Australian university professor offers his silver collection for auction

A large collection of English, Scottish and Australian silver, owned by University of Canberra professor and former senior Federal public servant Stephen Bartos, is a highlight of Melbourne-based Leski Auctions forthcoming two-day Decorative Arts, Collectables and Cameras sale from 10am Saturday March 29 and Sunday March 30 at 727-729 high Street, Armadale.

The Bartos collection, amassed over about 30 years, is featured from lots 1 to 101 – with a pair of circa 1765 English sterling silver sauce boats (lot 1) by London makers Robert and David Hennell an interesting part of the collection.

Another worthwhile piece is a circa 1824 Georgian sterling silver coffee pot by London’s Joseph Angell (lot 14), while there are several Georgian snuff boxes by various makers including a circa 1827 version by William Eaton (lot 11).

An expert on governance, finance, strategy and risk, Professor Bartos, who during his Commonwealth Government employment was deputy secretary of the Finance Department, has written two books and numerous reference articles on his area of expertise.

His collection also contains a circa 1840 William IV English rosewood sarcophagus form cellarette (lot 65) and a Gillows rosewood sarcophagus form teapoy from the same period (lot 66).

Outside of Professor Bartos’s collection, the auction contains other collectable silver items such as the circa 1744 George II English coffee pot (lot 102), formerly part of the Geoffrey Kaye collection, much of which is now in the University of Melbourne’s Potter Gallery, and a circa 1831 Kings pattern cutlery service (lot 114).

With world gold prices rapidly increasing in the current volatile international share market, an 1871 French solid 18-carat gold box (lot 258) has particular appeal.

Made by Paris goldsmith Louis-Francois Tronquoy it features a hand painted portrait of Queen Victoria surrounded by enamel and paste stones on the front and carries a $25,000-$35,000 catalogue estimate.

Another and earlier (circa 1847) solid gold box (lot 259) by the same artist – and engraved with the French Royal Ducal crown and monogram of Antoine D’Orleans – is estimated at $12,000-$15,000.

Born July 31, 1824 as the youngest son of King Louis Philippe of France, D’Orleans carried the title Duke of Montpensier until his death on February 4, 1890.

In 1846, he married King Ferdinand VII of Spain’s daughter Infanta Louisa Fernanda and they had 10 children – one of whom, Mercedes, later became Queen of Spain after she married Alfonso XII.

Art glass is always popular and in this auction a pair of 19^th century Mary Gregory cobalt blue mantel vases (lot 724) is bound to appeal to many buyers.

However, impressive is the circa 1890 pair of finely hand painted French exhibition vases signed by Paul Roussel (lot 726).