Antique timepieces among auction treasures

Collectors have the chance to pick up exhibition antique timepieces at Christian McCann Auctions forthcoming sale from noon Sunday December 11 in the palatial mansion at 32 Albany Road, Toorak.

The timepieces include a world-class boulle bracket clock on a pedestal – along with gilt bronze and bronze clock sets, carriage clocks and a rare Dutch 18^th century longcase clock.

The auction contains a fine collection of French antique furniture including ormolu mounted boulle salon pieces, Kingwood marquetry and carved giltwood items, and French provincial furniture.

Nineteenth century sculptures include a rare marble group by Professor Cipriani, a palatial bronze depicting fictitious Jewish prince and later Roman slave Ben Hur (played by Charlton Heston in the blockbuster Academy Award-winning 1959 Hollywood movie) and several bronze figure groups.

Australian and international art features works by Arthur Boyd, Sidney Nolan, Pro Hart, Hugh Sawrey, David Boyd and Ray Crooke.

There also is a collection of Chinese antiques, porcelain, ivory, jade and carved hardwood furniture.

Other attractions include Persian hand woven silk and wool rugs and porcelain featuring ormolu mounted Sevres vases, Royal Worcester, Crown Derby, Meissen and Royal Vienna.