Australian antique dealer gives up his auction treasures
Author: Richard Brewster | Posted: 13th September, 2022
After more than 40 years selling antiques, Melbourne-based Roy Williams has decided its time wind up the retail arm of his business and has asked Christian McCann Auctions to handle the sale from 12pm Sunday September 18 at 7 Harper Street, Abbotsford .
Trading as Roy’s Antiques in Clifton Hill, Williams is an icon of the Australian industry, writing two books and hundreds of magazine articles on antiques.
His experience includes owning a San Francisco shop in the 1990s, exhibiting at antique fairs in Australia and the United States and the becoming the resident expert on three talkback radio shows at the time.
Television was another venture with his views regularly publicised on shows such as Good Morning Australia and Healthy, Wealthy and Wise.
Williams is particularly recognised for his expertise on Imperial Russian silver and museum quality 18th century French, other European and British furniture and decorative arts.
In order to source such items as Faberge eggs, rare paintings and other unique treasures, over the years he has scoured exotic locations throughout Jordan, Israel, France, Italy, England, Canada, the United States and the Philippines.
The auction is in three sections. The first is devoted to 225 lots of sculptures, silver and objet d’art with a mid-19th century (c1860) pair of Rococo revival French ormolu five candle light wall sconces (lot 6) typical of the offerings.
An art deco gilt bronze sculpture of a shot putter (lot 15) is another drawcard, while a large pair of early 19th century French Empire ormolu and bronze figure candelabras (lot 37) is not to be missed.
A c1900 Russian silver and enamel Easter egg (lot 42) is a colourful attraction along with a Coromandel dressing and jewel box (lot 40).
The second section of 167 lots is 18th century French and Continental furniture and a c1770 transitional Paris commode (lot 252) by master craftsman Pierre Pioniez (1730-1790), who began his career as an apprentice to the famed cabinetmaker Pierre Migeon (1696-1758), is an absolute standout.
Another is the c1770 Louis XV two-door bibliotheque/bookcase/china cabinet (lot 263) along with the c1765 serpentine fronted Chippendale mahogany chest of drawers (lot 278) and the c1770 Louis XV Paris brass beaded two-door mahogany cabinet/armoire (lot 285) by Francois Moreau.
Finally there are 116 lots of antique English and European porcelain that feature such attractive items as a mid-20th century pair of hand painted porcelain vases (lot 494) and a spectacular c1845 Vieux Paris vase (lot 474).
Live viewing 10am-5pm Thursday September 15 to Saturday September 17 and 9.30am-12pm Sunday September 18 at 410 Queens parade, Clifton Hill.
