Splendid auction items at McCann's new Melbourne premises

Christian McCann Auctions has coincided its move to new, larger premises at 7 Harper Street, Abbotsford with some of the best quality furniture and collectables to be auctioned in Australia for many years.

This is the modest claim of managing director Christian McCann who has selected the auction pieces from items consigned to the company over the past six months.

“The quality of these items is simply unsurpassed,” he said – looking forward to the sale from noon Sunday March 15 at the new premises.

“Many of the items are important 18^th and 19^th century antiques including an exceptional and rare 18^th century ebon verguano (lot 47) with a fully fitted interior of floral marble inserts, hand painted village scenes and hand carved lion mounts.”

One of the more important pieces is a signed oak cabinet by L’Excellent made for Chicago’s 1893 Columbian Exhibition to commemorate the 400^th anniversary of Christopher Columbus discovering America in 1492.

It sits comfortably alongside the must see 18^th century and other French commodes in the auction and a rare signed Kreiger bureau-plat.

Other outstanding furniture includes ormolu mounted boulle, gilt mirrors and a rare pair of Veni Martin vitrines.

An historically important palatial 19^th century Renaissance silver and gilt lidded vase (lot 180) shows Dianna the huntress and her dog supported by Satyr seated on a rocky mount.

The vase was presented to Charles du Cane, MP for North Essex, by his constituents and friends on his appointment as the Governor of Tasmania in 1868 – with words inscribed as such on the lower section.

Clocks are another important attraction, particularly to clock collectors who will be greeted with a fine array of 18^th and 19^th century timepieces including Boulle bracket and ormolu and Sevres salon clocks and clock garnitures.

There also is a rare French kingwood longcase and English lacquered grandfather clock that collectors cannot afford to miss.

Eighteenth and 19^th century porcelain is a major drawcard with a fine collection of 18^th century Sevres and Royal Worcester, Royal Vienna, KPM and Dresden from which to choose.

Chinese porcelain and jade also is up for grabs including an exhibition pair of Chinese vases and carved jade seals among the treasures.

Art by many of Australia’s leading artists – including Hugh Sawrey, David Boyd, George Lambert, Ray Crooke and Hans Heysen – adds another dimension of interest to the sale.