Submitted by aarAdmin on Mon, 10/13/2025 - 00:00
An important 23-piece Moorcroft collection up for auction in Melbourne on October 11 through Leski Auctions was a frantic affair as collectors bid desperately for the items involved.
Top seller was a rare English “Flambe Carp” pottery urn (lot 633) – knocked down for $80,000 against a catalogue estimate of $25,000 to $35,000.
Other pieces in the collection also fared well, with a “Moonlit Blue” exhibition mantel vase (lot 636) bringing $11,000 and a “Waratah” baluster shaped specimen (lot 634) $9500.
A rare “Protea” twin handled vase (lot 635) was another pleasing result at $8000, while a “Hazeldene” version (lot 637) made for London’s Liberty & Co brought $7000.
Another important highlight was a pair of Japanese Meiji period 19th-20th century cloisonné vases featuring cranes and irises using the Musen shippo technique (lot 344) selling for a massive $51,000 against a $1200-$2000 catalogue estimate.
Apart from the pottery collection, the auction offered a comprehensive range of silver, jewellery, watches, clocks, Chinese, Asian and European art, glass, lamps, furniture and porcelain.
An untitled Cornish beach scene (lot 551) by British artist Dorothea Sharp (1874-1955) was the pick of the artworks at $24,000, against a $10,000-$15,000 catalogue estimate, and a Pandora 14-carat yellow gold bracelet and large quantity of charms (lot 219) selling for $15,000 the best of the jewellery items.
A circa 1828 Georgian gilded sterling silver two handled lidded trophy cup (lot 4) sold above estimate for $13,000 and a circa 1783 silver serving tray (lot 5) for $7500.
Surprising was a 20th century Sino-Tibetan gilt bronze statue which was knocked down for $4600 on a $120-$200 estimate.
