Leonard Joel

Asian art lovers will be impressed at the range of collectable items on display at Leonard Joel’s Asian Art Edit auction from 6.30pm Wednesday December 12 at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra.

One of the more colourful items is a circa 1705 Edo Period Japanese four panel screen in the Kano Tomonobu school style and painted by its esteemed artist Fujiwara Toshinobu at 70 years old (lot 13).

Kano Tomonobu was the sixth generation descendant of the master Kano Eitoku who established the Kano tradition of crane paintings.

Melbourne couple Frank and Jill Jones were always a welcome site at the city’s art galleries, antique shops and auction houses.

Married in 1963 in London with years spent travelling and working in Europe, they returned to Melbourne in 1967 and eight years later moved into the family Toorak home.

It was then their collecting began in earnest – frequenting the likes of Leonard Joel, Sotheby’s, Joseph Brown, Christie’s, Adam Galleries, Franzi and Filcock, Littleton Gallery, Behruz and Parkside Antiques until they had become firm friends with all the proprietors. 

Looking for jewellery with a difference to give that special person for Christmas but unable to afford the staggering asking price that many such pieces seem to generate.

Then head to Leonard Joel’s from 6.30 Wednesday December 5 at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra where you will be able to choose from a huge auction range in the Kellies Antiques collection – most with estimates of only a few hundred dollars.

From the opening lot – a pair of Victorian ram’s head drop earrings in 18-carat gold – the  offerings are unusual.

When the late Neil Robertson was 12 years old he purchased his first antique – a decision that was to start him on a lifetime of collecting, particularly curios.

After completing high school, he worked in Australia and England as a bookseller before becoming the proprietor of Melbourne’s iconic Webber’s Booksellers, opened in 1931 by Margareta Webber.

His other interest was gardening – and to that end in 1988 he became involved in Australia’s Open Garden Scheme and served as its national executive officer for almost 20 years.

With major Australian art auction houses currently enticing both Australian and overseas art lovers to invest in expensive and significant works, Leonard Joel’s forthcoming Fine Art sale is a breath of fresh air for those auction goers looking to enter the market for the first time or simply searching for more modest purchases.

The auction will be held from 6.30pm Tuesday November 27 at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra.

 Leonard Joel’s national jewellery head John D’Agata recently took a sentimental trip down memory lane when he saw a Tiffany & Co ruby and diamond double clip pin earmarked for sale (lot 85) in the company’s forthcoming Fine Jewels auction from 6.30pm Monday November 26 at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra.

The piece reminded him a similar item – a retro Tiffany & Co ruby and aquamarine brooch that sold in November 2007 – D’Agata’s first auction after joining the staff of Leonard Joel.

Leonard Joel’s Prints and Multiples auctions have become increasingly popular as auction goers realise they present the perfect opportunity to pick up a work by a prominent Australian artist for an affordable price.

This forthcoming auction – from 6.30pm on Wednesday November 14 at the company’s converted warehouse venue of 200A Argyle Street, Fitzroy – is no exception.

A converted Fitzroy warehouse with an abundance of natural light is the setting for Leonard Joel’s November Modern Design auction, which features a stunning and eclectic range of European design furniture.

The auction, from 6.30pm Monday November 12 at 200A Argyle Street, Fitzroy is an adventurous move from Leonard Joel’s traditional South Yarra venue and modern design head Anna Grassham says it pays tribute to the many layers, hidden spaces and hybrids of cultures Melbourne offers.

Items belonging to Pixie Skase, wife of disgraced 1980s tycoon the late Christopher Skase, will be auctioned from 2pm Thursday November 1 by Leonard Joel at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra.

Jewellery features prominently in the collection including an 18-carat gold two stone emerald and diamond dress ring and an amethyst pendant in 14-carat gold.

Other jewellery items include a pair of antique style miniature portrait earrings, a diamond and sapphire leopard brooch and a Hungarian coin pendant.

Artist Tori Dixon-Whittle’s collection is an interesting mix of art, furniture and collectables that will appeal to a broad range of auction goers.

Leonard Joel is auctioning the collection from 6.30pm Wednesday October 31 at 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra and there should be plenty of bidding from the opening lot – a painting entitled Woman with Blue Background 2005 by Chinese artist Zhong Chen.

Other paintings of note include McLean Edwards’ Pretty in Pink (lot 3) and David Bromley’s Butterfly diptych (lot 27) and Tulips (lot 44).