Christian McCann Auctions

A rare collection of silver inlaid antique rifles should bring militaria buffs running when the hammer falls for the first time from noon Sunday December 14 at Christian McCann Auctions 426 Burnley Street, Richmond.

The auction has something for everyone and many of the items will make ideal Christmas presents as the festive season gets into full swing.

There are major bronze and marble sculptures and an original 19^th century cast iron cherub fountain.

A rare set of six original Gracius J. Broinowski books entitled The Birds of Australia, dated 1890 and belonging to well-known Melbourne bird enthusiast the late Barbara Tunbridge, will be a major drawcard at Christian McCann’s forthcoming auction from noon Saturday November 9 at 426 Burnley Street, Richmond.

A recognised artist and leading ornithologist of his day, Broinowski was born in 1837 in Poland and 20 years later arrived at Portland, Victoria after swimming ashore from a windjammer following a trying journey from England.

A collection of antique Chinese scent bottles from Toorak-based collector the Honourable Joanna Stone is a major highlight of Christian McCann Auctions forthcoming sale from noon Sunday October 12 at 426 Burnley Street, Richmond.

Built up over many years, the collection features bottles of all shapes and sizes and will be a great find for any serious collector looking to add to his or her collection.

The auction features a major Sydney collection and includes rare 18^th century Dutch marquetry furniture and an 18^th century Dutch inlaid long case clock.

A third generation Russian Australian’s collection of rare 18^th and 19^th century Russian icons is one of the major highlights of Christian McCannn Auctions sale from noon Sunday August 31 at 426 Burnley Street, Richmond.

Auctioneer Christian McCann said seldom has he had the chance to offer such an extensive collection of quality antique furniture, art and objets d’art.

About 70 pieces of rare Victorian Queens Burmese glass (hardly ever seen at auction) will be a major highlight of Christian McCann Auctions sale from noon Sunday July 13 at 426 Burnley Street, Richmond.

The Queens Burmese glass, belonging to collector Harold Price, sits among many fine examples of 18^th and 19^th century antique furniture, porcelain and art from major collections and more than 100 vendors and includes such delights as rare boulle furniture, temple vases and a carved walnut bedroom suite.

Willowbank, one of Lilydale’s original homesteads at 16 Crestway Street, will the site for Christian McCann’s latest auction from 11am Sunday June 29.

Owned by passionate collectors Malcolm and Heather McInnes (related to famous seven-time Archibald Prize winner William McInnes), the auction features a comprehensive collection of Victorian furniture, glassware, art and 18^th and 19^th century French porcelain.

The entire contents of a magnificent Templestowe mansion will be auctioned on site at 11a Read Street from noon Sunday June 1 by Christian McCann Auctions because the family is moving back to China.

The auction comprises the finest French, English and Chinese antiques, art and decorative arts and, according to Christian McCann, is a sale any serious collector or enthusiast must not miss.

Included in the auction is superb antique French furniture featuring ormolu mounted Boulle pieces, commodes, display cabinets, armchairs, gilt mirrors and library items.

William Beckwith (W.B.) McInnes is recognised as one of Australia’s greatest portrait painters and during his lifetime won the Archibald Prize seven times.

Born in 1889, McInnes studied at the National Gallery of Victoria under Frederick McCubbin and won his first Archibald Prize in 1921.

The house at 49-51 Streeton Crescent, East Ivanhoe was built originally for a member of the Hume family – direct descendants of the explorer Hamilton Hume who around 1824 opened up much of southern New South Wales and Victoria and lends his name to the Hume Highway.

The vendors, who still have the original architect drawings, have asked Christian McCann Auctions to sell the contents on site from midday Sunday March 16.

The auction will comprise the finest quality French, English and Chinese antiques and objet d’art, and Australian art.

When notorious 1920s underworld identity Joseph “Squizzy” Taylor was fatally wounded in October 1927 by fellow gangster John “Snowy” Cutmore, he was apparently wearing a suit made by George Symons grandfather.

“My grandfather (also named George) had a tailor’s shop in the Block Arcade overlooking Collins Street and made suits for professional people and businessmen,” George said.

“Squizzy also used to have his suits made there and always paid cash – so, from a business point of view, my grandfather very much lamented his passing.”