Eclectic mix in Mossgreen quarterly collectors auction
Author: Richard Brewster | Posted: 26th June, 2015
Mossgreen’s Quarterly Collectors Auction Series over two days from 10am Monday June 29 and 10am Tuesday June 30 is a an eclectic mix of general collectables, Chinese and Asian art, silver, Aboriginal tribal artefacts and artworks, military and maritime memorabilia, autographs, books, posters, musical recordings, furniture, cameras and photographic equipment, models and toy trains, paintings and jewellery.
The auction will be held at 926-930 High Street, Armadale and one of its main attractions is a Royal Doulton figurine entitled Princess Badoura.
Originally issued in 1952, this is one of Doulton’s most expensive pieces from their limited edition Prestige series with a retail price of $40,000.
Another is a Georgian tea caddy made from tortoise shell, silver and ivory and a fine Whitechapel bronze bell dated 1829 from the famous London foundry.
An 1887 Dieppe ivory figural carved triptych commemorating the coronation of Mary Queen of Scots should intrigue plenty of collectors, along with a 19th century classic bronze figure signed by H. Pecante and a 1920s art deco statue signed by Pucher.
Colourful is a 1920s French Limoges art deco fruit bowl signed by H. Marty and a Carlton Ware Rouge Royale ginger jar with a Foo dog finial.
The auction contains a large collection of taxidermy rugs and heads and a strong selection of Chinese and Asian art.
Among the silver is an Edwardian sterling silver two-handled cup engraved with a Victorian Cross and inscribed ‘Lieut. C.L. Smith V.C. a Son and Hero of Whippingham Parish’.
Brigadier General Clement Leslie Smith (1878-1927) was a lieutenant in the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry when he won his V.C. during the Boer War for helping to rescue a hospital assistant under intense fire.
In World War I, he helped form and command the Imperial Camel Corps Brigade – established in 1916 mainly from Anzacs who had served at Gallipoli.
The Corps was an integral part of the war in the Western Desert and was involved in the attack of Beersheba, and the Battles of Magdhaba, Romani and Gaza.
Among the military items is a rare 1840s German under and over flintlock cap with an unusual swivel barrel and an early 19th century pair of flintlock duelling pistols by Simmons of London in a fitted walnut case.
