Dr Longhurst and his family migrated to Australia after World War I bringing their fine antiques with them. Eventually, they passed them to their son Meredith who gifted several of the items to a collector and close family friend now in his nineties and in special care.
The items include a George II long case clock (Lot 642 ) by famous clockmaker Jacob O’ Donnell, a Dutch marquetry bureau (Lot 583 ), a George III polychrome decorated side and elbow chair (Lot 637 ) and a George III mahogany Sheraton card table (Lot 571 ) – and no doubt will be keenly sought after by auction goers at the auction from noon Saturday and Sunday April 28 and 29 at 433 Bridge Road, Richmond.
Imari vases sourced while she worked in Japan during the Allied occupation after World War II come from the estate of a Miss Davies. In 1962, she acquired a property at 43 The Broadway, Camberwell and began collecting Moorcroft and Royal Doulton – including a Royal Doulton exotic bird vase (Lot 177 ) by Charles Noke, obtained in 1968 (receipt included) from well known antique dealer the late Richard Berry in Flinders Lane, and a William Moorcroft Burslem factory moonlight vase (Lot 181 ).
Other notable porcelain auction items include a 31-centimetre high Royal Worcester pot-pourri dated 1907 and painted by John Stinton (Lot 291 ) and two other Royal Worcester pieces by Harry Davis and William Hawkins.
A mid 19th century Thai gilt bronze figure of a standing Buddha (Lot 628 ) purchased some 30 years ago from a Bangkok temple earmarked for demolition is bound to attract plenty of attention, along with a George III four piece silver tea service (Lot 278 ) made in 1817 by Richard Pierce of London.
The tea service is well provenanced as it was purchased in 1982 from Pharaohs Antiques, formerly of High Street Armadale.
Amongst the furniture is an early 20th century Australian blackwood pedestal desk from the Dunlop family with drawers lined with envelopes addressed to Sir Edward (Weary) Dunlop.
Other antiques include English George III, George IV and Victorian furniture, Australian colonial furniture (including a 19th century Roche & Co (Lot 412 ) bedroom suite) and an outstanding collection of 19th century French Louis XV and XVI style pieces.
