Ainger's final sale for the year features an architectural and Art deco theme

By Richard Brewster, on 26-Nov-2018

A giant pair of marble lions are a feature of E.J. Ainger’s forthcoming “architectural and art deco almost single vendor” auction, according to managing director John Ainger.

“The lions were part of a Templestowe mansion belonging to a well-known Melbourne business identity that was demolished 10 years ago and have been stored in a Bentleigh warehouse ever since,” he said.

The lions (each of which weighs about two tonnes) are not the only massive architectural feature at the auction, which will be held on Sunday December 2 at Ainger's Richmond auction rooms.

A giant pair of marble lions are a feature of E.J. Ainger’s forthcoming architectural and art deco almost single vendor auction. The lions were part of a Templestowe mansion belonging to a well-known Melbourne business identity that was demolished 10 years ago and have been stored in a Bentleigh warehouse ever since.

A giant pair of marble lions are a feature of E.J. Ainger’s forthcoming architectural and art deco almost single vendor auction. The lions were part of a Templestowe mansion belonging to a well-known Melbourne business identity that was demolished 10 years ago and have been stored in a Bentleigh warehouse ever since.

A circular marble table 2.5 metres in diameter (weighing about one tonne) is another impressive attraction – along with enormous heavy oak and bronze entrance doors and French art deco wrought iron gates measuring 2.7 by 1 metres that were part of the architectural features.

This auction is not for the faint hearted and auction goers will be impressed at the array before them when they view the sale.

Another feature of the mansion was its art deco eight-branch ceiling lights and large art deco furniture including sideboards, wardrobes, dining tables and chairs, a bar and matching wrought iron mirrors.

Among the art deco items is a shell-shaped mirror, and wrought iron framed wall mirror and overmantle mirror.

There is a walnut two-leaf extension dining table and six high back chairs along with a marble top sideboard with two panelled doors.

A mahogany and Macassar ebony marble top chest, breakfront sideboard with central marble top and cocktail trolley are other art deco items on offer.

Unusual is the art deco patinated bronze marble and ivory clock, and composite dancer figure.

According to John Ainger, the furniture will suit a spacious art deco or modern home, while the lions would be the perfect adornment for a vineyard or other large property entrance.

 

About The Author

Richard Brewster has been writing about the antiques and art auction industry for almost 20 years, first in a regular weekly column for Fairfax's The Age newspaper and also in more recent times for his own website Australian Auction Review. With 45 years experience as a journalist and public relations consultant, in 1990 Richard established his own business Brewster & Associates in Melbourne, handling a wide range of clients in the building, financial, antiques and art auction industries.