Fine art Melbourne auction closes door on COVID year
Author: Richard Brewster | Posted: 8th December, 2020
Auctioneer Christian McCann is relieved to close the door on what he has described as a “unique and interesting” year with his final antiques and art sale for 2020 from 12pm Sunday December 13 at 7 Harper Street, Abbotsford.
Like every other auction house in Australia, the COVID-19 pandemic has severely limited operations (mainly to online auctions) and it is with a sigh of relief that the company can head for a well-earned Christmas break.
However, before then he is holding an auction that offers fine quality French furniture, decorative arts from Tasmania, porcelain, clocks and clock sets, art, sculpture and a range of other collectables.
Right from the opening lot – a fine pair of 19th century Chinese porcelain vases – auction goers will be keen to participate in the buying action which includes the likes of Sevres, Meissen and Royal Worcester among its porcelain treasures.
A superb 19th century French serpentine shaped boulle cabinet with Carrara marble top (lot 2) is a great furniture piece to adorn any home, while the range of art including the likes of William Beckwith McInnes Trees in a Landscape (lot 9), Alan Baker The afternoon sun over the valley (lot 18) and D’Arcy Doyle Daily chores (lot 124).
Clocks and clock sets include such beauties as a 19th century French three piece brass and hand painted porcelain panel timepiece with ormolu mounts (lot 23) and lot 410, a 19th century French ormolu wagon salon clock carrying a gentleman and child.
The fine quality pair of 19th century French gilt bronze figures of winged cherubs (lot 30) is a good example of the sculpture on offer, while Chinese porcelain figures of musicians and dancers (lot 35), the T. Somme 19th century French gilt bronze and ivory figure of a maiden strumming a harp (Lot 80), and the 19th century English Royal Worcester street vendor (lot 43) are bound to appeal.
Other auction highlights include an exceptional pair of early 19th century French ormolu and cut glass table candelabra (lot 81), a 19th century Italian carved gilt wood table (lot 84) and 19th century French ormolu centre piece containing an 18th century Chinese porcelain bowl (lot 111).
Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912) ivory netsukes are typified by lot 149 – man with a drum – and lot 140, a reclining buffalo and goat.
