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Exceptional in Australia — Artvisory

Auction House:ArtvisoryNumber of lots recorded:45
Sale Title:Exceptional in AustraliaLots with images:45
Auction Location:MelbournePrices available:33
Date:19-Sep-2023
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A very beautiful and intricately painted Tuscan two-section four-door cupboard, Italian 18th century. Provenance: John Dunn Antiques Melbourne. ( AUD$40,000.). A distinguished private collection, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Dimensions: 186 cm wide, 216 cm high, 67 cm deep
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A fabulous pair of polychrome painted, carved and gilt walnut throne chairs. Tuscan 18th/19th century. Provenance: John Dunn Antiques ( $24,000). A distinguished private collection, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Dimensions: 140 cm high, 68 cm wide, 64 cm deep
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A unique pair of unpublished 35 mm slides of the Beatles when they visited Melbourne in 1964, outside the Southern Cross Hotel where they appeared as a band of five, with the stand-in drummer Jimmy Nichol. sold with reproduction copyrights. Provenance: The collection of the photographer's son who has kindly provided the following history to these unique images: 'My father was a photographer and only happened to have his camera with him when the Beatles arrived because my sister's 21st birthday was held in…
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An outstanding set of eight George III Hepplewhite mahogany dining chairs. English circa 1780. Provenance: Partridge, New Bond Street, London circa 1986. These wonderful chairs would rank as perhaps the finest examples of their kind to have been offered for auction in Australia. Their design closely follows a design in Hepplewhite, The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Guide of 1794 ( Plate 5,fig. 4) Everything about the design of these chairs is harmonious, from the way the back-splats interlace and entwine…
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A pair of exceptional carved and gilt-wood armchairs, English, circa 1820. English circa 1820. Provenance: From the collection of the trustees of the 10th Duke of Argyll Inveraray Castle Scotland. Partridge, New Bond Street, London circa 1986. The Estate of Judith and Bruce Terry, Teychell, 16 Moule Avenue Brighton Victoria. Australia. Partridge noted in 1986, that these chairs formed part of a suite recorded as being re-upholstered in 1871, when the 9th Duke married H. R. H. Princess Louise Caroline…
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A pair of carved gilt-wood side-chairs, ensuite to the previous lot. English circa 1820. Provenance: The 10th Duke of Argyll Inveraray Castle Scotland. Partridge, New Bond Street, London circa 1986. The Estate of Judith and Bruce Terry, Teychell, 16 Moule Avenue Brighton Victoria. Australia. Partridge noted in 1986, that these chairs formed part of a suite recorded as being re-upholstered in 1871, when the 9th Duke married H. R. H. Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, 4th daughter of Her Majesty Queen…
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A very rare and superb solid malachite and gilt-bronze embellished centre table, Russian, mid 19th century. Provenance: Acquired from Alexander and Berendt, 1A Davies Street Berkeley Square, London W1- in 1981. The Estate of Judith and Bruce Terry, 16 Moule Avenue Brighton Victoria, Australia. Following Russia's victory over Napoleon in 1812, there was a new mood in Russia, one of celebration and self-confidence. It was this mood which eventually found its way into the world of decorative arts, as…
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A rare and opulent solid malachite and gilt-bronze mounted armchair. Russian 19th century. Provenance: Acquired in 1981 from Alexander and Berendt, 1A Davies Street Berkeley Square, London W1. The Estate of Judith and Bruce Terry, 16 Moule Avenue Brighton Victoria, Australia. Following Russia's victory over Napoleon in 1812, there was a new mood in Russia, one of celebration and self-confidence. It was this mood which eventually found its way into the world of decorative arts, as innovative architects and…
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An exceptional marquetry and parquetry inlaid mahogany breakfront library bookcase, English circa 1785. Provenance: Apter Fredericks, London, presumably acquired in mid 1980's or earlier as this bookcase is recorded in a Leonard Joel insurance valuation in 1988, ( Recorded as K Fredericks but presumably A ( Albert) Fredericks, later called Apter-Fredericks) but unfortunately no purchase invoice now exists. The Estate of Judith and Bruce Terry, Teychell, 16 Moule Avenue Brighton Victoria, Australia. This…
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A pair of very fine quality gilt-bronze and bronze candelabra, attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843), French, early 19th century. Provenance: Partridge, New Bond Street, London, circa 1986. The Estate of Judith and Bruce Terry, Teychell, 16 Moule Avenue Brighton Victoria, Australia. These extraordinary candelabra display a myriad of Classical symbolism, so popular in France during the Empire period. The central figures, with arms up-stretched, possibly represent Aphrodite, the ancient Greek…
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A very rare Louis XV period table-de-nuit in kingwood, rouge marble and gilt-bronze. French circa 1750. Provenance: The collection of Baroness and Lord Burton. Partridge, New Bond Street, London circa 1986. The Estate of Judith and Bruce Terry, Teychell, 16 Moule Avenue Brighton Victoria, Australia. Exhibited: Birmingham City Art Gallery for 35 years until circa 1980. Dimensions: 81 cm high, 49 cm wide, 36 cm deep
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A pair of finely gilded and painted Paris porcelain vases, painted with landscapes, fowl, a fox and gun-dogs. French Empire period, circa 1820, with a combination of high-burnished and matt gilding. Provenance: Partridge, New Bond Street, London circa 1986. The Estate of Judith and Bruce Terry, Teychell, 16 Moule Avenue Brighton Victoria, Australia. Dimensions: 43 cm high
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A superb George III inlaid mahogany serpentine-sided partners-desk, attributable to Thomas Shearer, English, circa 1780. Provenance: Sand Hutton Hall, near York. UK. The Estate of the late Major Sir Robert James Milo Walker, Bart. Middlethorpe Lodge, previously of Sand Hutton, Yorkshire. The collection of Sir Keith Murdoch Melbourne. See online image of Sir Keith seated at this desk. Acquired by Dr. E Graeme Robertson Melbourne at the auction of the Estate of Sir Keith and Lady Murdoch, March 1953, lot 70…
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A pair of Fine George III satinwood and marquetry inlaid bergere chairs, English circa 1785. Provenance: Martyn Cook Antiques, Sydney. ( Acquired for AUD$16,000). Private Collection Sydney. Dimensions: 83 cm high, 56 cm wide, 52.5 cm high
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A pair of fabulous English specimen-marble and gilt-wood neo-classical console tables, English 19th century. Provenance: Martyn Cook Antiques. Sydney. Private Collection Melbourne. Dimensions: 125.5 cm wide, 52.5 cm deep, 87 cm high
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A fine bronze and marble bust of Pietro Calvi's: The Moor of Venice. Pietro Calvi was born in Milan and studied at the Milan Academy, training under the renowned sculptor Giovanni Seleroni. It was under Seleroni's guidance that Calvi developed the outstanding sensitivity and refinement that became the hallmark of his modelling. Calvi relished working in bronze and marble, often combining the two materials to create the most striking and effective results. This style is reminiscent of another 19th century…
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A Carrara marble figure of Ariadne on the Panther Italian 19th century 61 cm high, 54 cm wide, 20 cm deep After Johann Heinrich von Dannecker, Stuttgart (1758-1841 ). Ariadne, the daughter of the King Minos of Crete, having helped Theseus, whom she loved, to escape from the labyrinth, was in turn abandoned by him on the island of Naxos. Bacchus rescued her, consoled her and soon they were married. The vine wreath in Ariadne's hair alludes to her union with Bacchus, the God of Wine, as does the panther…
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A pair of extraordinary ormolu candelabra. French 19th century. Provenance: The private collection of Violet Duleau, South-Yarra galleries, Melbourne. Gifted to Private Collection Melbourne. Then gifted to our current vendor, Melbourne. These extraordinary candelabra are a fantasy of design with their mythical dragon like sea-creatures which writhe in battle with sea serpents and which are surrounded by superbly cast giant clam shells. The columns are formed of a mass of flowers that pop-out everywhere,…
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An outstanding pair of crystal and bronzed metal twelve branch flower-head and foliate design chandeliers. attributed to the the house of Bagues, Paris, circa 1950. Founded in Auvergne, France, in 1840 by Nicolas Bagues, the company originally specialized in the creation of liturgical bronzes. Thanks to Bagues' expansion into bronze lighting and the popularization of electricity, the business quickly found success. At the turn of the century, their chandeliers captured international interest, and soon…
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A fine William Morris Hammersmith carpet, after a design by William Morris and John Dearle, Merton Abbey Works, English, Circa 1889, enclosing stylised tulips extending into the field. A stylised vine and flower meander fills the the main sea-green border. This striking carpet, designed by William Morris and his chief assistant, John Henry Dearle, was one of three new designs for 'Bullers Wood House' in Chislehurst, Kent. The interior decoration of 'Bullers Wood' in 1889 was one of Morris & Co. 's most…
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A finely carved and beautiful pale pink sandstone figure of Jina Mahavira, Madhya Pradesh, Indian, 12th century CE. Provenance: Private collection, South Australia. Reference: Pratapaditya Pal Jain art from India-The Peaceful Liberators' p140. for a similar example. At the age of 30, Mahavira renounced worldly life and became an ascetic. For the next 12 years, he led a life of penance and meditation. He was credited to have conquered his desires and thus came to be known as 'Jina' or the conqueror. His…
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A rare and bold large flat-woven blue ground rug or hanging, Daghestan, Caucasus, Second half of the nineteenth century. wool warp and weft, . This type of weaving is characteristic of nineteenth-century village production in mountainous northern Daghestan. Produced by Kumik, Avar and Dargin peoples, the weavings were intended covers for a long bench or floor and could also be used hung horizontally as a decorative wall hanging, sometimes covering more than one wall of a room in a small village house. This…
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A beautiful and sensual carved pink sandstone figure of a Yakshi, Northern India, Kushan Period, 2/3rd century CE. Provenance: Private collection, South Australia. In Hindu and Buddhist art, auspicious female nature spirits, symbolic of fertility and abundance. Yakshis are typically depicted as beautiful and voluptuous, with wide hips, narrow waists, and exaggerated, spherical breasts. Yaksha and Yakshi have a special place in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. In Hindu mythology, these nature-spirits are…
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An imposing polychrome painted and carved wood figure of a saint. French, 17th/18th century. Provenance: Private collection, South Australia. This fine and highly expressive figure has great presence and would have been created by a skilled artist, who understood the challenges of creating such sculptures in wood, which were then decorated with surface paint and in this case gilding, which sets this example ahead of many, as the technique of gilding was always more complex and expensive than polychromy…
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A very fine and beautiful silk-velvet Ikat robe, Central Asian, last quarter nineteenth century. mounted on linen and stretched on a frame. Central Asia is renowned for its textiles ranging from appliques in wool, silk and cotton, embroidered hats and accessories, suzani wall hangings and covers, and vibrant ikat cloth fashioned into distinctive clothing. Of all the luxurious fabric produced in nineteenth-century Central Asia, it is the silk-velvet ikat produced in the Silk Road trading centres of…
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A finely carved tall sandstone figure of Surya (The Sun God), Northern India, 12th century CE. Provenance: Private collection, South Australia. Surya is the sun as well as the solar deity in Hinduism. He is traditionally one of the major five deities in the Smarta tradition, all of whom are considered as equivalent deities in the Panchayatana puja and a means to realise Brahman. The iconography of Surya is often depicted riding a chariot harnessed by horses, often seven in number, which represent the seven…
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A fine and large Tekke-Turkoman carpet, Central Asia, mid to late-nineteenth century. wool warp and weft, wool knotted pile. Of all the Central Asian carpets exported to the West, those of the powerful Tekke tribe of Turkoman nomads are perhaps the best known and most widely sought after by collectors. Their designs have been copied on numerous modern reproductions of Turkoman carpets at the same time as the genuinely old and beautiful examples such as this example have become increasingly rare. The field…
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An exceptionally fine quality ormolu mounted onyx centrepiece, French circa 1880. For an identical example form the same Paris workshop see Sotheby's New York 15 April 2008 Lot 496. Estimated at US$15,000-20,000 but sold for US$37,000. This urn shaped centrepiece has exceptionally fine quality ormolu and gilt bronze mounts and would have been made by one of the finest makers in Paris of the time. It's form and it's decoration is Neo- Classical, with satyr masks to the three uprights and bold acanthus…
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An intricately carved and turned folding three-part screen (mashrabiya) with mother-of-pearl inlay. early-twentieth century, Cairo or Damascus. The term mashrabiya has traditionally been used to describe latticed screens made of finely turned wood used to cover windows in Egypt and elsewhere in North Africa, the Levant, Iran, Iraq and in Malta. Usually made of pine, walnut or beech wood, the decorative structures covered the windows or were used as an architectural element that projected from the upper…
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A wonderful quality George II mahogany birdcage and pillar table. English circa 1740. Provenance: Partridge London. Private Collection, Regional Victoria. This tea table is an English design classic with wonderful restraint of decoration having a column form pedestal and acanthus capped cabriole legs and a birdcage action for the release of the tilting top. This table is made from mahogany of the finest quality that would have been available at the time. For two fine pie-crust tables also with provenance…
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A fabulous George 1 walnut and 18th century tapestry wing-back armchair. English circa 1725. This wonderful wing armchair which the current private vendor acquired from the prestigious antiques dealership of John Dunn Antiques of Melbourne, dates from the end of the 'Age of walnut' furniture in England, around the first quarter of the 18th century. It is covered in exquisite 18th century Flemish tapestry, which is an extremely expensive and luxurious choice of upholstery. As is often the case with the best…
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An intricately carved x pattern chair, with Arabic script and mother-of-pearl inlay, Cairo or Damascus, circa early 20th century. This handsome chair is in excellent condition and is extensively carved in the orientalist style with calligraphic inscriptions and inlaid in some sections with mother-of-pearl. There is a small mashrabiya panel of finely turned hardwood in the centre of the back and the armrests curve smoothly at the front. Provenance: Purchased in London 1990's; thereafter in a private…
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A stunning Kaitag embroidery, Daghestan, Caucasus, eighteenth century. Kaitag embroideries made in the mountainous villages of Daghestan in the Caucasian Mountain region show designs that are varied and reflect the area's long history of invasion by and eventual intermarriage with outside groups. Paganism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam have all been practised in Daghestan over the centuries and the designs seen in the artworks of the region have sometimes also incorporated motifs from the…
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A stunning Kaitag embroidery, Daghestan, Caucasus, eighteenth century, silk on cotton, mounted on a stretch frame. Kaitag embroideries were made in the mountainous and sometimes inaccessible villages of Daghestan in the Caucasian Mountain region where the modern-day borders of Russia, Turkey and Iran now provide artificial barriers between a wide range of ethnic and language groups. The Kaitag people were active producers of these traditionally designed and dramatically coloured textiles during the…
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A wonderful and large carved and beautifully aged figure of Kubera (God of Wealth), Southern India, 14th-17th century CE. Provenance: Private collection, South Australia. Kubera also known as Kuvera, Kuber and Kuberan, is the god of wealth, and the god-king of the semi-divine yakshas in Hinduism. He is regarded as the regent of the north (Dikpala), and a protector of the world (Lokapala). His many epithets extol him as the overlord of numerous semi-divine species, and the owner of the treasures of the…
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A superb set of four Belle Epoque cast stucco figures of Cupid and Psyche. signed A. Lavoisier, French, late 19th century. Provenance: Private collection South Australia. acquired from large house in Antwerp, Belgium. A pair of almost identical examples were sold: Christies, New-York, April 20, 2010. Lot 83 estimated at US$10,000-20,000 but sold for US$105,500. The incredible figures were most likely created as architectural features for a grand French interior, where they would have formed part of the…
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A very rare pair of 'battlement' border tiles with reciprocal trefoil design. Ottoman-era Damascus, circa 1575. A wide variety of tiles are used in the decoration of Islamic architecture in all its forms. Traditions of tile-making throughout the Islamic world range from glazed brick decoration to cut-tile mosaics and brilliantly coloured glazed ceramic tiles that protected the exterior of some buildings and lavishly decorated the interiors of palaces, mosques and tombs. During Ottoman rule (1517–1918) of…
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An illuminated Qur'an with painted and varnished covers, dated 1851, Qajar-era (1789–1925) Iran, A complete copy of the Qur'an, written in Arabic in Naskh script on handmade paper, 302 leaves. The manuscript is dated 1851 and signed by the calligrapher, Mahmod Ebn Akhond Mola Hossaine Kermanshahi. It is extensively illuminated in natural pigments and gold. There is extensive marginal annotation in refined script. The covers are the outstanding feature of the manuscript. They are in excellent condition, and…
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A unique and important silver-gilt prize-fighters belt presented to the champion boxer James ( Jem) Mace. Australian, late 19th century. the central section cast in relief with the figure of a pugilist, flanked by ribbon bound. columns within further hinged panels with the Royal and the Australian Arms, with ribbon inscribed: Presented to ( James Mace) Champion of the World, by his Australian Friends and Admirers, with bullion thread embroidered velvet extensions, further embellished within bossed…
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An exceptionally rare and early Meissen white porcelain and gilt figure from the Italian Commedia dell'arte, El Capitan, German circa 1720 and Augsburg-gilded soon thereafter. modelled as a standing man in contrapposto pose, wearing elaborate costume with feathered hat, a staff in one hand, a tree-trunk at the rear, set on a square concave sided low plinth, with one foot protruding off the edge; decorated with gilt details including hat, belt, stripes to the pantaloons, staff, garters, and base plinth.…
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An extraordinary gilt-gesso wall mirror celebrating the 16th century victory over the Turks/Ottoman Empire. Venetian, first half of the 19th century or earlier. Dr Susan Scollay – on the Venetian/Ottoman rivalry. The Republic of Venice enjoyed robust trade in luxury goods with the Ottoman Empire at the same time as they were engaged in military conflict with their eastern Muslim rivals. Both economic and political powers were seeking domination of ocean trade in the Mediterranean Sea. Their skirmishes…
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An superb set of twelve cast silver-gilt Harlequin spoons and scissor-nips. London 1812 makers mark of William Barrett II. modelled as Harlequin figures in quilted comedian dell'arte costumes, each grasping a snake forming a hoop above their heads, their feet mounted on the spoon bowl with scallop shell reverse. Housed in a leather box, with Royal Warrant & retailers label 'Chap Williams & Co / Late / Catchpole & Williams / Jeweler's / Diamond Dealers / Silversmiths / 223 Oxford Street'. This address &…
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A very rare gilt-copper repousse panel of St John preaching in the wilderness', German or Netherlands, late 16th-early 17th century. the panoramic landscape with St John, lamb and the cross to the centre, surrounded by a crowd of spectators all dressed in 16th-17th century clothes including distinct hats and boots, a small child with a dog on a leash to one side pulling back a curtain to see, the background with varied trees including a palm, a rugged rocky outcrop to the left with many small distant…
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A very rare James II or William and Mary period olive-wood and holly lace-box. English, late 17th century. Provenance: Alexander George Antiques London. Jason E. Sprague collection; London / Melbourne. Notes: 'Lace boxes' were popular amongst the middle and higher classes of English society from circa 1660-1740 - through the reigns of Charles II; James II; William and Mary, Queen Anne; George I; and George II. The finest early examples of such boxes were decorated with 'oyster' veneer, and with various…
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A rare and fine gold moon phase and quarter-striking chronograph pocket-watch. French/Swiss circa 1880. one minute stop-watch, with Breguet coiled spring, 22 jewels 14ct gold full hunter, inscribed to backplate: Chronographie, Phases Luniares, Prepetitions Quarts, Triple Quantieme, Ancre Ligne driote 22 rubis, Levees visibles spiral Breguet, Balanciers Compense Double Plateau. Chatons. Gold chronograph pocket watches are quite a rarity and this fine example has no less than four subsidiary dials and a fine…
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