Australian conservationist's collection goes under the hammer

Melbourne interior decorator and landscaper the late Daryl Mills, who died late last year, was a popular figure among collectors.

Those who visited his business Demille Decorative Arts in High Street, Kew became used to seeing him in trademark white overalls tending to his largely art deco and 1950s and 1960s collection of fittings and furniture, and he was a great supporter of Melbourne’s auction houses.

Daryl’s artistic life began at 18 with landscaping that also incorporated an art gallery in Gardenvale.

Collectors will have the opportunity to remember Bruce Armstrong, one of Australia’s most important sculptors who died earlier this year aged 67, when Menzies online auction of Prints & Multiples closes from 6.30pm on Wednesday August 28.

His bronze sculpture entitled The Cricketer, conceived in 1987 and cast in 2021, (lot 14) is among more than 80 works on offer from some of Australia’s best artists.

Dubbed An Eye For Beauty sale, this part II auction of a single owner collection of decorative arts and general collectables from 10am Sunday August 11 by Melbourne-based Leski Auctions at 727-729 High Street, Armadale is an excellent opportunity for buyers to pick up affordable pieces in a comprehensive range of categories.

Auction goers will be able to choose from sterling silver, Chinese and Asian art, paintings, clocks, jewellery, religious icons, porcelain, glass, lamps, furniture and military items assembled over 20 years to satisfy their collecting hunger.

Always seen as one of Australia’s leading modern 20^th century artists, Sidney Nolan (1917-1992) became a household name through his stunning depictions of infamous outlaw and bushranger Ned Kelly who, dressed in his legendary iron suit of armour for a shootout with Victorian police at Glenrowan, was hanged aged 25 on November 11, 1880 at Old Melbourne Gaol.