Christian McCann Auctions

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.”

Auction goers looking for a slightly more unusual Christmas present for family or loved ones should check out Christian McCann Auctions sale from noon Sunday at 426 Burnley Street, Richmond for fine 19^th century French furniture and clocks.

The furniture features Amboyna and inlaid items such as vitrines, commodes, sofa tables and salon cabinets, Boulle and ormolu mounted marquetry pieces.

English furniture includes George III (including a settee) and Regency mahogany

The estate of Australian artist Dorothy Plowright, who trained at the Royal Academy in London and married Neville Young of Young & Jackson fame, will be part of Christian McCann Auctions latest sale from noon Sunday October 13 at 426 Burnley Street, Richmond.

Dorothy Plowright-Young, who died in her 90s, was well known for her works and at one stage she and her husband owned historic Mornmoot – the 124-hectare horse stud at Whittlesea constructed in the early 1900s for Russell Chirnside who owned the property until the 1940s.

A Royal Worcester exhibition vase by John Stinton and a pair of Royal Worcester ewers by Johnson are major highlights of Christian McCann Auctions latest sale from noon Sunday at 426 Burnley Street, Richmond.

The auction also contains French Boulle furniture, including salon cabinets and tables, and Victorian mahogany and walnut furniture from a home in Fairy Street, Ivanhoe.

The Ivanhoe collection includes extension dining table, desks, display cabinets, bookcases and credenzas.

Red and Yellow Jonquils circa 1958 (lot 15) by one of Australia’s leading modernists Charles Blackman (1928-2018) is a highlight of Melbourne-based Christian McCann Auctions last sale for 2021, that features fine quality antiques, clocks, porcelain, Australian art and jewellery, from 12pm Sunday December 12 at 7 Harper Street, Abbotsford.