The sculpture, (Lot 20 ), titled Susanna by Italian sculptor G. Crisell, stands 103 cm high and is dated 1890, and once belonged to the late Henry Young (of Young & Jackson, the famous old pub on the corner of Swanston and Flinders Street, fame) and was originally auctioned by Joels at the publican’s stately mansion, Normanhurst, in November 1929.
Estimated at $25,000-35,000, Susanna, is accompanied in the sale by a facsimile copy of the 1929 catalogue including an illustration of the statue in-situ at Normanhurst amongst an array of magnificent art and antiques.
Charles and Ethel Titchener, who migrated to Australia from England in 1912, bought the sculpture at the 1929 auction, along with an exhibition quality pair of Sevres-style porcelain lidded vases (Lot 29 ).
A solid plasterer by trade, Charles established a thriving Melbourne business that at one stage employed more than 100 men.
As their prosperity grew Charles and Ethel became regulars at the early Leonard Joel auctions and began to assemble an impressive collection of fine statuary, porcelain, glass, clocks and furniture.
Like many others, the family fell on hard times during the 1930s Great Depression and much of the collection was sold. However, Monday’s auction contains some of the Titcheners’ most prized possessions that stand as a lasting testament to their passion and skills as collectors and have been passed down through the family.
Amongst these is another magnificent Carrara marble statue (Lot 25 ) purchased from the auction of Castlefield Estate, now the site of Hailebury College in Hampton. Entitled Pescatrice, the figure is signed by Italian sculptor Ettore Ximenes – and displayed with a Verde marble plinth carved to the centre in high relief with a cluster of entwined fish and is estimated at $20,000-25,000.
Another significant item is the oak Gothic revival musical longcase clock and barometer with 1780s movement (Lot 28 ).
The auction also features an outstanding selection of Australian decorative arts and design including a finely carved oak hall chair by renowned Melbourne wood carvers Robert Prenzel and Johann Treede (lot 1119) and an important three-panel carved screen by John Kendrick Blogg (Lot 120 ) estimated at $100,000-120,000.
