50-year-old priceless collection goes under the hammer

A 50-year-old collection built up by one of Melbourne’s leading businessmen will be auctioned on site from 11am Sunday at 46 Monomeath Avenue, Canterbury.

Kim’s Auctions has been asked to handle the sale which features quality sterling silver including a 1774 George III swing handle basket, a 1697 pair of William III lighthouse castors featuring the London coat of arms, a George IV oval shaped Scottish soup tureen by J McKay, an 1830 William IV ewer and basin, and George III dinner plates (London 1762) and six-piece tea service (London 1817-18).

For wine buffs there is a selection of early Penfold Grange wine from the 1950s to the late 1970s.

Clock lovers must not miss the superb French bronze and gilt example by Pierre Alexandre Schoenewerk (1820-1885) – a French sculptor who was a student of the famous French sculptor and medallist David d’Angers (1788-1856) and in 1873 was named a Chevalier of the French legion of Honour.

Antique furniture offerings include a French Napoleon II walnut centre table, boulle serpentine two-door marble top credenza, two-door vitrine with ormolu fittings, Victorian burr walnut panel extension dining table with 14 balloon back leather upholstery dining chairs and a mahogany marble top council table.

Among the art for auction are works by Pro Hart, Samuel Thomas Gill, Septimus Power, J.H. Scheltema, Sidney Nolan, David Boyd, Hugh Sawrey, Arthur Streeton, J.A. Turner, Brett Whiteley and Charles Blackman.

Unusual is the Edison Triumph phonograph with goosehorn neck, rare Bengal tiger skin and blue stuffed peacock.

Porcelain includes Royal Doulton figurines, a Royal Worcdester vase with lid, Moorcroft bowl and Carltonware.

There also a selection of Persian rugs and jewellery including diamond rings, earrings, bracelets and gold necklaces.