Boulle furniture collection to the fore at Melbourne auction

Author: Richard Brewster | Posted: 1st August, 2016

Twenty pieces of 19th century French boulle inlaid marquetry, brass and tortoiseshell furniture in mint condition belonging to a Toorak-based doctor is a major highlight of Kim’s Auctions forthcoming sale from 11am Sunday August 7 at 327-329 Warrigal Road, Burwood.

The furniture – the style of which was made famous during the 17th and 18th centuries by pre-eminent French cabinetmaker Andre-Charles Boulle responsible for much of the decoration and furniture in Louis XIV’s Versailles Palace – was purchased about 20 years ago from the former Acorn Antiques in High Street, Armadale.

Among the collection is a serpentine centre table, bureau plat, credenza, card table and a two-door display cabinet.

The auction contains a pair of Louis XV eight-branch gilded marble candelabras and several splendid clocks, including a boulle timepiece featured with the candelabras and a three-piece Roccoco salon clock set.

Another is an ornate mantel clock, and there are two walnut grandfather clocks – one Chippendale-style and the other French.

Several pieces of Sevres are featured including a large lidded vase, a pair of smaller lidded creations with a matching bowl.

The other porcelain on offer includes Royal Doulton and Royal Worcester vase and figures.

Other attractions include a pair of crustal lustre, a rocking horse and a 19th century bronze figure entitled Muse des Bois.

Among the interesting Asian items is a 1050-year-old Chinese Han dynasty female figure on horseback and 1250-year-old (also Han dynasty) collection of four female musicians.

Other Asian items include ivory tusks, an Indian natural ruby necklace, a Chinese 19th century ivory incense holder, a Cloisonne incense burner and a Tibetan bronze seated Quan Yin.

Works by several Australian artists – including Pro Hart, David Boyd and Sidney Nolan – feature in the sale along with a wide variety of jewellery, gents and ladies watches, and hand knotted Persian rugs. 

To the extent permitted by law, neither AAR nor the registered owner of this website is responsible for any content of any advertisements published on this website. You should contact directly the advertiser to confirm the accuracy of any details contained in any advertisement.