Submitted by aarAdmin on Tue, 12/17/2013 - 00:00
The quality of the stock combined with the in house setting was more than sufficient to have buyers rushing to E.J Ainger’s disposal of the prestigious Conroy collection in their Toorak home on December 8.
David and Judith Conroy were well known for their close friendship with antiques expert and dealer Bill Johnston, who appointed David executor of his will and trustee of the W.R Johnston Trust.
When Bill died suddenly in 1986 (aged76) while on a trip to India, David and co trustees established the Johnston House Museum in East Melbourne.
The auction contained many of the items the Conroys collected with Bill’s advice.
Some of the results were quite amazing. For example, a fine Regency style mahogany twin pedestal dining table made in 1960 from old Cuban mahogany for Mallets London brought $20,000 against a $1000-$1500 estimate.
Likewise, a George II mahogany Sheraton kneehole desk was knocked down for $7300, more than double the estimate.
Other prices were equally impressive. A pair of French 19th century table lamps fetched $2100 on a $400-$600 estimate and a Jacob petite vase and cover a $1100 ($200-$300).
Paintings also went well with James Alfred Turner’s Australia in the clearing going under the hammer for $7000 against a $4000 upper estimate and School of Sir Peter Lely Portrait of Lady Anne Montague selling for $18,500.
Many other lots sold well above estimate to very satisfied buyers.
