Faberge tie clip among rare Melbourne auction drawcards

A rare Faberge tie clip (lot 17) and a magnificent French Japanese style silver, niello and enamel comport (lot 20) are among major drawcards at Leski Auctions first auction for 2020 from 1pm Saturday February 22 at 727-729 High Street, Armadale.

The two-day sale, which continues at 10am the next day, features a huge selection of international decorative arts including ceramics, paintings, decorator pieces and glassware.

A Mexican sterling silver five piece coffee and tea service (lot 79) and a “Sir Christopher” pattern American sterling silver cutlery service by Wallace (lot 84) are among the highlights.

Collectors will be particularly impressed with the Hugo Lonitz Prussian majolica owl (lot 128) and the Paul Sormani writing compendium (lot 129).

The offered Moorcroft collection (lots 155-190) has to be seen to be believed, while Paul Philippe’s gilt bronze sculpture on a rouge marble base (lot 192) is an absolute treasure.

A Daum cameo glass vase with French silver mount and gilt rim (lot 223) would complement any collection, according to auctioneer Charles Leski – as would an impressive antique coromandel and satinwood games box (lot 263).

The catalogue front cover – a circa 1797 museum quality Ozias Humphrey (1742-1810) – ivory triptych (lot 272) with the central panel (after William Beechey) showing King George III and the Prince of Wales reviewing the troops.

Portraits of Queen Charlotte and a seated George (after Zoffany circa 1771) adorn each side panel.

A diverse range of Chinese and other Asian decorative arts (lots 407-473) kicks off day two, with jewellery, watches (lots 474-503) and lamps, lighting and furniture (lots 504-698) to follow.

Of particular note is a finely worked silver and carved jade panels Sino-Tibetan teapot (lot 440), a painted Japanese cloisonné koi panel box (lot 453) a delicate white gold tennis bracelet with 50 diamonds (lot 477), a north Italian collector’s cabinet (lot 535) and a pair of Italian Blckamoor pedestals (lot 557).

Also featured is an unusual pair of A.M.E. Fournier French commodes and dressing mirrors (lots 596 and 597).

Inveterate clock collectors and even beginners will be impressed with the range of timepieces (lots 733-811) – while a rare piece of Judaica (lot 816) by Abraham ben Shalom Belais (1773-1853) and Lazare Eliezer Wogue (1817-1897) that was published in 1838 is another extraordinary find.

An interesting range of early cameras and lenses should bring more auction goers keen to add to their collections – along with a diving helmet (lot 855)  and miniature portable dental and medical sets (lots 878 and 879).