Three timed online auctions on the same day is Melbourne-based Christian McCann Auctions way of greeting the 2023 New Year – with the first, devoted to decorative arts and antiques, closing from 3pm at 7 Harper Street, Abbotsford – and the next two, important art and Asian furniture and porcelain, respectively from 4pm and 5pm.

The decorative arts and antiques sale has 159 lots to go under the hammer, most of which are readily affordable even to first time auction goers and would make an attractive adornment to any home.

Melbourne-based Philips Auctions Christmas timed online decorative arts auction, which ends from 9am Monday December 12 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern has some interesting knick-knacks that could make ideal festive season gifts.

One is a particularly eye-catching mid-19^th century tilt-top circular table with inlaid multi wood veneers (lot 511) that has a catalogue estimate of $1500-$2500.

With three spectacular watercolours by Hermannsburg School Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira (1902-1959) to help entice buyers to its Important Australian and European Paintings Sunday December 4 sale, South Australian-based Elder Fine Art also has plenty of other works by big name Australian artists to satisfy the current booming interest in art by both first-time purchasers and established collectors.

In a fascinating look at Australia’s convict past, Melbourne-based Leski Auctions two-day Australian & Historical sale has a section on convicts and bushrangers that pays tribute to the country’s penal settlement days.

One of the items is an 18-carat gold pocket watch (lot 249) presented to the former Chief District Constable of Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) George Brown “as a token of respect and esteem on his leaving the colony”.