Australian clock collector auction a must for everyone

For those auction goers who are avid clock collectors, the forthcoming online auction of timepieces, amassed over a lifetime by a collector (who wishes to remain anonymous) living in Kangaroo Ground, by Melbourne-based Christian McCann Auctions is not to be missed.

Because of continuing Victorian lockdown COVID-19 restrictions, the auction, from 12pm Sunday October 17, will be held online with absentee and telephone bidding also available.

More than 100 very fine clocks are in the collection – the result of the vendor’s keen interest in collecting as a young man while still living in England.

At the same time, he became a passionate artist and many of his pastel works are in the auction.

Among the clocks on offer lot 76, a 19^th century English mahogany and oak long case example with hand painted dial and signed by Fenton of Macclesfield, is of particular note.

Another is a rare 19^th century English mahogany twin dial railway clock (lot 85), while a 19^th century English mahogany cased mantel clock with satinwood stringing and pull repeat double fusee movement (lot 87) is bound to attract massive interest.

These join a magnificent array of timepieces from the 18^th and 19^th centuries including English and French carriage, bracket, mantel, railway and grandfather clocks and clock sets.

Australian art is another strong auction feature with Charles Blackman’s (1928-2018) Woman and Flowers (lot 24) one of the more expensive lots at $65,000-$97,500 catalogue estimate and John Perceval’s (1923-2000) painting of fellow artist Clifton Pugh’s House, Hurstbridge (lot 25 – estimate $35,000-$52,500) among the highlights.

Other artists to appear include Hans Heysen, Pro Hart, Maurice Halford, Walter Withers and Pablo de Tommasi.

A superbly carved marble and alabaster figure of a maiden reclining on a chaise (lot 81) by Italian sculptor Adolfo Cipriani (1857-1941) is certainly worth viewing at a catalogue estimate of $6000-$9000.

Likewise, a tall 19^th century French bronze showing a maiden and gent peering into the distance (lot 198 – catalogue estimate $8000-$12,000).

At the same estimate is an outstanding and rare Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912) bronze figure depicting a Samurai archer on a rosewood base (lot 221).

Outside, a composite stone garden figure of Venus standing in a clam shell (lot 418) is another attraction among various outdoor items on offer.

Included in the French and English antique furniture is a fine 19^th century English amboyna two-door cabinet with fine inlaid decoration and ormolu mounts (lot 223). The bottom drawer is fitted with a lift up writing slide.

The auction also contains modern design and mid-20^th century Australian furniture and Persian carpets, prints and household goods.