Heritage listed home auction venue for fine antiques

Heritage listed historic Ballarat home “Clowance” at 518 Barkly Street will be the venue for Glenelg Auctions sale of superb antiques and art from 11am Sunday November 2.

Built in 1892-3 for then Ballarat mayor and goldmine owner Isaiah Pearce and owned until recently sold by Dr Michael Stubbs, the home is historically significant because it is an innovative example of a transitional design between Victorian and Federation styles.  

Many of the original features – including marble entrance, fireplaces, ceilings and cornices – remain and the previous owners spent 10 years restoring the home before Dr Stubbs bought it in 2010.

Dr Stubbs had been an avid collector of antiques and art for many years but did not have a house in which to showcase them until he purchased Clowance.

“The house brought the furniture to life and the furniture has brought the house to life in a way,” he told the Ballarat Courier on January 10 this year.

Interestingly, the wife’s bedroom contains one of the first built-in-robes in Australia – installed after a freestanding wardrobe fell on Pearce’s wife, inflicting injuries from which she died a few days later.

The auction contains a magnificent mahogany mirror back sideboard and dining setting for 12 along with an interesting Murano chandelier and a rare pair of Moore Bros lamps.

Unusual is the antique world globe, alabaster figure and comprehensive porcelain range of vases including Royal Worcester, Dresden, Sevres and Carlton Ware.

The auction also has rare Chinese antiquities, glass, rugs, clocks, cellared wine, pottery and cast iron garden items and effects.

The Australian art collection includes works by Fred Williams, Sidney Nolan, Russell Drysdale, J.A. Turner, Louis Buvelot, John Olsen, Arthur and David Boyd, John Perceval, Charles Blackman, Hugh Sawrey, Ray Crooke and Charles Dickerson.