An auction yesterday at Bonhams & Goodman’s secondary Bay East Rooms in Waterloo performed exceedingly well. The marathon sale of over 1,350 lots started at 11am and concluded at 5:00pm.
The most notable highlight of the sale was undoubtedly a Grant Featherstone R160 Contour armchair with original upholstery c 1970. It made more than five times its high end estimate. Estimated at $800-$1200 the chair, an icon of 20th Century furniture design, made $7,800 which is thought to be a record for a Featherstone chair. The auction included many other lots of mid century modern furniture – all exceeded expectations.
Furniture sold well across the board. Other highlights included an early 20th century walnut roll top desk with rotating pedestal drawers. It fetched $4,560 against an estimate of $1,500 – 2,000. A set of eight 19th Century Australian cedar chairs sold for $2,040 and a Huon pine boardroom table with a set of twelve pine and leather chairs circa 1960 (ex Marine Board of Hobart) sold for $3,360 and a Baby Grand piano sold for $4,800.
Also included in the auction were many lots of orientalia, porcelain, miniatures and silver. There were many lots of jade – all from the one private collection. Lot 373, a cong in a green stone with brown suffusions, fetched $3,600 and lot 389, a disc in a grey and yellow stone with brown inclusions fetched $2,040. Lot 189, a portrait miniature of a lady holding a book sold well for $3,900. A pair of Royal Dux floor vases fetched $1,560.
A large collection of vintage clothing attracted strong bidding. 5 vintage day dresses sold for $540 and a box of vintage bags and shoes brought $600.
Moving the Bay East Interiors & Antiques auctions to Sundays appears to have paid off. Over 300 people registered to bid and many more left absentee bids. James Hendy, Manager of the Bay East rooms, commented, “The prices achieved reflect the great selection and condition of what was on offer. Mid century modern items continue to be the most sought after objects for young collectors”.
The next Bay East Antiques & Interiors Auction will be conducted on Sunday, 1 June 2008.
www.bonhamsandgoodman.com.au
