Melbourne sculptor at forefront of decorative arts auction

Melbourne sculptor Deborah Halpern is at the forefront of weekend viewing at Philips Auctions forthcoming Fine & Decorative arts online sale, ending from 9.30am Monday May 19 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern, with her Flying Fish 2011 sculpture (lot 16) fashioned from steel, fibreglass and tiles.

Born in 1957, Halpern is no stranger to the Australian art market – with one of her more famous works entitled Angel, originally commissioned by the National Gallery of Victoria to stand in the building’s south moat, now relocated to the inner-city park Birrarung Marr.

Another, entitled Ophelia, instigated by the Southgate development project, stands proudly on the riverside promenade in front of the main Yarra River entrance.

The auction sculpture carries a catalogue estimate of $10,000-$12,000 but buyer interest is expected to be intense for this unusual work.

A collection of model Hornby trains, carriages and accessories (lots 27-94) is another auction attraction along with treasured Rene Lalique glass crystal pieces (lots 243-280) such as the ‘Toba’ rhinoceros (lot 245).

Among the paintings on offer are several Anthony A. Prout works (lots 368-371, 389-391 and 418) and Sleeping Swagman and his Dog (lot 378) by Australian artist D’Arcy W Doyle (1932-2001).

Other attractions include two polychrome-patinated spelter orientalist figures of a Nubian couple (lot 427) by French sculptor Anatole Guillot (1865-1911).

Born in Etigny, Guillot was admitted to the Ecole des beaux-arts in Paris and was a member of the Societe des artistes francais from 1882 until his death.

He also worked regularly between 1903-1906 for the Manufacture des Sevres where he created many medallions and statuettes and, due to his notoriety, was chosen with other famous sculptors to create part of the ceramic friezes of the Concordia Gate which provided access to the 1900 Universal Exhibition.

A large pair of Delft cashmere palette covered vases (lot 312) is worth a closer look along with a large bust of Henri de la Tour d’Auvergne vicomte de Turenne (1611-1675) after Derbais (lot 10).

A French military leader and marshal of France from 1643, d’Auvergne is recognised as one of Louis XIV’s leading commanders and, according to Napoleon, history’s greatest military leader.

Jewellery, to be auctioned at the same time, features a fancy link diamond line bracelet totalling 12.0 carats (lot 80) with a catalogue estimate of $28,000-$48,000.

Other items include a platinum Cartier GIA certified 1.40-carat round diamond cluster ring (lot 95) at $15,000-$25,000, an octagonal cabochon onyx plaque ring (lot 104) and a platinum and 18-carat gold pear cut emerald cluster ring (lot 11).