Superb art lover opportunities in single vendor auction

Philips Auctions has been asked to sell 58 indigenous artworks as part of a single vendor collection from the former South Melbourne-based Blue Door Gallery.

The auction will take place from noon Sunday July 27 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern and follows recent successes Philips Auctions has achieved with single owner Aboriginal art sales.

Blue Door Gallery started by chance 10 years ago when a lunchtime stroll by owner Steve Ralph resulted in the purchase of a small William Jangala King work as a birthday present for his then girlfriend (now wife) Rachael.

The South Melbourne gallery followed, stocked largely by works Mr Ralph sourced directly from many central Australian communities and artists – plus paintings from artists he hosted as artists-in-residence at the gallery.

As a result, he developed ongoing, personal relationships with artists such as Judy Watson Napangardi, Long Jack Phillipus, Pansy Napangati, William Sandy and Kathleen and Gloria Petyarre.

Recently, his wife was offered a significant role heading up HR in the United Kingdom for one of Australia’s largest and most successful consumer law firms – and the family has now moved to London.

While the collection is unreserved, its provenances are excellent and there are even photographic records of some of the works being prepared.

Philips Auctions has based its auction estimates on the experience of its previous sales and auctioneer Tony Philips says the paintings will appeal to investors, first time buyers and those looking for decorative art pieces for the home.

“These are well known and established Aboriginal artists from 10 to 15 years ago with good records of sales over that time,” he said.

The fine and decorative arts auction contains a range of items to interest auction goers.

Included are 21 clocks with two skeleton timepieces from the same vendor. There is a series of lights featuring a Napoleon III bronze ormolu chandelier and an American Duffner and Kimberly stained and leaded glass chandelier – the maker rivalling Tiffany for unusual creations from 1905-1911 before going out of business. 

The auction also contains several antique Korean ceramics from the 12^th century onwards, collected by a former Australian diplomat when he served in South Korea during the 1960s. Other interesting items are several pairs and groups of Georgian wine glass rinsers.

Among the furniture is an unusual 1850s Victorian colonial Padauk whatnot via Melbourne’s former Georges department store.

The following Monday night from 6pm, Philips Auctions will conduct a jewellery auction featuring a stunning tanzanite and diamond dress ring with a catalogue estimate of $8000-$12,000.

Other pieces bound to attract buyer attention include a five stone diamond ring, a large cabochon sapphire ring and a beautiful ruby and diamond set brooch.

A 14-carat gold believed to be Austrian snuff box and gold cigarette case of the same design are two other items to interest auction goers.