Art deco to the fore in Melbourne auction

A circa 1925 art deco onyx, marble and bronze clock garniture by French clockmakers Lardot and Boyon (lot 86) is one of the highlights of Melbourne-based Philips Auctions forthcoming online decorative arts auction finishing from 9.30am Monday August 11 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern.

The mantel clock comprises a stepped two-tone red onyx and veined cream marble case surrounding a faux green onyx dial flanked by a pair of patinated bronze trumpeting elephants and surmounted by a seated monkey musician.

Matching garniture pieces decorated with silver bronze panels featuring upright elephants stand either side of the central timepiece.

The auction, notable for many art deco pieces, also features three Japanese cloisonné enamel vases by the Ando workshop (lots 115-117) from the Showa Period (1926-1989).

Another spectacular piece is the impressive figure of an actress dressed as the Queen of Babylon (lot 82) after Romanian sculptor Demetre Chiparus (1886-1947) who lived and worked in Paris.

One of the most important artists of the era, Chiparus represented the classical manifestation of the art deco style with decorative bronze ivory sculptures.

A fascination with the art of ancient Egypt following the discovery in 1922 of Tutankhamun’s tomb led to his sculpture creations of Queen Cleopatra and Egyptian dancers.

The accompanying jewellery auction has many highlights including a multi stone ruby and diamond cluster dress ring (lot 23), a circa 1900 finely carved Medusa shell cameo brooch (lot 35) and an antique earring brooch suite of enamelled foliate design (lot 38).

An unusual pair of antique Victorian double cameo drop earrings (lot 43) is another strong attraction along with a Georgian silver and gold diamond set hinged bangle (lot 52).

Other features include an antique old cut diamond set panel brooch (lot 57), a stylish art deco diamond set plaque ring (lot 59) and an antique Whitby jet cameo brooch in a gold frame (lot 60).

A more current piece is the diamond set gold Tiffany petal key pendant (lot 91).