Christian McCann Auctions

While still a teenager, Christian McCann recalls helping the East Melbourne collector, who wishes to remain anonymous, curate his significant and comprehensive collection.

Several of the extremely rare items were purchased around 1980 from Christian’s father Ron and he quickly built a reputation for identifying quality items.

Auctioneer Christian McCann is relieved to close the door on what he has described as a “unique and interesting” year with his final antiques and art sale for 2020 from 12pm Sunday December 13 at 7 Harper Street, Abbotsford.

Like every other auction house in Australia, the COVID-19 pandemic has severely limited operations (mainly to online auctions) and it is with a sigh of relief that the company can head for a well-earned Christmas break.

Brian O’Halloran has been a mainstay of Victoria’s auction industry for more than 40 years. A Warrnambool stock agent who established Brian O’Halloran Real Estate Agents in the 1960s in the same town, he then turned his hand to auctioning fine art and antiques – using the western Victorian city of Portland as his base, where Glenelg Auctions became a household name.

During his long career as an auctioneer, Brian built up an extensive knowledge of Australian art, English and Australian furniture and decorative arts.

McCann Auctions has breathed a huge sigh of relief that, with COVID-19 restrictions lifted in Melbourne, auction goers can now view its forthcoming Sunday November 8 sale (from 12pm) in person at 7 Harper Street, Abbotsford.

The auction comprises a fine selection of 18^th and 19^th century French and English antiques including George III and Regency library and sitting room furniture by iconic maker Gillows.

French and English antiques and art are a feature of Melbourne-based McCann Auctions latest online auction from 12pm Sunday October 18.

Viewing is online and bidding can only occur by phone, over the internet or by absentee bid.

The auction contains clocks, antique furniture, Persian carpets, bronze sculptures, porcelain, and Australian, European and Chinese works of art.

While other Melbourne-based auction houses have deferred their decorative arts and art sales until the Victorian capital is free of its Stage 4 coronavirus pandemic restrictions – where only essential businesses are permitted to operate – Christian McCann Auctions (on advice from Business Victoria) is pushing ahead with a remote and online auction from 12pm Saturday August 8 and Sunday August 9 at its 7 Harper Street, Richmond rooms.

Belgian antique dealers Eloy and Winifred Van Paridon are living testimony to the lengths collectors will go to find that next elusive bargain.

Avid attendees at auctions held in European castles, they often arose early for 4am sojourns to snow covered antique fairs – searching by torchlight for what might turn out to be increasingly valuable treasures.

Both have antiques in the blood for they are children and grandchildren of antique dealers, dating back to a time when dealing was totally different to today’s world.

McCann Auctions is continuing its foray into online auctions during Australia’s coronavirus restrictions with another Melbourne sale scheduled for noon Sunday May 17 at 7 Harper Street, Abbotsford.

Once again, bidding will be online via the invaluable.com website with both viewing and collections only by appointment.

This sale is entitled Exceptional Timepieces, Art and Fine Antiques and features a range of excellent clocks, furniture, artwork, porcelain and sculptures bound to interest genuine collectors and buyers.

Melbourne-based Christian McCann Auctions is hoping to attract plenty of attention to its second online auction for the year with a magnificent collection of quality French and English antique furniture, beautiful clocks and collectable Australian and European art among the 230 lots.

The auction, from 6pm Tuesday April 28, will be held at 7 Harper Street, Abbotsford and, with coronavirus pandemic restrictions still in place, viewing is only online, with collection of goods after the sale by appointment.

Christian McCann Auctions had barely moved into its new premises at 7 Harper Street, Abbotsford when Australian government restrictions on trading and social distancing because of the coronavirus pandemic forced its next sale to be carried out entirely online, by telephone or absentee bidding.

This, despite the new premises being set up with a second gallery specifically purposed for displaying art and jewellery at each forthcoming auction.