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Australian & Historical, Day 1 — Leski Auctions Pty. Ltd.

Articles on this Sale

Auction House:Leski Auctions Pty. Ltd.Number of lots recorded:655
Sale Title:Australian & Historical, Day 1Lots with images:640
Auction Location:MelbournePrices available:482
Date:7-Dec-2024
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An exceptional Colonial Australian writing box, beautifully crafted with selected cuts of musk, huon pine, rosewood and cedar, interior fitted with huon pine topped compartments and purple velvet slope, Tasmanian origin, circa 1840, 14.5 cm high, 46 cm wide, 25.5 cm deep
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A stunning Colonial Australian book box of impressive proportions, fiddleback blackwood, huon pine, cedar and other timbers, interior fitted with lidded compartments, Tasmanian origin, circa 1840s, 11 cm high, 35 cm wide, 25 cm, deep. Provenance: Gowan's Auctions, Tasmania, August 16th, 2022, lot 249. Purchase price $10,075 plus buyer premium.
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An unusual antique Australian writing slope, crafted from solid slabs of birdseye huon pine inlaid with fiddleback blackwood, cedar, myrtle, red pine and huon pine, Tasmanian origin, 19th century, 25 cm high, 36 cm wide, 46 cm deep
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A rare Colonial Australian writing box, musk, cedar and fiddleback blackwood with whalebone escutcheon, interior fitted with fiddleback blackwood writing slope, compartments and green baize, Tasmanian origin, circa 1850, 15 cm high, 39 cm wide, 23 cm deep
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A superb Colonial Australian writing box, exceptionally crafted with numerous segments of native timbers including huon pine, musk, beefwood, tulipwood, myrtle, honeysuckle and others, interior fitted with writing slope with later tooled and embossed black leather top, Tasmanian origin, mid 19th century, attractive petite proportions 12 cm high, 36 cm wide, 23 cm deep
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An antique Colonial musk deed box, inlaid with cedar and lined with contemporaneous newspaper, Tasmanian origin, mid 19th century, 12 cm high, 33.5 cm wide, 25.5 cm deep
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An antique Australian cedar box ornately inlaid with kauri pine, chevrons and barber pole decoration, kauri pine secondary timbers with remains of compartment lift-out tray, original pink silk lining inside the lid, 19th century, 17.5 cm high, 31 cm wide, 23 cm deep
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An antique Australian writing box with starburst top, huon pine, blackwood, Queensland walnut and redgum, interior lined with original purple velvet and attractive parquetry decoration, Barossa valley, South Australian origin, 19th century, 13.5 cm high, 37 cm wide, 31 cm deep Provenance: Gowans Auctions, May 2020. (purchase price $3500 plus buyers' premium.)
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Imperial standard measures fine set of seven with original ebony carrying handles, standard gallon to half gill, each engraved 'New south Wales' by Bate of London, 19th century, the standard gallon example additionally engraved 'Bate, London, maker of the original Standards for the Exchequer, city of London, city of Edinburgh, city of Dublin &C. &C. &C.'
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An early Colonial cedar chest of five drawers, crossbanded in beefwood and attractively adorned with string inlay to the drawer fronts and tops, full cedar secondary construction with quadriform panel back, Sydney origin, first quarter of the 19th century, 119 cm high, 114 cm wide, 54 cm deep Provenance: The Keith Okey collection, Denham court, Sotheby's, May 2010.
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An early Colonial Australian cedar carver chair, scroll arm supports with finely fluted and turned legs, Tasmanian origin, circa 1840, 92 cm high, 56 cm across the arms
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An early Colonial Australian cedar four tier wotnot with finely ring turned supports, Tasmanian origin, circa 1840, 137 cm high, 42 cm wide, 42 cm deep
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A fine quality early Colonial Australian cedar spade back carver chair with handsomely selected cedar back rail, scroll arm supports and turned legs, Tasmanian origin, circa 1845, 92 cm high, 54 cm across the arms
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An antique Colonial Australian five drawer cedar chest with cock beading and crossbanded decoration, full cedar secondary timbers, New South Wales origin, circa 1835, 116 cm high, 119 cm wide, 55 cm deep
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Leppington house early Colonial Australian cedar sofa, with handsomely carved and turned decoration, and finely upholstered in black horsehair, circa 1830. Nestled at the foothills of the blue mountains west of Sydney, Leppington house was a grand two storey manor belonging to William Cordeaux, and with convict assistance was constructed sometime between 1823 and 1828. Cordeaux arrived in the Colony aboard the friendship in January 1818 and soon found work at the Commissariat Department as the Deputy…
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An antique Australian Colonial cedar twin pedestal sideboard in the classical manner, with recessed arch panels to the pedestals, crossbanded inserts, inverted break front top with three cushion moulded drawers and low back with scroll carving Athenian decoration, Tasmanian origin, circa 1840, attractive small proportions of 114 cm high, 141 cm wide, 68 cm deep
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An impressive antique Colonial Australian half-tester double bed, crafted from solid huon pine with cedar rails and hardwood slats, Tasmanian origin, circa 1855, Provenance: The Carl and Caressa Crouch collection, Mossgreen Auctions, 22nd February 2015.
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An antique Colonial Australian huon pine bed step commode with embossed and tooled red leather tops and original porcelain liner, Tasmanian origin, circa 1855, 46 cm high, 49 cm wide, 68 cm deep
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An early Colonial Australian huon pine chest of five drawers, Tasmanian origin, circa 1840, 124 cm high, 117 cm wide, 52 cm deep Provenance: Leski Auctions, sale A491, May 2023 - lot 566. (purchase price: $8,501 inc. BP)
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A pair of Colonial huon pine spade back dining chairs with centurion carved skirt decoration to the legs and black horsehair upholstered seats, Tasmanian origin, circa 1840s, 87 cm high
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An antique Colonial secretaire, handsomely crafted with ribbon grain selected cedar with crossbanding and carved corbels, beautifully fitted with drawers and compartments in birdseye huon pine, with whalebone handles and ebonised trim, Melbourne origin, circa 1860, 228 cm high, 122 cm wide, 58 cm deep
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An antique cedar spade back armchair with rattan seat and sabre legs, early 19th century, ex Juliana and Toby Hooper collection 54 cm across the arms
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An early Colonial Australian cedar library sofa table with stretcher base and carved supports, Tasmanian origin, circa 1840, 75 cm high, 107 cm wide, 56 cm deep
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An antique Colonial Australian cedar sideboard with Thomas hope scroll back and cedar panelled doors, Tasmanian origin, circa 1840, 137 cm high, 188 cm wide, 62 cm deep
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A Colonial Australian blackwood and cedar piano stool with black horsehair upholstery, Tasmanian origin, circa 1840, 53 cm high, 33 cm diameter Provenance: The Keith Okey collection, Denham court, Sotheby's, May 2010.
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An early Colonial spade back library chair made from 'Beauty leaf Tree' (*Calophyllum Inophyllum), Queensland origin, circa 1845, 51 cm across the arms Calophyllum Inophyllum is a large fruit bearing plant, and a culturally important source of Tamanu oil. It is a wild native species growing in coastal areas of tropical Australia. In the 1889 book, the Useful native plants of Australia records 'During a debate on the pearl Fisheries bill in the Queensland assembly, a clause was specially inserted to protect…
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A set of six antique Australian cedar spade back dining chairs with turned legs and rattan seats, circa 1835, 92 cm high Provenance: Armitage Auctions, May 2007. The ex residence adjoining the Wesleyan Chapel, Paterson Street, Launceston, Tasmania
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A Colonial Australian cedar tilt-top circular supper table with acanthus carved column, outward swept legs, and square form brass capped castors, two plank top with thumbnail edge, Tasmanian origin, circa 1830s. Note: originally a fixed top table which has been converted to a tilt-top example at some stage in the 19th century which was the fashion at the time. 77 cm high, 132 cm diameter
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A Colonial Australian cedar double ended settee with Thomas hope scroll back and yellow jacquard upholstery, Tasmanian origin, circa 1840, 115 cm high, 220 cm wide, 61 cm deep
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An antique Colonial Australian huon pine five drawer chest constructed from solid slabs of birdseye huon pine, full huon pine secondary construction throughout including back, Tasmanian origin, mid 19th century, 116 cm high, 117 cm wide, 55 cm deep
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An antique Australian huon pine hall table with serpentine front, turned legs and single drawer, Tasmanian origin, circa 1870, 75 cm high, 106 cm wide, 50 cm deep
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A fine quality octagonal exhibition table top inlaid with various native timbers including fiddleback blackwood, huon pine, musk, Queensland maple, native walnut, casuarina and others, on blackwood and kauri pine base, circa 1880, 80 cm high, 100 cm wide, 100 cm deep
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A fine quality antique Colonial Australian blackwood easy chair with carved lotus leg, serpentine front rail and black horsehair upholstery, Tasmanian origin, mid 19th century, 97 cm high, 72 cm across the arms
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A fine quality antique Colonial Australian figured blackwood easy chair with carved lotus leg, serpentine front rail and black horsehair upholstery, Tasmanian origin, mid 19th century, 101 cm high, 70 cm across the arms
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An unusual antique Australian mixed timber wine table with kauri pine top, blackwood barley twist column, huon pine base and blackwood feet, Tasmanian origin, 19th century, 66 cm high, 44 cm diameter
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A Colonial Australian cedar double ended settee with ornately carved back and legs, upholstered in later blue leaf pattern fabric, Tasmanian origin, circa 1845, 110 cm high, 230 cm wide, 65 cm deep
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An antique Australian huon pine two door bookcase cabinet, Tasmanian origin, 19th century, 68 cm high, 82 cm wide, 31 cm deep
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An antique Australian cedar spade back gentleman's library chair with rattan upholstery (A/F), Sydney origin, mid 19th century, 90 cm high, 60 cm across the arms Provenance: The Keith Okey collection, Denham court, Sotheby's, May 2010, lot 445.
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An antique Australian cedar wine table with barley twist column and carved scrolling tri-form base, Tasmanian origin, 19th century, 69 cm high, 55 cm diameter
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An antique Australian huon pine half round hall table with floral carved centre serpentine leg, circa 1865, 105 cm high, 91 cm wide, 53 cm deep
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Anton Seuffert (1815-1887) New Zealand, fine and rare tilt-top wine table with mottled kauri tapering barley twist stem and three scroll legs, radiating starburst marquetry top with lozenge parquetry ground, inlaid with numerous native timbers, circa 1870, 77 cm high, 55 cm diameter Provenance: lot 447, Leski Auctions, sale 486, 4th December, 2022. (purchase price $7,000 plus buyers' premium)
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An antique Australian huon pine cantilever chest of seven drawers with full turned columns and blackwood knobs, full huon pine secondary construction, Tasmanian origin, circa 1845, 126 cm high, 127 cm wide, 53 cm deep
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An antique Australian huon pine twin pedestal dressing table and toiletry dressing mirror with ornately carved supports and feet, 19th century, the mirror 88 cm high, 64 cm wide, 31 cm deep, the base 93 cm high, 120 cm wide, 61 cm deep
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An antique Australian twin pedestal cedar desk with cockbeaded drawers and full cedar secondary construction, New South Wales origin, 19th century, 77 cm high, 121 cm wide, 50 cm deep
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An antique Australian cedar picture frame, housing an antique engraving titled 'The centre of the British army in action at the Battle of Waterloo, June 18th, 1815', 41 x 48.5 cm overall, internal 32 x 39.5 cm
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An antique Australian cedar blanket box with iron carrying handles, 19th century, 42 cm high, 86 cm wide, 47 cm deep
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An important early Tasmanian Colonial cedar centre table with fluted and carved central column on quadraform base, circa 1830. Featuring knulled decorations, this table relates to a very similar example held at Government house in Hobart. Attributed to William Hamilton. For further details see article by John Hawkins in Australiana magazine, August 2009 'Furnishings of Government house, Hobart, part III'. 73 cm high, 122 cm diameter
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A Colonial Tasmanian huon pine picture frame with original gilt slip and glass, mid 19th century, housing a coloured engraving portrait titled 'Etoile D'amour', 70 x 55 cm overall, internal gilt slip 54 x 39.5 cm
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A Colonial Tasmanian huon pine picture frame with original gilt slip and glass, mid 19th century, housing a coloured engraving portrait titled 'La Reine des fleurs' (Estrella de Barcelone), 63 x 51 cm overall, internal gilt slip 46 x 35 cm
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An antique huon pine picture frame with original gilt slip (later glass), 19th century, housing an antique embroidered panel, 60.5 x 76 cm overall, internal gilt slip 43.5 x 59 cm
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Joseph Lycett (c.1775-1828), Raby, a farm belonging to Alexander Riley Esqr. New South Wales, hand coloured engraving, published May 1 1825 by J. Souter, 73 St. Pauls church Yard, 23 x 32 cm, 43 x 53 cm overall
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Hand coloured antique copper plate engravings: I.) 'Banksian cockatoo Variety' by Latham, 1789, II.) 'The Funereal Cockatoo' by Shaw/Nodder, 1794, 44 x 34 cm each overall
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Haughton Forrest (1826-1925), (attributed), (British scene landscape), oil on academy board, signed lower left 'Forrest', with pencil inscription verso '...Castle on The...', with framer's label verso 'John pill of Hobart', 30 x 46 cm, 48 x 44 cm overall
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John Gould (1804-1881), Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus Ursinus), hand coloured engraving from the 1851 edition of 'The mammals of Australia', 33 x 51.5 cm, 58 x 76 cm overall
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John Gould (1804-1881), cassowary (Casuarius Australis), hand coloured engraving from 'The birds of Australia', 53 x 34.5 cm, 75 x 58 cm overall
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John Gould (1804-1881), Tasmanian Wallaby (Halmaturus Billardieri), hand coloured engraving from the 1851 edition 'The mammals of Australia', descriptive page verso, 53 x 35 cm, 79 x 59 cm overall
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John Gould (1804-1881), Hypsiprymnus Apicalis (Tasmanian rat - kangaroo), hand coloured engraving, descriptive page verso, 35 x 54 cm, 60 x 77 cm overall
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Neville Cayley Senior (1853-1903), (two kookaburras), watercolour, signed lower left 'Neville Cayley, 1896, Original', 50 x 62 cm, 71 x 82 cm overall
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Gracius Joseph Broinowski (1837-1913), Leach's cockatoo / Banksia cockatoo, colour lithograph print, 32 x 24 cm, 61 x 51 cm overall
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Neville Cayley Senior (1853-1903), (kookaburra feeding young), watercolour, signed lower right 'Neville Cayley', 61 x 46 cm, 85 x 70 cm overall
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A taxidermy snowy owl in glass case, 20th century, 77 cm high, 69 cm wide, 44 cm deep. Provenance: : the Owston sale, Bonhams Auctions, 26th June, 2010, lot 1257. (purchase price: $6,720 inc. BP)
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An impressive antique Colonial Australian picture frame made from solid slabs of fiddleback blackwood, Tasmanian origin, circa 1850, 83 x 63 cm, internal 63 x 44 cm
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An antique Australian cedar picture frame, 19th century, housing a facsimile colour print titled 'Sydney cove, circa 1842', 55 x 70 cm overall, 42 x 56.5 cm internal
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Antique Australian furniture: a group of six reference books comprising: 'Australian furniture, pictorial history and dictionary, 1788-1938'; '19th century Australian Furniture'; '1988 commemorative collection of fine Colonial Furniture' and 'Early Colonial furniture in New South Wales and van Diemen's Land' (2 copies); together with a folio volume of 'Parrots of the World', (6 volumes)
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Captain cook: two portrait prints in timber frames, the larger 60 x 47 cm overall
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'Hobart Town' circa 1825 Staffordshire earthen ware plate with blue & white transfer pattern. (after) George William Evans who originally published the image as a frontispiece to his book on the colony in 1822. Earliest known depiction of Australia on porcelain or earthen ware. Extremely rare & desirable. 23 cm diameter
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A rare Colonial Australian treen ware tobacco jar, crafted from turned musk, Tasmanian origin, 19th century, 22 cm high
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An antique Colonial sewing companion bobbin reel holder, huon pine, blackwood, myrtle and sassafras with whalebone pins, Tasmanian origin, early to mid 19th century, 24.5 cm high
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Thomas Woolner (1825-1892), important pair of bronze portrait plaques of Dr Godfrey Howitt and Phoebe Howitt of Melbourne, circa 1853. Both signed 'T. Woolner, Sc. 1853'. Housed in original circular timber frames. The plaques approximately 23 cm diameter, 27 cm each overall. Together with a book on Thomas Woolner 'Thomas Woolner R.A. His life in Letters' and a book on Pre-Raphaelite Art titled 'Dante Gabriel Rossetti', where Woolner is referred to on pages 17 and 31. Provenance: by direct family descent.…
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An antique etching of Bocking Church, housed in a huon pine frame, 19th century 11.5 x 15 cm, 20 x 24 cm overall
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'The village Festival' antique English engraving, housed in an antique Australian timber frame, 19th century, 45 x 53 cm overall
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An antique Australian cedar apprentice chest of four drawers, 19th century, 40 cm high, 40 cm wide, 22 cm deep
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A fine quality antique colonial Australian cedar picture frame with ogee profile and original gilt slip, circa 1860, 56 x 75 cm internal, 82 x 100.5 cm overall
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An antique colonial Australian blackwood picture frame, currently housing a mirror, 19th century, 42.5 x 55.5 cm internal, 62 x 76 cm overall
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H.A. Nielsen antique Australian book box, Queensland rain forest timbers, circa 1920, bearing remains of stamp 'H.A. Nielsen, Pt. Douglas, N.Q. Art Cabinetmaker', 21 cm high
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An antique Australian cedar and kauri pine book box, 19th/20th century, 26 cm high
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An antique Australian cedar book box, 19th/20th century, 25 cm high
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A Colonial tea caddy with lift off lid, Australian cedar, early to mid 19th century, 18 cm high
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An antique cast iron emu rondel mounted on cedar shield panel, 19th century, 39 cm high
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An antique Australian cedar apprentice chest, beautifully crafted with serpentine top, full barley twist columns and eight drawers, original polish and finish throughout, a fine example, circa 1875, 50 cm high, 47 cm wide, 30 cm deep
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An antique Australian cedar and pine miniature ice chest, most likely an apprentice piece or salesman's sample, interior fitted with five graduated drawers, lift-top with original zinc lining and ice box, late 19th century, 32.5 cm high, 24 cm wide, 16 cm deep
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An antique Australian cedar apprentice chest, handsomely crafted with carved corbels top and bottom, circa 1875, full cedar construction with faint ink stamp to reverse 'Mitchell, 238 Gratton Street, Carlton', 36 cm high, 36 cm wide, 25 cm deep
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An antique Australian cedar apprentice chest of thirteen drawers in unusual configuration, 19th century, inscribed 'Jack Davies made This', 44 cm high, 40 cm wide, 23 cm deep
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An antique Australian cedar apprentice chest of four drawers with full barley twist columns, 19th century, 37 cm high, 37 cm wide, 24 cm deep
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A rare pair of Australian folk Art shell framed mirrors, 19th century, 55 x 38 cm each
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An antique glass apothecary jar emblazoned with the Australian coat of arms and 'Advance Australia, toilet Articles', 19th century, 65 cm high
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An antique Australian cedar apprentice chest of five drawers, 19th/20th century, 46 cm high, 48 cm wide, 25 cm deep
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An antique Australian cedar apprentice chiffonier cabinet, 19th century, 77 cm high, 57 cm wide, 34 cm deep
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An antique carved timber wall bracket in the manner of Robert Prenzel, with oak leaf and salamander lizard decoration, adorned with intricate monogram, 19th/20th century, 26 cm high overall
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Medal: 1879 Sydney international exhibition large bronze medal by Wyon (76 mm), engraved to 'W. Bennetts, first Prize'. This is a large bronze prize medal featuring a view of the Sydney garden Palace exhibition building with a figure of New South Wales standing in front holding the colonial shield and surrounded by exhibition goods.
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'The Australian Bush' antique English porcelain plate adorned with kangaroos in landscape by Brownfield, circa 1874, factory and diamond registration marks to base, 26 cm diameter
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An antique white porcelain kangaroo vase, 19th century, 15.5 cm high
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Cole's book arcade Melbourne 'Cole's Literary Plate', 19th century, stamped 'Rd. 54424', 27.5 cm diameter
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Royal Doulton 'Botany Bay' antique English porcelain lidded urn with hand painted scene of Cook's landing site, green factory mark to base, 14 cm high. Provenance: formerly part of the Trevor Kennedy collection.
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James short of London fine and rare mid 18th century Gregorian/reflector telescope fitted with sighting scope and fine vernier adjustment, on original tripod base, and housed in a mid 19th century Australian cedar case, fitted with original additional mirrors, optic shades and lense piece. Note: James Short's telescope where of the highest quality an supplied the Royal Society in London, and Captain James cook took two such telescopes by short on his famous voyages to observe to transit of Venus on which…
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Henry Lane [The convict clock maker from Bristol]. Antique longcase clock with one piece silvered dial, marked 'Henry Lane Bristol', in Sheraton mahogany case with conch shell inlay to the serpentine edged trunk door. Three train weight driven movement chiming the quarters on 4/8 bells, strike/silent subsidiary to the dial arch. Made by Henry Lane in Bristol before he was convicted of forgery and transported as a convict to the penal Colony of New South Wales. A time and strike example is held in the…
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J. M. Wendt of Adelaide, antique longcase clock, late 19th century. William IV mahogany case of good colour and finish with cross-banded base box. Circular glazed door to the hood surmounted by fine scroll carving. The movement made in England for Wendt, most likely manufactured by J. J. E. Elliott. Striking the hours on a substantial coiled gong and chiming the quarters on a nest of eight bells. One piece engraved circular dial with Roman numerals. Silent stroke chime lever above the twelve. 4/8 bells…
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An antique English dial clock in mahogany case, single train chain fusee movement with cast brass bezel and silvered sight ring, retailed by 'T. Gaunt, Melbourne', 19th century, 38 cm diameter overall
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An antique carved wooden hand cup, stamped 'A souvenir from Pitcairn Island', 19.5 cm high
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An apprentice sideboard, stained pine and glass, South Australian origin, 19th century 66 cm high, 46 cm wide, 16 cm deep
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