Melbourne school teacher collection part of Christmas auctions

A former teacher at Melbourne private school Firbank Grammar, the late Jeanne Horton Grenville, loved 18^th century porcelain and was always on the lookout for more to complement her collection of George III and Regency furniture.

Now her collection will be auctioned from 12pm Sunday December 11 by Christian McCann Auctions at 7 Harper Street, Abbotsford.

The sale, which can be viewed from 10am-5pm Friday December 9 and Saturday December 10 at her Brighton home at 4 Thule Court, should grab porcelain collectors from lot 1 when a large English Bloor derby two handled lidded vase goes under the hammer.

An outstanding pair of 19^th century French Sevres lidded vases (lot 46) is another boom attraction – while a quality pair of 19^th century Chelsea lidded vases (lot 92) has to be seen to be believed.

Among her furniture collection is a fine 19^th century French bombe shaped kingwood commode (lot 3), with a superb 19^th century French marble and gilt bronze salon clock (lot 41) a major drawcard.

Those auction goers looking an English Regency candelabra should closely examine the gilt bronze example at lot 64 and among Jeanne’s art is Hugh Sawrey’s (1919-1999) oil on canvas entitled The Muster (lot 136).

In all, 295 lots from the Horton estate will be offered for sale – which will be followed from 3pm by the Christmas auction of decorative arts and jewellery at the same venue.

This features several paintings by major Australian artists such as Sir Arthur Streeton’s (1867-1943) Still Life with Chrysanthemum (lot 32), several works by David Boyd (1924-2011) including Blessing (lot 39), Kids in the Bush, the title given to both lot 44 and lot 84, and Jan Hendrik Scheltema’s (1861-1941) Girl with Cattle (lot 38).  

Among the porcelain is a large 19^th century lidded vase with gilt pelican handles (lot 37) – while lot 40 is an important 18^th century serpentine shaped cabinet with floral marquetry inlay, as a good example of the furniture to be obtained in the auction.

Another fine furniture piece is a 19^th century French single drawer boulle table with its original tooled leather top (lot 88), while lot 99 is a 19^th century French carved giltwood console table with rococo scroll decorations and lot 108 an 18^th century English nine-drawer mahogany kneehole desk.

Particularly attractive is the outstanding 19^th century French serpentine shaped kingwood centre table with detailed floral marquetry inlay on the top and sides (lot 128).

There are plenty of clocks on offer including a 19^th century French three-piece clock garniture with Sevres pillar supports and hand painted decorations (lot 46) and among the gorgeous jewellery is an 18-carat gold ring set with oval ruby eye (lot 320).