Faberge silver elephant a great auction investment

A turn of the 20^th century Russian silver and gem set elephant match holder by Faberge from St Petersburg (lot 177) and belonging to a former Carlton Australian Football League club president will be the highlight of Philips Auctions forthcoming decorative arts sale from noon Sunday March 24 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern.

The vendor acquired the elephant, complete with the work master Julius Rappoport’s initials, in the late 1980s from Christie’s in London and at a catalogue estimate of $15,000-$20,000 it is a great investment piece, according to Philips Auctions director Tony Philips.

There are several other sterling silver items in the sale worthy of note including a post-1945 five-piece Georg Jensen tea and coffee service designed by Harald Nielsen (lot 176) and an 1874 Victorian neoclassical style covered cup by Robert Hennell (lot 186).

A fine pair of 1911 Sheffield sterling silver arts and crafts candlesticks by James Dixon & Sons (lot 185) and a 1964 heavy gauge four-piece sterling silver tea service (lot 187), both from the one family, are other attractions.

A 1925-1930 Royal Doulton changware dragon vase by Charles Noke and Harry Nixon will have collectors rubbing their hands in anticipation of Sunday’s sale.

Very rare and in beautiful condition, the last one appeared 20 years ago at a Sotheby’s auction with a catalogue estimate of $5000-$10,000 – so at $3000-$6000 this one errs on the conservative side.

Nine works (lots 256-269) by English-born Australian artist Andrew Sibley (1933-2015) are another auction highlight.

Sibley migrated with his family to Australia in 1948 where they lived and worked on an orchard in the rural town of Stanthorpe, Queensland.

He commenced his formal painting career during the 1950s in Brisbane alongside such notable Australian artists as Ian Fairweather, Charles Blackman, Clifton Pugh, John Molvig and Roy Churcher.

Exhibiting consistently both national and internationally from his early success in the 1960s, Sibley is represented in all major national, state and regional collections throughout Australia – as well as in private collections in Australia, Europe, Asia and the United States.

The auction paintings belong to a public trustee client who was close friend of the artist.

Another auction attraction is the exceptional glassware including two early 1900s cameo vases by Emile Galle (lots 213 and 221).

The jewellery auction, from 6pm Monday March 25, is a must for jewellery lovers.

 Offering a fantastic and comprehensive range of items, two in particular stand out. One is lot 5 – a 5.37-carat blue and pink sapphire and diamond ring – and the other a necklace of Tahitian pearls (lot 131) estimated at $25,000-$30,000.