Philips Auctions

Twenty-five bottle of Penfolds Grange Bin 95 dating back to 1994 is a wine lovers highlight of Philips Auctions latest sale from noon Sunday September 14 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern.

The collector concerned specially selected two bottles of each vintage from 1996 to 2008 to cellar – except for the year 2000.

Philips Auctions has been asked to sell 58 indigenous artworks as part of a single vendor collection from the former South Melbourne-based Blue Door Gallery.

The auction will take place from noon Sunday July 27 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern and follows recent successes Philips Auctions has achieved with single owner Aboriginal art sales.

Blue Door Gallery started by chance 10 years ago when a lunchtime stroll by owner Steve Ralph resulted in the purchase of a small William Jangala King work as a birthday present for his then girlfriend (now wife) Rachael.

A gold pocket watch, compass and family photos once belonging to geologist Professor Griffith Taylor (1880-1963), a surviving member of British explorer Robert Scott’s ill-fated 1910-1913 Terra Nova Expedition to Antarctica, will be a major drawcard for Philips Auctions jewellery auction from 6pm Monday June 16 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern. 

A rare 1860s southern Chinese lacquered wood palanquin acquired several years ago from an old Tasmanian collection will be a major highlight of Philips Auctions forthcoming sale from noon Sunday June 15 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern.

Palanquins were mainly used for transporting members of the aristocracy, protecting them from dust and dirt and hot and cold weather during their travels.

The largest collection of Staffordshire dogs in Australia is set to be auctioned from noon on Sunday May 4 at Philips Auctions 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern.

The collection, which also includes several porcelain cats and lions, was owned by a Pennsylvanian woman whose son-in-law shipped it to Australia after she died.

According to antique trade experts, it is the biggest Staffordshire dog collection in living memory and contains several rare specimens from the 1850s to 1890s.

Among Philips Auctions latest decorative arts sale (from noon tomorrow at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern) are two collections – one, 19^th century milk glassware and small “end of day” vases by various well-known glassmakers, the other Russian and English silver dating from the 17^th century.

The glassware belonged to solicitor the late Robert McCracken, whose ancestors, brothers Robert and Peter, migrated from Scotland in 1841 and established a brewery that was eventually taken over by Carlton United.

It is rare these days to find collectors of Aboriginal art who actually travel to the communities to meet the artists and purchase the works first hand.

However, Michael and Janet Strachan did exactly that when about 20 years ago they first visited the Kimberley region of Western Australia and fell in love with the landscape and its art.

Their first contact was with the Warmun community – the home of what were to become iconic Aboriginal artists like Rover Thomas, Jack Britten and Queenie McKenzie - and famous for its ochre paintings.

A stunning range of diamond solitaire rings could make the ideal Christmas gifts as Philips Auctions gears up for its fine decorative arts and jewellery auctions from noon on Sunday December 1 and 6pm on Monday December 2 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern.

The largest of the diamonds is 8.88 carats, with others measuring respectively 6.25, 4.30, 1.80 and 1.50 carats.

These rings have already generated a great deal of interest with enquiries from both overseas and throughout Australia.

Six very unusual art deco clocks could bring a rush of collectors to Philips Auctions next decorative and fine arts sale from noon on Sunday December 1 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern.

There is a wealth of items to attract a broad range of buyers with Chinese vases, bowls and other artefacts high on the attraction list.

Items belonging to one of New Zealand’s leading auctioneers, the late Murray McKearney, are among some of the stronger attractions in Philips Auctions latest sale, from noon on Sunday at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern.

From the 1960s, Mr McKearney was a dominant force in the antiques and fine arts auction scene around Hastings and until the 1980s (when he ceased auctioneering) every dealer of note from Auckland to Wellington gathered for each of his auctions.