The first fine furniture and decorative arts auction sale under the Sotheby's Australia banner will be held over two days, commencing at 6pm Tuesday and Wednesday May 4/5 at 926 High Street, Armadale.
Auction goers can continue their love affair with the comprehensive Baillieu family collections, as the auction features items from the late Elizabeth Baillieu and, according to Jennifer Gibson, is essentially part three of the sale of the famous family's hoard.
“We auctioned Edwina’s collection in May last year followed by Romayne’s in October,” she said.
Elizabeth Baillieu collected for many years and furnished their Yarram Park home in Victoria’s Western District with many of the items to appear in next week’s auction.
There are some standout pieces in the collection – not least an 18th century black and gold lacquered double dome cabinet on a painted gilt stand (Lot 239 ).
“The George II walnut bureau cabinet (Lot 243 ) also is magnificent along with the late 18th century George III oak dresser (Lot 250 ),” Jennifer said.
Other items to feature include a pair of Japanned red lacquer salon mirrors (Lot 264 ), a late 17th century walnut refectory table (Lot 229 ) and a George II walnut chest on chest.
The auction also contains several select pieces from Le Louvre – the exclusive store that for many years attracted every society girl keen to be seen in an iconic trousseau on her wedding day, and firmly entrenched at the Paris end of Collins Street.
Owned by Lillian Wightman and her daughter Georgina Weir, the premises were sold 12 months ago and the business relocated to South Yarra.
Jennifer Gibson said highlights of the collection include a 1740s George II walnut lowboy (Lot 272 ) and a late 18th century Dutch figured walnut and marquetry bureau from the front of the shop.
“Other important pieces include a late 18th century Italian gilt salon mirror (Lot 278 ) and a are painted English giraffe grand piano by George Rogers & Sons of London,” she said. A "giraffe" piano? Imagine a grand piano supported by four legs and standing upright on its keyboard edge.
Recent decorative arts sales by Sotheby's have all included a good collection of Asian art works, and this sale is no exception with 78 Asian works included in the catalogue. Not included amongst the Asian art works are six items of Anglo-Indian furniture, a large quantity to be included in a single sale. Characterised by it's detailed carving and dark coloured, sometimes ebonised timbers, Anglo-Indian furniture was until recently considered unfashionable by antiques buyers, but in recent years has had a renaissance in popularity.
Included amongst the 20th century glass are three Renè Lalique creations, including a pair of post 1928 “Tête d’Aigle” bookends (Lot 32) and the “Ganymede” champagne bucket (Lot 31).