Antique sterling silver among Australian auction attractions

A large 1772 Scottish George III sterling silver hot water urn by Edinburgh silversmith Patrick Robinson (lot 344) is one of the leading items in Melbourne-based Gibson’s Auctions comprehensive two-part Spring sale from 11am Sunday November 27 and continuing the next day at 885-889 High Street, Armadale.

With a catalogue estimate of $11,000-$13,000, this neoclassical covered urn features a fruiting finial above a sweeping fluted neck and body decorated with swags, rosettes and macarons.

It is among a range of quality antique sterling silver including a 1697 William III Britannia standard two handled porringer by London maker Robert Timbrell (lot 343), an early 1830s William IV snuff box by Birmingham silversmith Edward Smith (lot 345) and a 1973 Elizabeth II figural two light candelabra by London’s Mappin and Webb (lot 347).

The two-day auction contains 1064 lots – of which 600 will be offered on the Sunday. The sale kicks off with a circa 1790 George III satinwood and sabicu Bonheur-du-jour attributed to furniture maker George Simson that was bought in 1983 from Sydney’s Palmer Antiques.

Other interesting furniture pieces include a pair of early 18^th century Queen Anne/George I walnut side chairs (lot 104), a mid-19^th century Victorian rosewood fold over games table (lot 322) and a 19^th century mahogany folding lady’s writing bureau (lot 337).

One of the more unusual furniture items with a catalogue estimate of $12,000-$16,000 is an impressive profusely carved possibly zitan and hardwood cabinet (lot 180) with three large upper compartments, each with a pull-down panel door, above two drawer fronts.

A gilt bronze figure of the goddess Sadaksari (lot 122) is among the sculptures on offer while a 19^th century Chinese Qing Dynasty ormolu mounted Canton famille rose bowl (lot 195) is another worthwhile attraction.

Collectors will be interested in some of the clocks in the sale including a circa 1830 Louis XV style ormolu mounted clock (lot 272) with a catalogue estimate of $3000-$5000.

The auction features a range of quality Royal Worcester by famous artists including Charles Baldwyn’s circa 1892 covered urn vase (lot 220) and ewers (lots 221-222). Other Royal Worcester artists in the sale are John and Harry Stinton (lots 226-229, 231), Weaver Hawkins (lot 225) and Harris Davis (lot 230).

Among paintings in the auction is Chinese artist Wang Lixian’s Hebei Country Girl 1993 that was part of a Contemporary Chinese Masters Collection that year at the Gold Coast Arts Centre in Queensland.

Eye catching is a pair of 19^th century marble pedestals (lot 312) while a late 20^th century Lalique ‘Champs-Elysees’ bowl is work checking out along with jewellery items such as the three stone pink and white diamond ring (lot 376) with a catalogue estimate of $9000-$12,000 and the Jaeger Le Coultre gold and diamond wristwatch (lot 456).