News and Opinion — Year 2019

A unique Australian coat of arms worked in wool about 1880 by William Duncan from the outback Queensland town of Charters Towers (lot 132) is typical of the historic flavour of Leski Auctions forthcoming Australian & Colonial sale from 12pm Sunday may 26 at 727-729 High Street, Armadale.

The shield’s four quadrants (bale of wheat, merino sheep, three-masted sailing ship and gold minehead) are surrounded by Australian birds siting amongst a Scottish thistle, English rose and Irish shamrock with kangaroo and emu supporting two white ensigns.

There also is a rising sun at the top and harp of Erin at the bottom with the words “Advance Australia” to complete the work. It is estimated at $5,000-7,500.

Auction goers will be confronted by an absolute feast of sterling silver at Philips Auctions forthcoming Fine and Decorative Arts sale from 12pm Sunday May 5 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern.

Leading the goodies is an extensive collection of English Victorian Vesta match cases (where matches are stored and can be lit by striking on the bottom of the case), collected in the 1940s and 1950s by one family who documented from where each piece came.

At the end of a picturesque country lane in Red Hill South, a colourful antique and collectables auction will take place from 12pm Sunday April 28 courtesy of Gibson’s Auctions. 37 Ocean View Avenue, Red Hill south is a magnificent property and the perfect setting for a sale that features a fine selection of antique French and English furniture, art, lighting, garden statuary, sculpture, decorative arts and collectables that include jewellery and fashion clothing and accessories.

Melbourne’s leading royalty, 82-year-old “Aussie Earl” Englishman Keith Rous – the sixth Earl of Stradbroke – and  his wife of 42 years, Rosie, never do anything by halves.

They are about to carry out a multi-million dollar renovation to dramatically enlarge and modernise the massive Hawthorn mansion “Haven”, built in 1898 and with its twin towers one of the original landmark properties of St James Park Estate, that they bought almost three years ago – and are ditching many of the property fittings to do so.

“At an age when most people are downsizing, we are upsizing,” they laugh.

The couple decided the best way to offload what they don’t want in the house is by auction. Accordingly, they have asked Melbourne auctioneers John Ainger and Phil Caldwell to sell the grand staircase, leadlight windows, chandeliers, light fittings and unwanted furniture on site from 11am Sunday April 14.

An extremely rare Robert Prenzel wood carving of a koala (lot 437) signed by the artist and dated 1917 is a major highlight of E. J. Ainger’s forthcoming two-day special sale from 11am Saturday April 6 and at the same time the following day at 433 Bridge Road, Richmond.

Woodcarver and cabinetmaker Prenzel (1866-1941) was born in Prussia and in 1888 arrived in Melbourne via a European “carving” sojourn.

Working first for a shipbuilder, he then began designing furniture for Nunan Bros before going into partnership with John Treede.

Together, worked on such projects as the carvings on the walls and ceilings of St Patrick’s Cathedral.

In the early 1900s, Prenzel established his own woodcarving business in South Melbourne and from about 1910 to 1930 was a South Yarra-based furniture manufacturer.

His carvings, particularly of Australian animals and plants – often in the art nouveau style in Australian timbers, are well-known and the largest collection of his works resides in the National Gallery of Victoria.

Among the 776 items up for grabs at Gibson’s Auctions forthcoming Autumn Auction Series on Monday April 1 at their rooms in Armadale – is lot 298, an unusual George III satinwood, padouk and inlaid tripod table attributed to John Cobb (1710-1778).

A leading English cabinetmaker of his day, in partnership with fellow artisan William Vile (Vile & Cobb) Cobb supplied furniture to leading patrons such as King George III and Queen Charlotte, the first Earl of Leicester at Holkam Hall, the fourth Duke of Devonshire at Chatsworth and the fourth Duke of Bedford at Woburn Abbey.

From 1761 until April 1764 when Vile retired, they held the Royal Warrant for works (afterwards granted to two of Cobb’s artisans) created in an Anglicised Rococo style (Vile) and an elegant new Neoclassical fashion (Cobb), which he executed in the 1770s.

A 1920 red Lalique 'Escargot' vase, featured as an important and rare piece on the company’s website, sold this month at a Melbourne auction for $12,500. The vase was the top selling piece at Leski Auctions Decorative Arts & Collectables sale, which featured a comprehensive range of items.

A 1922-25 French Sirene nickel plated bronze car mascot (lot 196) by George Colin (marked G. Colin, 10) estimated at $6,000 – 8,000 is one of the more unusual and appealing items up for grabs at Leski Auctions forthcoming Decorative Arts & Collectables sale from 12pm Sunday March 3 at 727-729 High Street, Armadale.

Featured on the auction catalogue’s front cover and originally distributed by Hermes, in 1922 Colin’s design was awarded Medailee for design by L’Auto.

It joins another car mascot – a replica Hispano Suiza version – (lot 197) which was handcrafted in brass by Jonathan White and mounted on a wooden plinth.

A five-carat heart shaped gold and diamond ring might be just the ideal slightly belated Valentine’s Day gift for those auction goers willing to go the “whole nine yards” at Philips Auctions first jewellery auction for the year and fork out an estimated $50,000-$60,000 on that special someone.