Australian architect jeweller leaves an interesting auction collection
Author: Richard Brewster | Posted: 7th October, 2020
Jewellery and other collectables belonging to the late Tony White – Sydney architect turned jeweller – will be auctioned from 2pm Sunday October 11 by Bonhams at 36-40 Queen Street, Woollahra New South Wales.
White trained formally in architecture and graduated in 1965 from Sydney University before practising his craft for five years in Sydney and Melbourne.
During this period he became interested in jewellery and, although having no formal training, began working full-time from 1971 as a jeweller.
Born in April 1942 in Sydney, White travelled extensively throughout Africa, Asia, Europe and America during his years as a successful expert. He died in May this year.
Viewing at the auction venue and 97-99 Queen Street, Woollahra begins today but numbers are limited because of the COVID-19 pandemic and is only by appointment on 02 8412 2222 or by email info.aus@bonhams.com
Physical attendance at the live auction will be restricted and numbers capped.
The auction contains 220 lots with estimates ranging from several hundreds of dollars to many thousands depending on the item.
Brett Whiteley’s (1939-1992) Bonsai 1971 (lot 72) and Charles Blackman’s (1928-2018) The Dining Table c1970 (lot 92) carry the highest catalogue estimates of respectively $80,000-$120,000 and $70,000-$100,000, while Rick Amor’s Artist’s Studio, Soho 1997 (lot 192) is estimated at $8000-$12,000 and Tim Storrier’s Reef Dreaming 1986 (lot 89) is $15,000-$20,000.
Other paintings include Philip Sutton’s The Pink Jug 1973 (lot 34), Lawrence Daws Owl Creek II 1980 (lot 22) and Bryan Westwood’s (1930-2000) Coral Study (lot 21).
Among the jewellery is a pair of tourmaline and diamond pendant earrings (lot 37 - $8000-$12,000) and a cultured pearl and diamond necklace (lot 39 $3000-$5000).
Another attraction is an impressive ruby and diamond necklace (lot 80) with a catalogue estimate of $12,000-$22,000 and a pair of ruby and diamond earrings (lot 79 - $4000-$6000).
Other items to feature are a Thai or Burmese Buddhist temple deer (lot 73) and a pair of mid-19th century (from Bareilly, norther India) matched chests on stands (lot 74).
Two late 19th century/early 20th century Indian alabaster hookah bases (lot 77) are intriguing with an affordable catalogue estimate of $600-$1200.
