Art collectors - this is your lucky auction day

Art collectors can have a field day at Philips Auctions forthcoming Christmas sale that features a collection of limited-edition prints, etchings and lithographs by several of Australia’s best-known artists – assembled by an 89-year-old Melbourne collector keen to pass it on to fellow stalwarts.

The online decorative arts and jewellery auction, finishing from 9.30am Monday December 11 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern, is a great opportunity to acquire a suitable Christmas present for family and friends.

Among the 30-odd prints is a limited edition 34/45 Ben Quilty collagraph entitled Torana (lot 423). Other artists include Charles Blackman, David Boyd, Ray Crooke and John Olsen.

The catalogue front cover features a large late 19^th century signed, gilt-bronze mounted Sevres centrepiece bowl (lot 7), while an early 20^th century Italian sculptured alabaster figural lamp on a column stand (lot 8) could be just the item to adorn someone’s lounge or dining room.

The range of clocks on offer includes an early 20^th century cute brass lantern timepiece in 1700s style (lot 75) – and, for porcelain lovers, a large pair of Japanese Satsuma export vases (lot 123), from the Showa Period (1926-1989) featuring the deity Kanon, could be just the thing to highlight an impressive front entrance.

Among the French and English furniture is a mid-20^th century Louis XV-style inlaid tulipwood bombe commode (lot 530) and a George II burr walnut bureau bookcase (lot 543).

On the jewellery side is a range of goodies including a 2.32-carat three stone emerald cut diamond ring (lot 24) and a full ruby set diamond detailed line bracelet (lot 25).

An elaborate Columbian emerald and diamond brooch pendant (lot 28) is another attraction along with a pair of brilliant cut diamond studs totalling 2.2 carats (lot 95).