An eye for beauty in Melbourne decorative arts auction

Dubbed An Eye For Beauty sale, this part II auction of a single owner collection of decorative arts and general collectables from 10am Sunday August 11 by Melbourne-based Leski Auctions at 727-729 High Street, Armadale is an excellent opportunity for buyers to pick up affordable pieces in a comprehensive range of categories.

Auction goers will be able to choose from sterling silver, Chinese and Asian art, paintings, clocks, jewellery, religious icons, porcelain, glass, lamps, furniture and military items assembled over 20 years to satisfy their collecting hunger.

There are several interesting items including an antique 19^th/20^th century Russian silver photo album with a hand painted panel (lot 39), a circa 1889 English Aesthetic Movement three-piece sterling silver tea service stamped “Hunt & Roskell late Storr Mortimer & Hunt” made in London (lot 35) and a circa 1896 English sterling silver cigarette case decorated with an enamel reclining lady and angel by Colen Hewer Cheshire of Birmingham (lot 20).

Of particular note is a 19^th century 84-piece silver King’s pattern cutlery in an attractive oak canteen (lot 56), labelled inside “MacKay, Cunningham & Co. Goldsmiths to the Queen, Jewellers & Manufacturer of Silver Plate, 54 Prince Street, Edinburgh”.

Among the paintings on offer is a landscape oil featuring riders and figures (lot 707) by Italian painter Francesco Zuccarelli (1702-1788).

Prominent in the late Baroque or Rococo period, Zuccarelli is considered to be the most important landscape painter in the mid-18^th century to emerge from his adopted Venice.

His Arcadian views became popular throughout Europe and England, where he resided for two extended periods.

In 1768, Zuccarelli became a Royal Academy of Arts founding member and, on his final return to Italy, was elected president of the Venetian Academy.

Despite his lifetime fame, in the early 19^th century his reputation declined. However, in recent times there has been renewed focus on Zuccarelli among Italian scholars and his paintings and drawings are regularly exhibited.

Chinese and Asian art is another auction drawcard with a rare 17^th/18^th century carved jade cup (lot 57) bound to attract plenty of interest.

Another intriguing item is an elaborate 19^th century Chinese Qing Dynasty carved ivory dragon box (lot 76).

Clocks are a further feature with an unusual late 19^th century/early 20^th century boudoir wall clock with an eight-day Swiss movement (lot 242) worth a second look.

Auction goers are always fascinated by religious icons and this auction has several from which to choose including a 19^th century Russian icon of the resurrection (lot 259).

A pair of 19^th century French Sevres porcelain urns (lot 430) is a cost-effective way of procuring examples of this famous maker, while amongst the furniture is an 18^th century George III oak side table with a single drawer and Chippendale style brass handles (lot 671).