Big name indigenous artists in several collections are the hallmark of Australian art auction house Deutscher and Hackett’s forthcoming Important Australian Aboriginal Art sale from 7pm Wednesday March 30 at 105 Commercial Road, South Yarra.

One of the most noteworthy is Merne (Everything), 1991 (lot 5) by Emily Kame Kngwarreye (c1910-1996) – painted at a time when she emerged as one of Australia’s leading artists with her works being sought after on an unprecedented scale, marking the beginning of her national and international recognition.  

A circa 1780 continental walnut map table (lot 157) – used as part of the interior setting of Villa Albergoni in Lombardy for the 2017 Italian film “Call Me by your Name” based on the book of the same name by Andre Aciman – is a major highlight of Melbourne-based Gibson’s Auctions Autumn Auction Series from 11am on Sunday March 27 with a $20,000-$30,000 catalogue estimate.

It is rich pickings for collectors of art, antique furniture and historic antiquities at Christian McCann Auctions forthcoming onsite Melbourne sale with paintings and collectables that have never before seen the insides of an auction room.

The auction, which is in two parts at 31 Gordon Street, Hampton, begins at 12pm on Sunday March 20 – with the second section featuring Stewart Macciolli’s collection of Roman and Grecian antiquities and collectables designed for the late 1600s and 1700s Grand Tour market starting at 4pm.  

Not sure how much of a step up it is from manufacturing aluminium ladders to collecting antiques – however, if you ask Werner and Cecile Hecht they have had a lot of fun doing both.

Born in Munich, Werner was 21 when he moved to Australia in 1960. Cecile, who hails from Toulouse, France, migrated to Melbourne 12 years later at age 24.

Both were married with children to other partners before they teamed up and in 1980 started their step ladder business Mboss Access Ladders in the garage of their home.