A giant pair of marble lions is the striking feature of E.J. Ainger’s forthcoming “architectural and art deco almost single vendor” auction, according to managing director John Ainger.

“The lions were part of a Templestowe mansion belonging to a well-known Melbourne business identity that he tore down 10 years ago and have been stored ever since in a Bentleigh warehouse,” he said.

The lions (each of which weighs about two tonnes) are not the only massive architectural feature at the auction, which will be held from 11am Sunday December 2 at 433 Bridge Road, Richmond.

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.

In hindsight, it was probably a stroke of luck that two young French artists were the only ones left of the five who in 1800 left France with French explorer Nicolas Baudin on a “Voyage de decouvertes aux terres australes” (Voyage of discovery to Terra Australis).

Three of the artists jumped ship when the two vessels, Geographe and Naturaliste, reached Mauritius as Baudin faced a wholesale exodus of scientists and sailors – eventually rejigging his crews before sailing for what is now Cape Leeuwin on the Western Australian coast. 

 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.