Ainger's house auction with connection to the Johnson Collection.

By Richard Brewster, on 28-Nov-2013

An 18th century portrait of Lady Anne Montague (Lot 243 ), daughter of the Earl of Manchester Robert Montague and wife of James the Earl of Suffolk, from the School of Sir Peter Lely will be a highlight when the contents of David and Judith Conroy’s home is auctioned on site at 21A Hill Street, Toorak from noon December 8.

An 18th century portrait of Lady Anne Montague, daughter of the Earl of Manchester, Robert Montague and wife of James the Earl of Suffolk, from the School of Sir Peter Lely will be a highlight when the contents of David and Judith Conroy’s home is auctioned by E. J. Ainger in Melbourne on December 8.

An 18th century portrait of Lady Anne Montague, daughter of the Earl of Manchester, Robert Montague and wife of James the Earl of Suffolk, from the School of Sir Peter Lely will be a highlight when the contents of David and Judith Conroy’s home is auctioned by E. J. Ainger in Melbourne on December 8.

The Conroys became great friends of antiques expert and dealer Bill Johnston after they moved to England more than 50 years ago so David could further his medical studies.

When they returned to Australia they continued to buy antiques and collectibles under Bill’s guidance, many of them from his shop Kent Antiques in High Street, Armadale.

An inveterate traveller, Bill died suddenly in 1986 (aged 76) during a trip to India. Because of their friendship, Bill had appointed David as executor of his will and trustee of the W.R. Johnston Trust.

With his co trustees, David established the Johnston House Museum in East Melbourne and, on his retirement, Judith replaced him as trustee.

The December 8 auction contains much of what the Conroys collected with Bill’s advice. It includes 30 Mughal paintings of early 18th century figures from India and a marble top centre pedestal table also from sub-continent.

Other auction highlights include an Empire period gilt bronze figural mantel clock by Gaston Jolly (Lot 155 ) and a pair of 19th century Louis XVI style walnut fauteuils from Lord Aster in Cleveden Country House (Lot 246 ).

Other features include a Regence kingwood commode stamped by C. Lefaiver (Lot 245 ), appointed maître to the king in January 1738, and a George II mahogany bureau bookcase (Lot 198 ).

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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.