In our News and Opinion and News Bites sections we publish relevant and timely articles on the antiques, collectables and decorative arts markets by respected and independent writers.
Subscribers are notified by email of the publication of important and time-sensitive articles.
Sterling silver remained popular at Philips Auctions June 21 sale with bidders competing for items from a quality collection.
When gynaecologist and obstetrician Peter Elliott died last year he left a collection of art and antiques that is set to be the biggest single-owner art sale of the year.
Elliott’s trove of remarkable tribal carvings, Chinese ceramics and paintings by William Robinson, Fred Williams, John Brack and Brett Whiteley will be auctioned in Sydney over three days from August 30, with expectations that it will raise more than $6 million, writes Michaela Boland in The Australian.
Philips Auctions continual ability to attract quality jewellery items has resulted in another strong offering at its forthcoming sale from 6pm Monday June 22 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern.
While catalogue estimates range from a few hundred dollars to many thousands, resident gemmologist Tanya Philips has once again ensured auction goers will not be disappointed – no matter what their favoured price range.
A Schulim Krimper sideboard (containing a radio, record player and speaker) will be offered at Philips Auctions forthcoming sale from noon on Sunday June 21, sparking renewed interest in designer furniture of the 1950s and 1960s as many young unit dwellers search for well crafted items with simple but elegant lines to match their modern apartments.
A sterling silver table snuffbox, linked to an unfortunate tragedy, is bound to intrigue both history buffs and auction goers when Gowans Auctions holds its forthcoming special sale from 10am on Saturday June 20 at 37 Main Road, Moonah in Hobart, Tasmania.
Featuring one of the first specimens of silver gilt lining in the Tasmanian colony, the box was made by former convict turned silversmith and medallist in Hobart, Charles Jones, and presented by William Gore Elliston to John Mezger during a special dinner at Mezger’s Hotel in August 1848.
A single owner collection of industrial models and scientific instruments – part of Leonard Joel’s May Classic Furniture and Objects auction – signals an emerging category within the auction world.
With the auction to be held from 11am Saturday May 30 at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra, the single owner collection is a reflection of mankind’s industrial and social past.
A collection of Japanese ivory figures proved extremely popular with collectors and sold for four to five times its estimates at Philips Auctions latest sale on May 17.
The collection belonged to the late Bonnie Knight, who had been collecting artefacts and jewellery since she was a teenager and viewed netsukes as her favourite items.
Autograph signatures of every Australian Prime Minister since Sir Edmund Barton will be auctioned from 2pm Tuesday May 19 by Mossgreen at 926-930 High Street, Armadale as part of its Australian & Colonial Antique & Historical sale.
While most of the signatures carry catalogue estimates of several hundreds of dollars, that of the third Prime Minister Chris Watson (1867-1941) is estimated at $10,000-$12,000.
The rare Willows 35.73-carat yellow sapphire pendant – the largest ever offered at an Australian auction – sold for a staggering $122,000 in Melbourne on May 12 through Sotheby’s Australia.
Chairman Geoffrey Smith said the yellow sapphire was exceptional and achieved $3414 a carat.
Pre-owned luxury items featuring creations by Hermes, Pucci, Etro, Lulu Guiness, Burberry and many other designers will be auctioned from Thursday May 14 by Leonard Joel at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra.
A major collection of estate jewellery recently turned up in a suitcase, much to the surprise of resident Philips Auctions gemmologist Tanya Philips.
Within the suitcase were almost 400 pieces – each kept in a box or pouch and many accompanied by original receipts or handwritten notations of purchase date, location and history.
Erotic Japanese netsuke figurines, part of a contentious indecency court case in the 1980s, will be auctioned from noon Sunday May 17 by Philips Auctions at 47 Glenferrie Road, Toorak.
The figures belonged to the late Bonnie Knight, who died recently aged 84, and are being sold by the family as part of her collection.
A Sydney auction house enjoyed a rare, Antiques Roadshow-type moment this week when an enamel and pearl swan pendant, stamped with the insignia of Parisian art nouveau jewellery designer Lalique, sparked an international bidding war, writes Michaela Boland in The Australian.
Five keen phone bidders from The Netherlands, Israel, France and the US competed for the antique, resulting in bidding soaring way beyond its initial estimated value of $3000-$5000 to go under the hammer for $167,000.
Unique black and white photos taken in 1964 of the Beatles appearing the Ed Sullivan Show, on their way by train to a Washington performance and arriving in Adelaide are among an unusual collection of entertainment memorabilia auction from noon Thursday May 7.
Tom Szekeres and his son Chanon decided on the name of a family dog when they set up their antiques business in West Melbourne 16 years ago – partly because of exasperation, partly timing and partly from subliminal family influence.
“Wally Johnson was the name of my wife Julie’s grandmother’s dog,” Tom explained. “When we went to register the name of our business, frustratingly all the names we had chosen were already taken – so we decided this name was as good as any.”
The individuality of items in Mossgreen’s forthcoming Interior Decorator auction from 10.30am Monday May 11 at 926-930 High Street, Armadale is a great opportunity for collectors from all walks of life to obtain a piece of classic history.
Right from Lot 1, an 18th century French Louis XV giltwood marble topped console table, collectors should be rubbing their hands in anticipation of some quality purchases.
Three high priced items should whet serious collector appetites at Sotheby’s Australia forthcoming jewellery auction from 5.30pm Tuesday May 12 at 41 Exhibition Street, Melbourne.
One is the extremely rare “Willows” 35.73-carat yellow sapphire pendant carrying a catalogue estimate of $100,000-$150,000.
An outstanding single owner collection of Moorcroft art pottery including a rare Jerusalem vase will be part of a two-day auction from 11am Saturday May 2 and Sunday May 3 by E.J. Ainger Pty Ltd at 433 Bridge Road, Richmond.
The Jerusalem vase (pictured opposite) – number one in a limited edition run of only 50 – is now worth about $25,000. At the time of its manufacture in 2000, each vase retailed in England for £11,500 and numbers sold quickly.
A Poltronova Glove sofa, knocked down for $8000, (hammer) was the highest furniture money earner at Leonard Joel’s Modern Design Furniture auction on April 23.
Other strong highlights were the Charles and Ray Eames lounge chair and ottoman, which went under the hammer for $7000, and a Poul Kjaerholm PKO chair for $6000.
A pair of horse shoes worn by the legendary Phar Lap sold for $24,400 (including buyer’s premium) at Mossgreen’s April 23 Sporting Memorabilia auction.
They were estimated at $15,000—$20,000.
Originally belonging to Phar Lap’s strapper Tommy Woodcock, the shoes are mounted in a frame, complete with Woodcock’s photograph, which also carries a letter of authenticity from master farrier Dick Bell.