Charles Blackman painting "gem" hits Melbourne auction scene
Author: Richard Brewster | Posted: 13th March, 2023
An unusual painting by Charles Blackman (lot 34) of one of his favourite subjects, Alice in Wonderland – entitled Face and Illusion – Alice 1966 – will be front and centre when Melbourne auctioneer Phil Caldwell begins his online two-part auction from 11am Sunday March 19 at 36A Hartnett Drive, Seaford.
“This is unusual because it is one of his early paintings of Alice – dating from 1966,” Phil explained.
The first part of the sale is devoted to important Australian investment art – assembled from long held collections and estates.
The second is items of interest from a mixture of estates, including an historic Brighton home, Hawthorn and Ivanhoe properties, and private collections.
Among the paintings are works by Robert Taylor Ghee (Mount Martha, Victoria – lot 44), Jan Hendrik Scheltema (Cattle Grazing in Landscape – lot 25) and Dora Wilson (Melbourne Street Scene – lot 5).
George Hyde Pownall has his own work with the same Melbourne Street Scene title (lot 43), while Hugh Sawrey is featured with Beef Tea (lot 40), David Boyd with Sailing Away (lot 46) and Kevin Charles (Pro) Hart with Insect (lot 67).
Other artists include Ernest Buckmaster, Cathleen Edkins, Clifton Pugh, David Bromley, Robert Dickerson, Leonard Long, Andris Jansons, and George Colville.
An exceptional George Owen Royal Worcester vase (lot 228) is a highlight of the second part – along with a pair of Harry Davis vases.
Other drawcards include a mammoth jaw table (lot 215), a mechanical orbit tellurian, a rare art deco hanging light (lot 202) and Russian silver pieces.
Auction goers also should be interested in a magnificent 19th century boulle card table, an original Coalbrookdale cast iron hallstand (lot 222) and a 17th century coffer.
Jewellery lovers will be impressed with the diamond, ruby, pearl and jade offerings (none kept on site) – while antiquarians can pour over the ancient Egyptian and Roman pieces up for grabs.
The auction will be conducted via absentee, phone or online bidding.
Viewing is either online or by appointment from Thursday March 16 until the auction.
