White marble bust shows particular auction appeal

An unsigned sculptured white marble bust of a lady has particular appeal at E.J. Ainger’s forthcoming auction from 9.30am Tuesday March 21 at 433 Bridge Road, Richmond.

The bust joins seven life size bronze figures – bound to interest erstwhile collectors – along with the sculpture of an eagle and cement garden urns.

One of the more unusual aspects to this sale is a collection of about 40 New Guinea and Sepik River artefacts and carvings and an old industrial boot maker’s sewing machine.

Among the furniture is a particularly fine Victorian mahogany leather top library bookcase, a palatial mirror back sideboard and a rare Swiss spruce wood bear hallstand.

Other furniture items include a reproduction mahogany and leather top twin pedestal desk, a Victorian rosewood and inlaid display sideboard and a late 19^th century/early 20^th century Ed Sieler mahogany cased pianola.

A French Empire style commode, king size four poster mahogany bedstead, Australian blackwood sideboard, Korean chests and colonial pine are among other furniture items.

Estate paintings, watercolours and graphics that have been in the one East Melbourne family for more than 60 years – along with Persian city and tribal rugs – are another auction highlight.

The auction also contains a large selection of ceramics, glassware, oriental ceramic plaques, stamp albums, jewellery, sterling and plated silver, and sevral cased butterfly specimens.