Drive to auction in a London taxi
Author: Richard Brewster | Posted: 12th November, 2015
A 1962 London Beardmore taxi – driven to the auction rooms by its 85-year-old owner who bought it in England 42 years ago – will be an interesting drawcard for Ballarat Woolshed Auctions (a subsidiary of Glenelg Auctions) from 11am Sunday November 15 at Ballarat Mill Markets 9367 Western Highway Warrenheip, Ballarat.
The auction contains an extraordinary range of items including a fine Judy Cassab self-portrait – the first to be offered since her death last week at age 95.
Cassab had an incredible life, surviving the Holocaust and Budapest siege while the rest of her family perished at Auschwitz.
Born Judit Kaszab in Vienna, she migrated to Australia in 1951 and artist won two Archibald Prizes and was famous for her portraits well-known identities.
Cassab held more than 50 solo exhibitions, in 1969 was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1988 and was awarded a Doctor of Letters from the University of Sydney in 1995.
Other artists represented in the auction include Sidney Nolan, Hugh Sawrey, David Boyd, Ernest Buckmaster, D’Arcy Doyle, David Bromley and Pro Hart.
Many beautiful furniture items have been placed in the auction from Ballarat families including a Huon Pine chest of drawers, a burr walnut cylinder secretaire bookcase from Ballarat furniture makers Steinfeld & Levinson, and a rare artist’s cabinet from a major Melbourne art supplier.
Four major dining tables are another highlight including a Victorian mahogany example that seats 14 and 1960s Jacob Rudowski that accommodates 20 people.
A 46-year-old private collection of Chinese and Japanese ceramics – including outstanding items from Ming Dynasty period – will be another reason for auction goers to attend this sale, along with English porcelain, bronzes, silver and jewellery.
Some of the more intriguing collectables include an early ‘Kooka’ stove, cast iron chaffcutter, meat safe cot, 1890s Richmond butchers scales, 19th century cast iron street lamps and fruitwood outdoor settings.
