A rare Chinese silk robe emblazoned with gold embroidered dragons is one of the highlights of Christian McCann Auctions first sale for the year in which more than 700 lots are due to go under the hammer.

The auction, from noon Sunday February 19 at 426 Burnley Street Richmond, features items consigned over six months from 120 vendors and is bound to attract plenty of auction goers.

Chief among them is a large number of Ernest Buckmaster paintings and a private collection of Pro Hart works purchased about 20 years ago.

Beautiful 1920s Wedgwood ‘Fairyland’ lustre fruit and octagonal bowls by Daisy Makeig-Jones are the highlight of an inspiring collection of quality ceramics built up over many years by passionate collectors Lachlan and Kerry Ely on their country Victorian property at Yea.

The couple’s original focus had been first period Worcester but soon moved to 20^th century English ceramics like Doulton, Worcester and Wedgwood with a particular emphasis on individual designers such as Keith Murray, John Skeaping, Charles Noke, the Barlow sisters and Makeig-Jones.

Art lovers who visit Stonington mansion in Malvern over the next few days to view paintings earmarked for Menzies forthcoming February auction will be struck on entry by the strong colour and highly stylised rendering of modern urban life in French 20^th century master Fernand Léger’s 1943 work China Town, which takes pride of place in the foyer.

E.J Ainger’s first auction for the year is notable for its comprehensive range of Victorian, Edwardian and 1920s furniture from estate and private consignments throughout Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

Consignments include homes in Toorak, Camberwell, Hawthorn, South Yarra and East Melbourne, as well as Dromana on the Mornington Peninsula.

The auction, from 9.30am Tuesday February 7 at 433 Bridge Road Richmond, contains a large selection of collectables including carnival glass, Goebel, crystal, sterling silver, jewellery, ivory and walking sticks.

Leonard Joel has used the second of its Interiors & Jewellery weekly auctions for 2017 to present a comprehensive range of affordable items to auction goers.

The sale – covering furniture, jewellery, art salon and objects and collectables – begins at 10am Thursday February 2 at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra.

The auction features an eclectic mix of furniture, sculptures, Persian rugs, porcelain and jewellery.

Of particular note is a rare Tabriz superfine rug from Iran and a pair of Chesterfield Gascoigne leather wingback armchairs.

Like his efforts for advertising industry giant Ogilvy and Mather – where during the 1980s he became the company’s highest paid Australian executive – Michael Ball AO has left an indelible impression on the collecting of antiques and antiquities.

Leonard Joel welcomes in the New Year with the first of its Interiors & Jewellery weekly auctions – covering furniture, jewellery, art salon and objects and collectables – from 10am Thursday January 19 at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra.

A heart-shaped diamond dress ring, 14-carat gold sapphire and diamond eternity ring and nine-carat gold ruby and diamond ring are among the affordable jewellery items along with a pair of Cartier pearl trilogy earrings and Mikomoto pearl brooch set in 14-carat gold.

An ornately carved Breton sideboard, French tables and armoires are among an extensive range of furniture at E.J.Ainger’s last auction for the year from 9.30am Tuesday December 20 at 433 Bridge Road, Richmond.

Other furniture to feature includes four door sideboards, occasional items and bedside cabinets alongside Australian cedar and English mahogany pieces  - in particular a large reproduction leather top partner’s desk and a walnut cased upright piano.

The cream brick veneer exterior – admittedly with magnificently manicured large lawns and gardens – belies the plushness of the interior at 14 Otway Street, Holland Park in Brisbane with furnishings to rival those seen in Buckingham Palace, according to Mossgreen’s antiques and decorative arts specialist Jennifer Gibson.

Many of the items to be auctioned – from 2pm Sunday December 18 – are fit for a queen, including a pair of William IV sterling silver Rococo Revival soup tureens made in 1835 by Henry Wilkinson and Co in Sheffield.

Leonard Joel is holding its final Interiors and Jewellery auction for 2016 on Thursday December 15 at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra.

The auction – in four parts covering furniture, jewellery, art salon and objects & collectables – begins at 10am, with the final session starting at noon.

Of particular note is a spelter figure of mounted horse rider and a French Champleve mantle clock.

Among the jewellery is an aquamarine and diamond pendant along with a Colombian emerald and diamond ring.