Submitted by aarAdmin on Fri, 12/06/2013 - 00:00
Buyers flooded Philips Auctions building for the last decorative arts sale of the year and, perhaps with a view to obtaining appropriate Christmas presents for loved ones, were desperately trying to outbid each other for many of the items on offer.
The auction started apace with vintage camera buffs vying for a 1936 Leica complete with Angenieux Paris lens that sold for $1298 including buyers premium (IBP) against an estimate of $300-$500 and never let up.
An intriguing Anglo-Indian rosewood jewellery box with several secret compartments and a hidden cobra to deter jewel thieves (and frighten auction viewers) realised $1062, well over the $800 upper estimate.
Quality antique ivory is obviously still sought after – with a pair of fabulous late Qing Dynasty emperor and empress figures changing hands for $6726 more than double the generous $2000-$3000 catalogue estimate.
Likewise, a rare Sevres gilt and floral plate, date marked 1829-30, sold for $307, well above expectations.
The finest painting in the auction – a superb 19th century watercolour A wet night by the seaside by British artist Keely Halswelle – changed hands for $1770, again more than double the catalogue upper estimate.
A standout in furniture was eh Victorian burr walnut games table which realised $2714 against a $1500-$1800 estimate.
With three of the largest diamond solitaire rings on offer in Melbourne and Sydney’s current round of jewellery auctions, Philips Auctions was hoping for a favourable result.
The company’s worries were unfounded as all rings sold either well in or well above catalogue estimates.
The largest of the solitaire diamonds – 8.88 carats – sold for $113,280 IBP (against an estimate of $90,000-$120,000), while the 6.25-carat diamond sold for $33,000 IBP ($20,000-$30,000 estimate).
The third stone, 4.30-carat diamond solitaire ring, changed hands for $44,480 IBP against a top estimate of $40,000.
Several stunning and uniquely designed gold and diamond pieces brought prices well above their reserves, along with a magnificent diamond and sapphire ring and an Akoya pearl, sapphire and diamond suite.
Jewellery department head Elizabeth Stannard said the auction results demonstrated a very strong market for unique and well crafted individually designed pieces and that buyers were keen on large, bright stones in bold settings.
Philips Auctions is looking forward to the opening of the 2014 auction season with several fabulous estate furniture items, a 90-piece single vendor Aboriginal art collection and a vibrant mid-19th century European collection of art glass and ceramics. The comapny's first auctions for the New Year will be February 16 and 17.
