The individuality of items in Mossgreen’s forthcoming Interior Decorator auction from 10.30am Monday May 11 at 926-930 High Street, Armadale is a great opportunity for collectors from all walks of life to obtain a piece of classic history.

Right from Lot 1, an 18^th century French Louis XV giltwood marble topped console table, collectors should be rubbing their hands in anticipation of some quality purchases.

Three high priced items should whet serious collector appetites at Sotheby’s Australia forthcoming jewellery auction from 5.30pm Tuesday May 12 at 41 Exhibition Street, Melbourne.

One is the extremely rare “Willows” 35.73-carat yellow sapphire pendant carrying a catalogue estimate of $100,000-$150,000.

Reportedly unearthed on August 14, 1946 in central Queensland by John Anderson, the sapphire’s extraordinary size places in an exclusive category and is the largest and finest Australian sapphire that the American Gemological Laboratories has examined to date.

Tiny Singer sewing machines that can be held in one hand will be an unusual drawcard at Young’s Auctions next sale from 9.30am Friday May 1 at 229 Camberwell Road, East Hawthorn.

As well as the miniature sewing machines, this interesting collection includes old cameras and oil cans from the 1940s and men’s magazines from the 1950s.

There also is a substantial collection of specially minted commemorative silver coins, along with a fine specimen cabinet, old microscopes and an early anvil.

An outstanding single owner collection of Moorcroft art pottery including a rare Jerusalem vase will be part of a two-day auction from 11am Saturday May 2 and Sunday May 3 by E.J. Ainger Pty Ltd at 433 Bridge Road, Richmond.

The Jerusalem vase – number one in a limited edition run of only 50 – is now worth about $25,000. At the time of its manufacture in 2000, each vase retailed in England for £11,500 and numbers sold quickly.

Two works – one of them a major painting entitled The Garden of the Graces – by famous 19^th century water colourist Ebenezer Wake Cook (1843-1926) lead a strong art section at Christian McCann Auctions forthcoming sale from noon Sunday May 3 at 426 Burnley Street, Richmond.

The painting was inspired by Greek mythology The Three Graces (in Roman mythology Gratiae) – goddesses of such virtues as charm, beauty and creativity.

The David Clarke Collection of Australian Art – containing more than 40 paintings, sculptures and works on paper – is one of the most significant private collections of Australian art in recent decades.

Comprising important works from colonial to modern and contemporary Australian artists, the collection will be auctioned by Sotheby’s Australia, as part of its Important Australian Art auction, from 6.30pm Tuesday April 28 at the InterContinental Sydney, 117 Macquarie Street.

Auction goers looking for useful furniture items to furnish their homes could do worse than attend auctioneer Steve Graham’s latest sale from 10am Sunday April 26 at 110 Smith Street, Macedon.

A comprehensive range of furniture and effects will go under the hammer. Among the main features is an upright piano and a Chesterfield lounge suite.

The auction contains display cabinets, sideboards, a hallstand, wine cabinet and lounge, dining and bedroom suites.

Two Swiss Bolex Paillard h-16 16mm reflex movie cameras are bound to set collector pulses racing when they are offered for auction from 9.30am Thursday April 23 by Young’s Auctions at 229 Camberwell Road, East Hawthorn.

Both cameras are in excellent condition and were first introduced by the company in 1933.

While no one remembers what the “h” stands for, it has become synonymous internationally with a versatile, compact, high quality camera and over the years outsold all other 16mm rivals.

The view from the turret of the original 1890s large Victorian heritage listed homestead at 607-609 Riversdale Road, Camberwell is amazing.

From there, you can see Melbourne city centre and Port Phillip Bay.

This is the venue for Glenelg Auctions latest sale – from 11am on Sunday April 26.

Auctioneer Brian O’Halloran says a major highlight of the auction is the range of paintings by famous Australian artists.

Leonard Joel’s April Modern Design auction features an international collection with designer pieces never before offered on the Australian auction market.

Highlights of the sale, from 6.30pm Thursday April 23 at 333 Malvern Road South Yarra, include the Saruyama Sofa designed by Toshiyuki Kita and manufactured by Moroso.

Another classic is the ‘Wave Sofa’ designed in 1988 by famous female architect Zaha Hadid.

The multi award-winning architect has designed some of the most famous landmarks and furniture of 20^th century.