Melbourne interior designer picks his favourite auction items

Well-known Melbourne interior designer Toni Maticevski has picked his eight favourite items (displayed at the front of the catalogue) from Mossgreen’s latest Interior Design auction from 6pm Tuesday March 28 at 926-930 High Street, Armadale.

Maticevski’s genius for design has resulted in his label becoming known and stocked internationally in the best boutiques and department stores and his works represented in the National Gallery of Victoria, Powerhouse Museum Sydney, the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles and numerous private collections.

A recent retrospective of his work, Dark Wonderland, was on show at the Bendigo Art Gallery in Victoria.

In making his selection from the Interior Design No. 9 auction, Maticevski considered items he would buy for his home or office.

He also considered how they would fit with possessions he already has and how they would compliment or enhance them.

The first item Maticevski chose was an 1844 stamped English brass and turned wood iron because of its weight (which identifies with his craft and work) and the fact it is gold.

A 1970s Italian chrome and brass glass top table was selected for the delicacy of the glass framing and contrasting gold metal panelling, while a set of three 1950s French chocolate brown leather and wrought iron saddle bar stools were chosen for their industrial feel.

Twentieth century Italian Murano glass wall lights appealed for their seeming invisibility and light reflective qualities and a set of French champagne buckets dating from the 1920s for their individual character.

The remaining three items include a pair of quality Japanese Satsuma gilt and bronze mounted vases from the Meiji period (1868-1912) that, according to Maticevski, make a statement in their beauty and presence – and a circa 1900 Venetian ornate cut and etched glass oval wall mirror, with which he has always been fascinated.

The final item is a circa 1900 French silver plated rectangular twin bottle champagne cooler – selected for its storage capabilities and decorative appeal.

Other items in the sale include a circa 1810 French Empire ormolu mounted mahogany circular centre table and Russian artist Serge Kislakoff’s painting entitled Paris Market Scene signed and dated 1897.