Swarovski crystal and potpourri vase to pull crowds at Melbourne auction

Swarovski lovers can once again be wooed by Melbourne-based Philips Auctions forthcoming Fine and Decorative Arts sale which features the balance of a massive collection of the popular crystal pieces more than 8000 in number.

The collection is contained between lots 44 and 149 and includes various paradise bird figurines such as roller birds (lot 105), blue jays (lot 108), Gouldian finches (lot 106), humming birds (lot 109) and kingfishers (lot 110).

The auction, together with its jewellery sale, will be held online ending from 9.30am Monday April 7 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern.

One of the auction’s major highlights is a 19^th century Meissen flower-encrusted potpourri vase with cover and stand (lot 320), painted on one side with Wattleauesque vignette and on the other with a Deutsche Blumen bouquet, and purchased in 2006 from Prague’s Andrle Antiques for USD $22,500. It carries a catalogue estimate of $9000-$12,000.

Other vases bound to attract attention include a pair of Chinese export famille rose beakers (lot 179), a Clair-de-Lune glazed dragon vase (lot 185), a famille rose red-ground Meiping (lot 189) and a blue and white double gourd (lot 186).

A superb Victorian steering silver five-piece tea and coffee service (lot 256) should interest silver lovers, while a fine Victorian inlaid walnut pier cabinet (lot 427) is among the furniture attractions.  

Paintings on offer include a Sir William Dargie (1912-2003) oil entitled Woman with Cigarette (lot 365) and a work by Hungarian artist Richard Geiger (1870-1945) (lot 366).

There is plenty of jewellery to whet appetites, particularly with Mother’s Day little more than a month away, including a pink sapphire and diamond line tennis bracelet (lot 17) and a cushion cut aquamarine and diamond on slit mount ring (lot 21).

A major jewellery feature is the multi fancy diamond set tassel pendant on diamond necklace (lot 69) with a $22,000-$32,000 catalogue estimate.

Multi fancy yellow and diamond set bracelet and tassel earrings (lots 70 and 71) are matching adornments.

A full claw set brilliant cut diamond bangle (lot 74) is worth close examination, along with a pair of classic diamond studs (lot 86).

The list of expensive jewellery continues with a diamond trilogy ring (lot 131), diamond line tennis bracelet (lot 144), diamond square link bracelet (lot 156) Tiffany style diamond necklace (lot 157) and an oval cut sapphire and multi diamond cluster dress ring (lot 161).

Of particular note is a trilogy sapphire and diamond ring set (lot 170) and vintage style cabochon cut emerald and diamond halo ring (lot 177).