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Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

Longcase Clock Achieves Auction Record at Bonhams & Goodman

Bonhams & Goodman salerooms were packed full throughout the entire auction of Fine Furniture and Decorative Arts held in Sydney on 9 May 2009. Bidding was competitive across the board with a range of desirable items, fresh to the market, on offer.

longcase-clock.jpgThe highlight of the sale was undoubtedly the early Colonial Australian cedar long case clock by James Oatley which sold for $336,000, smashing the previous Australian auction record achieved for a clock. This very important and desirable clock had been owned by the Badgery family since it was made by James Oatley in Sydney in 1820. Oatley is Australia’s most important early clock and watchmaker and is most well known for his longcase clocks. The clock was purchased by Martyn Cook Antiques of Sydney.

The Shorter Collection of Doulton was also highly prized with most pieces selling well over their estimates. A rare first edition Royal Doulton Captain Cook commemorative loving cup depicting Captain James Cook landing at Botany Bay sold for $7,680 with a pre-sale estimate of $3,000 – 5,000. The Shorter Family had been closely associated with the Doulton factories since 1892 and are attributed with expanding the market in fine art porcelain and ceramics in Australia.

Oriental pieces also sold very well, including the collection of Chinese snuff bottles from the Estate of the Late James Gleeson – one group of twelve was snapped up for $6,600 against a pre-sale estimate of $1,000 – 1,500. Another great result was achieved for a rare early jade circular disc which sold for $16,800, against a pre-sale estimate of $5,000 – 8,000.

Other highlights include a 19th century Australian rose mahogany and cedar four poster bed which quickly surpassed it’s $6,000 – 8,000 estimate, selling for $20,400. A beautiful Louis XV period kingwood and marble topped serpentine commode, part of a collection of 50 pieces from an important private Melbourne collection, sold at the top of it’s estimate for $60,000.

The sale sold 83.5% by value and achieved a total of $1,185,000 including Buyer’s Premium.

www.bonhamsandgoodman.com.au