English porcelain, silver and clock collection to tempt Melbourne auction buyers
Author: Richard Brewster | Posted: 13th June, 2022
A fine collection of English 18th century porcelain, sterling silver, clocks and telescopes assembled over the past 45 years by Melbourne collector Paul Mitchell will hit the auction market from 12pm Sunday June 19 through Christian McCann Auctions at 7 Harper Street, Abbotsford.
The impending sale follows Paul’s decision to follow his book binding passion and head to England to further pursue it.
Complementing the Mitchell collection is a selection of English Regency and George III furniture and fine Australian and English art.
Typical of the collection offerings is an outstanding 19th century French Carrara marble mantel clock (lot 61) and a superb pair of 18th century Derby chamber candlesticks with cherub supports (lot 109) – one of several Derby porcelain pieces in the auction.
A rare 18th century English Flight Barr & Barr teapot, sugar bowl and creamer (lot 121) is another collection highlight, while additional interesting porcelain pieces are a 19th century palatial Royal Bonn centre comport (lot 95) and a 19th century French ormolu centre piece with shell and cherub decorations (lot 96).
Among the furniture is a quality pair of 19th century Continental carved walnut throne chairs (lot 66), a 19th century French bureau-plat (lot 64) and a 19th century Napoleon III panelled kingwood and palisander bon heur de jour (lot 99).
Examples of the quality English sterling silver can be found in the 1828 floral decoration teapot (lot 175) and later 1870 version (lot 96), and an 1840 tankard (lot 174).
Art is another strong auction attraction with paintings like Polish-born artist Henryk Szydlowski’s abstract oil on canvas (lot 118) and David Boyd’s (1924-2011) Girl flying the kite (lot 125).
Born in 1950 and graduating aged 26 from Krakow’s Academy of Fine Arts, two years later Szydlowski migrated to New Zealand and from there to Australia where he now lives in Perth.
A superb 19th century French bronze figure group by Bryand (lot 164) is among the sculpture attractions.
