Sterling silver to the fore in Melbourne auction
Author: Richard Brewster | Posted: 7th February, 2021
An unusual !9th century Indian Kashmir silver tea pot (lot 159) joins a collection of miniatures, Georg Jensen sterling silver and an 1859 American girandoles candelabra with lustres (lot 76) as strong attractions for Philips Auctions first decorative arts and jewellery sales for 2021 concluding from 12pm Monday February 22 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern.
While viewing for both auctions is live – from 9am-5pm Thursday February 18 to Friday February 19 and 12pm-5pm Saturday December 20 to Sunday December 21 while adhering strictly to Victorian Government COVID-19 protocols – the sales themselves will be conducted online.
The Kashmir teapot, with an $800 opening bid, is one of several interesting silver items that include a George III mustard pot (lot 158), a fan shaped letter holder (lot 160) and a pair of early Victorian paste stone shoe buckles (lot 157).
One of the most valuable sterling silver items in the sale is a fine Georg Jensen ‘poppy’ two branch candelabrum (lot 193) with an opening bid of $11,000 and the reserve price already met.
Another is a Victorian Renaissance revival centrepiece (lot 199) with a $1600-$2000 estimate.
Decorative arts manager Dennice Collett said typical of the 15 miniatures on offer was lot 46, a painting of the Virgin Mary and child, with an opening bid of $300.
“Others include a portrait miniature of Mary Stuart (Mary Queen of Scots) (lot 48) and a miniature painting of Venus (lot 54),” she said.
Two gilt bronze and ivory figures (lots 62 and 65) – a circa 1910 Dutch girl by Italian sculptor Joseph D’Aste (active 1905-1935) and a girl with a large umbrella after Demetre Chiparus (1886-1947) – are bound to attract plenty of attention.
Among the furniture on offer is a richly carved antique Chinese rosewood desk (lot 140) with a $1500-$2000 estimate while among the Australian art is an excellent Pro Hart painting depicting a mining scene (lot 313) – one of two by the artist in the auction – and Robert Dickerson’s My best friend (lot 333).
Jewellery highlights include a beautiful marquise cut jade and pave diamond dress ring (lot 1), a vintage diamond set spray style enhancer pendant (lot 23) and a delightful green enamelled diamond set gold frog brooch (lot 80).
