Collectable sterling silver a Melbourne auction highlight
Author: Richard Brewster | Posted: 15th May, 2023
Quality collectable sterling silver is a highlight of Melbourne-based Philips Auctions forthcoming timed online auction finishing from 10am Monday May 15 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern.
The silver is particularly notable for two 1836 pieces by famous London silversmith Paul Storr (1770-1844) – both William IV period – one a coffee pot (lot 140) and the other a teapot (lot 141).
Working in neoclassical and other styles, Storr was England’s most celebrated silversmith during the first half of the 19th century and his pieces currently adorn royal palaces and stately homes throughout Europe.
So prominent was he that both King George III and King George IV purchased much of his work and in 1799 he created a “Battle of the Nile” cup for presentation to the British fleet commander Admiral Lord Nelson.
A George III sterling silver tray and five-piece tea service (lot 144), respectively made in 1790 by London’s Elizabeth Jones and Henry Chawner and John Emes, is another important lot with a $13,000-$15,000 catalogue estimate.
A pair of 1772 George III sterling silver goblets from Dublin silversmith R. Williams (lot 137) also is bound to attract plenty of attention.
Led by prominent French sculptor Demetre Chiparus’s (1886-1947) circa 1925 bronze and ivory figural group entitled “Les Amis de Toujours” (lot 74) with a catalogue estimate of $23,000-$28,000, the auction contains a significant selection of art deco spelter works.
From a deceased estate comes a collection of 76 Lladro pieces (lots 186-222) including a “little explorer” figurine (lot 194) and “sleepy scholar” figure (lot 200).
Among the paintings on offer are a couple of John Lennox (1941-1996) works entitled Horse and Carriage (lot 310) and Inverted Nudes (lot 311), and Delvyn Palace 1995 (lot 315) by Australian indigenous artist Queenie McKenzie (1930-1998).
Impressive furniture includes a circa 1900 Louis XV style inlaid kingwood commode (lot 400) among several Cherrywood tables and chairs, partners desks and display cabinets.
For jewellery lovers, a stunning vintage French diamond encrusted rose brooch (lot 79) could make a perfect although slightly belated Mother’s Day present along with a unique amethyst diamond and gold abstract collier (lot 94).
A vintage cocktail diamond and sapphire set collier (lot 96) is another strong attraction – while a quality solitaire diamond ring with a 1.51-carat central stone (lot 48) is not to be overlooked, nor a pair of fine quality brilliant cut diamonds (lot 169).
