Bonhams will be auctioninga collection of the Dale Frank Collection of early Australian furniture on Sunday 20 November at the Byron Kennedy Hall, The Entertainment Quarter, Sydney. One of Australia’s leading artists with a distinguished international profile, his furniture collection once again highlights his artistic insights.
The collection has been formed over a seven year period and focuses predominantly on pre 1845 furniture. The sale will include 41 items of furniture and 6 items of Australiana and will be sold as part of Bonhams Spring Auction Series. A number of the lots are to be sold without reserve.
Items in the sale include: a rare cedar tea table, circa 1805, an important casuarina, beefwood and cedar chest of drawers attributed to Lawrence Butler, circa 1810, a rare cedar breakfast table circa 1820-25, a rare Cumberland action cedar dining table, circa 1825, a rare cedar sofa in the manner of George Smith, circa 1835, an exhibition burr musk, blackwood and cedar centre table, circa 1840, a pair of rosewood and cedar card tables by Charles Hunt, circa 1840 and an important pair of birds-eye huon pine half tester beds, circa 1873. With further examples by Andrew Lenehan and Joseph Sly and pottery by Grace Seccombe.
Due to current health issues and a reassessment of his collection Dale Frank has made available part of the Australian Colonial Furniture whilst he focuses on the renovation and restoration of Colonial properties and landscapes in New South Wales.
Viewing for the sale takes place from Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 November.