History all wrapped up in Melbourne auction

 For those auction goers who value history, a trip to Melbourne-based Christian McCann Auctions rooms at 7 Harper Street, Abbotsford to view his forthcoming sale from 12pm on Sunday May 1 is a must.

On display is the rarest English 18^th and 19^th century furniture from Queen Anne burr walnut to English Regency rosewood in an auction that offers valuable items at every turn.

Typical is the 19^th century satin wood davenport (lot 20), the outstanding Regency four tier mahogany whatnot (lot 24) and the George III mahogany and amboyna roll top writing desk (lot 25).  

Nineteenth century French antiques including marquetry inlaid cabinets, ormolu mounted boulle furniture and gilt mirrors are another feature along with 18^th century commodes and bergeres.

Good examples of these are seen in the important 18^th century carved Italian centre table with gilt cherub supports (lot 48), the French kingwood four-door credenza (lot 6) and the rare 18^th century bombe shaped three-drawer commode with Palisander knife-cut veneer (lot 169).

Porcelain lovers will be impressed by the museum quality Sevres, such as the pair of 19^th century French lidded vases (lot 134), and 18^th century Chinese blue and white creations with raised bird in bamboo landscape decorations (lot 47).

English and European sculptures such as the Austrian Viennese cold painted bronze showing a man seated under a tent (lot 35) figure prominently along with an Eastern bronze of two immortals (lot 40) and a 19^th century French bronze depicting a maiden seated in a boat at sea (lot 23).

Antique timepieces are another major drawcard with a rare Dutch walnut longcase clock complete with floral marquetry (lot 104) of great appeal. Other clock highlights include a 19^th century French three piece set of palatial proportions (lot 83) and a three piece Empire ormolu and bronze version (lot 21).

There also are terrific paintings by top Australian artists such as Tim Storrier, David Boyd, Hugh Sawrey, Pro Hart and Ernest Buckmaster.

Typical examples are Boyd’s Europa in Wilderness (lot 7) and Hugh Sawrey’s Outback Gathering (lot 68).