There are 18 matching mahogany dining chairs (Lot 109) to go with the table and there is no doubt it takes centre stage at the magnificent two-storey Boonaroo Homestead in John Francis Drive at Carrara (Nerang) on the Gold Coast.
John and Therese Glennon built the property 41 years ago realizing their vision of an Australian homestead in which to raise their large family and express a creative and colourful flair for design, décor and collectibles.
Now they have asked Leonard Joel to auction the contents on site from 10am tomorrow in what amounts to a landmark dispersal for the Gold Coast region.
Auction goers will have a field day, according to Joels decorative arts and fine furniture head Guy Cairnduff.
“A highlight is an outstanding late 19th century carved Italian Carrara marble figure Romeo and Juliet signed by the artist P. Barranti (Lot 200),” he said. “According to Glennon family history, the statue was commissioned by William Charles Wentworth, father of the Australian constitution, for his Vaucluse home and is accompanied by an ornately carved verde marble base.”
In keeping with John and Therese’s collecting philosophy, by special arrangement with the new owners several of the most important fixtures from Boonaroo will be offered for auction.
These include an elaborate polychrome, carved oak and beaten copper fire surround (Lot 114), that was originally part of the boardroom furnishings in the State Bank of New South Wales, and a suite of carved oak panelling (Lot 112) also originally intended for the bank.
Other unusual items include a late Victorian Baltic pine and gilt refectory and mirror dated 29-10-1892 (Lot 578) and a large and impressive fiberglass rocking horse (Lot 143).
Of great interest to car buffs could be the 1994 Cadillac Eldorado (Lot 159) nicknamed Miss Daisy. Therese, who loved big American cars because of their reputation for being large and safe, bought the vehicle after seeing the movie Driving Miss Daisy.
And how did Queen Elizabeth II get to sit at the table? Well, the Glennons lent it to the New South Wales Government for the official Opera House opening.