Australian art among a fine selection auction collectables
Author: Richard Brewster | Posted: 7th December, 2012
Red and Yellow Jonquils circa 1958 (lot 15) by one of Australia’s leading modernists Charles Blackman (1928-2018) is a highlight of Melbourne-based Christian McCann Auctions last sale for 2021, that features fine quality antiques, clocks, porcelain, Australian art and jewellery, from 12pm Sunday December 12 at 7 Harper Street, Abbotsford.
A member of the Antipodeans which included such luminaries as Arthur Boyd, John Brack, Robert Dickerson, John Perceval and Clifton Pugh, Blackman noted for his 1950s series of the Schoolgirl, Avonsleigh and Alice in Wonderland.
Other artists in the auction include Pro Hart (1928-2006) with works such as Country Picnic (lot 63) and The Picnic Meeting (lot 64), Hugh Sawrey Picking the Crop (lot 65) and David Boyd (1924-2011) Judge Series (lot 7).
Arthur Boyd (1920-1999) is another artist to feature prominently with his work Shoalhaven (lot 129).
Among the furniture is an outstanding 19th century French kingwood and ebon fold over card table (lot 10) and exhibition quality two-door French cabinet (lot 16) with marble top, Corinthian columns and fine ivory, brass and mother of pearl floral decorations.
Another furniture attraction is the rare 18th century Dutch burr walnut bureau bookcase (lot 68).
Porcelain is a strong drawcard, particularly for serious collectors, and lot 13 features an exhibition quality 19th century French Sevres lidded vase, while lot 28 is tall Japanese Satsuma cylinder vase from the Meiji period (1868-1912).
Auction goers also won’t want to miss the superb pair of 18th century French Sevres cabinet plates with hand painted panels (lot 12).
Among the many timepieces on offer is a lovely 19th century French brass cased three-piece clock set (lot 14) with champlevé enamel decorations.
Another is the 19th century Black Forrest mantel clock with a carved eagle and sheep decoration (lot 11).
Bronze figures are always popular and the work of 19th century French sculptor Adrien Etienne Gaudez (1845-1902) is on display with “The upholster reading” (lot 80).
The outstanding 19th century French bronze upright panel (lot 22) is another example of fine craftsmanship by Henri-Michel-Antoine Chapu (1833-1891), a French sculptor in the modified Neoclassical tradition known for his use of allegory.
Among the jewellery on offer is a stunning fancy pink diamond ring complete with a 1.29-carat pink diamond (lot 123).
