Submitted by aarAdmin on Thu, 05/28/2015 - 00:00
A collection of Japanese ivory figures proved extremely popular with collectors and sold for four to five times its quoted value at Philips Auctions latest sale on May 17.
The collection belonged to the late Bonnie Knight, who had been collecting artefacts and jewellery since she was a teenager and viewed netsukes as her favourite items.
One of the figurines, depicting a couple making love, was the subject of a contentious indecency court case in the late 1980s after being part of an Erotica in Ivory exhibition at the former Jade Gallery in the Southern Cross Centre, demolished in 1999.
This particular figurine sold for $6960 (including buyer’s premium) on a $1000-$2000 catalogue estimate while other pieces in the collection fared equally well.
Typical was an early 20th century vintage signed figure of a man that changed hands for $5040, while a Meiji period (1868-1912) okimono of a man on a horse sold for $3600 on a $300-$500 estimate.
A “many faces” okimono featured in an $1800 turnaround, while two fine Japanese nude ivory ladies changed hands for $6240.
Other netsuke items of note included a further example Japanese nude ladies ($2880) and exceptional signed okimono depicting a seated man with baskets either side of him ($7440).
The Philips Auctions May sale was the best for some time in both decorative arts and jewellery, which was held the following day. Almost 250 bidders turned up on the day, with a further 200 on the phone and 140 absentee bids. Likewise, jewellery bidders turned out in force and results for both sales were better than 70 per cent.
Typical of results for the more unusual auction items included a pair of opera glasses, which sold for $1260, and a kangaroo clock that changed hands for $1800.
Two Japanese woodblock prints sold respectively for $660 and $960 while silver continued its strong auction presence.
A 56-piece Christofle cutlery service changed hands for $1680 and a pair of George III provincial sterling silver wine coasters brought $2400.
Likewise, a set of three embossed Victorian sterling silver gilt footed bowls sold for $6000 a George III neoclassical sterling silver ewer for $3600.
A Victorian breadbasket with decorative stand was another good result ($3840), while a sterling silver presentation tray changed hands for $2880.
Porcelain was another strong performer with both Carlton Ware and Moorcroft items faring particularly well – a striking “river fish” jug typical of the demand with its $1200 sale result.
German furniture that was part of the 1880 Melbourne exhibition also achieved good results – with four items selling for a total of $6480 against a $3000 quote.
Monday night’s jewellery auction was equally pleasing with a solitaire diamond dress ring changing hands for $21,600 and a diamond set bangle for $7400. Other good results included a solitaire diamond ring ($4680) and an aquamarine, diamond and pearl collier ($4800). A Rolex watch was a $15,600 auction purchase for the lucky buyer.
The June sale will feature French beds, boulle cabinet, antique French vitrines, clocks, ivory figures, and Waterford crystal – while the August sale will have a single owner collection of early Worcester, Bow and Derby porcelain.
