Sterling silver a big auction attraction in Melbourne

Sterling silver from the reign of King George II to Queen Elizabeth II is a highlight of Melbourne-based Philips Auctions online Fine and Decorative Arts auction which ends from 9.30am on Monday February 24 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern.

A major lot amongst the items on offer is an 1850 Victorian sterling silver mounted ruby glass claret jug (lot 175), possibly made for the 1851 Great Exhibition, with a catalogue estimate of $15,000-$18,000.

Other silver items of note include a rare c1740 George II Scottish provincial “bullet” teapot (lot 177) bearing Alexander Forbes maker’s mark who was an active silversmith from 1828-1853 in Aberdeen.

An 1867 Victorian sterling silver wine ewer (lot 178) carries silversmith Charles Frederick Hancock’s mark and has strong equestrian connections through the cap and horn finial along with horseback fox hunting scenes engraved on the sides.

An art deco cold painted bronze figural group by Italian sculptor Salvatore Melani (lot 34) is a strong attraction from the sculptures up for grabs.

Born in 1902, Melani, who died aged 32, became famous for his bronze and chalkware plaster figurines and may have worked for Belgian manufacturer ARNOVA.

Several Ardmore Studio ceramics are in the sale including a masterwork “elephant and monkey” urn and cover (lot 343).

Fee Halsted established Ardmore Ceramic Art on Ardmore Farm in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains of KwaZulu-Natal where she lived after obtaining her Fine Arts Honours degree.

Here she met their housekeeper’s daughter Bonnie Ntshalintshali, whose polio affliction meant she was unable to work in the fields.

The two women quickly developed a synergy and, under Fee’s mentorship, Bonnie’s natural artistic skills blossomed.

Five years later, in 1990, the two women were jointly awarded the prestigious Standard Bank Young Artist Award, the first such artistic partnership to be recognised.

Success meant demand for ceramics for their exhibition, so Fee offered other local women the opportunity to train at Ardmore, producing pieces to generate income for the fledgling studio.

Through necessity, Fee developed an exuberant exotic style that has made Ardmore famous, breaking from ceramic norms of the time.

In the years since, despite several moves and the death of her close friend Bonnie, Fee has built the business into one that offers artists training, direction, materials, a studio and guaranteed market.

Ardmore artists have won numerous awards and exhibited both in South Africa and worldwide. They feature in leading galleries and collections including New York’s Museum of Art & Design and the Museum of Cultures in Basel, Switzerland.

Those auction goers looking for period furniture will find it difficult to bypass a circa 1940 Parisian art deco four-door sideboard made from are Macassar ebony wood (lot 544).

The separate modern and antique jewellery online auction, which also finishes from 9.30am Monday February 24, features many collectible pieces including an 18-carate gold triple row yellow and white diamond cluster line bracelet (lot 5) and an 18-carat gold solitaire bow styled diamond ring (lot 14) carrying a catalogue estimate of $15,000-$25,000.

Other jewellery attractions include an impressive cushion cut 155.36-carfat kunzite and diamond cluster (lot 159) and a pair of 14-carat gold antique chandelier style diamond long drop earrings (lot 215).