast and the ceramic conical vase by Dante Baldelli for Rometti.
Another feature is the extremely rare Hans Wegner armchair and ottoman with its original wool covering, manufactured by Getama.
A version of this model first appeared at the cabinetmakers guild 41st exhibition in 1969.
The 1930 large ceramic stoneware vessels in “sung glaze” by Carl Hallier for Royal Copenhagen in Sweden is a further attraction.