Bonhams forthcoming Australian Winter Auction Series offers a cornucopia of surprises and rare delights in every collecting arena which mirrors this company’s strong and diverse global presence. In the short space of a year, Bonhams’ has evolved its Australian team of sensitive, academically respected specialists with an impressive wealth of market expertise in all departments.
This Auction Series will open on Saturday 25 June with a full throttle roar of rare classic cars and automobilia. Somewhat quieter, but no less exciting is the sale of Fine Furniture, Decorative & Asian Art to be conducted on Sunday 26 June.
Bonhams’ sales are noted for their offering of diverse, rare and unique items of high quality, many of which are worthy of a place in public collections and institutions. This auction is just such an event. Its unique highlights mark over 150 years of Australian cultural history many of which have never been seen in the public arena or offered in the market place.
The earliest Australian item is an in tact copy of Volume I Number 1 The Sydney Morning Herald 1831 in very acceptable and readable condition. One of the most rare items of Australian to be offered is an important gold snuff box made from Australian gold which was presented to the Australian pioneer, William Robertson 1858 as a mark of tribute and appreciation for his contributions to Tasmania’s Colonial community. It is accompanied by original letters from the Tasmanian donors. William Robertson’s vision, courage and generosity underlay much of the development of the Tasmanian community and his impressive exploration expeditions opened up much of the Western District of Victoria. Other early Australian items include an impressive Colonial 1840s sideboard and a blackwood and casuarina tea table.
Among the items marking Australia’s 20th century official and unofficial history are the World War II medals of Squadron Leader B.L. Duigan Royal Air Force. As if by accompaniment is a rare Royal Doulton figure of The Digger, 1920.
Moving to the 1960s and 70s, Australia’s landmark building, the Sydney Opera House’s evolution is traced in a rare portfolio of photographs by Max Dupain and project construction documents of Tom Bishop of Baulderstone Hornibrook, builders of this iconic building. Also never before seen, let alone offered on the market, is a rare portfolio of correspondence, continuously spanning over twenty five years 1960-1987, of Patrick White, Australia’s only Noble Laureate for literature, to Marjorie Williams who was one of his closest confidantes. Just as rare and unique, but perhaps more light hearted is the Graham Kennedy Crown, 1969 and a Maud O’Reilly Australian pottery figure of Kookaburra, 1926.
Important items of international interest are a rare pair of Imperial Russian Vases in amethyst toned glass of exhibition proportions and an exquisite Art Deco bronze and ivory figure, The Torch Dancer by Ferdinand Preiss, 1925. Further to the East, there is rare Chinese jade and porcelain, Sino Tibetan bronzes and furniture. Japanese rare objets d’art range from fine ivories to Edo period Buddhist sculpture and Samurai armour. This sale provides collectors with a wonderful opportunity to acquire rare museum quality items from private collections which are estimated at remarkably affordable prices.
http://www.bonhams.com/australia
