Unlike Graham Geddes previous auctions, this is probably Australia’s most historic sale (featuring more than 1800 lots) since the disposal of Warren Anderson’s Owston Collection in 2010.
Typical of the important items in the collection is the Vichi Florentine marble statue (Lot 411 ) – a copy of a piece sculpted by the German sculptor Johann Heinrich von Dannecker (1758-1841) between 1810 and 1824 and recovered in South Yarra from the backyard glass house of a well-known Melbourne interior designer, all covered in leaves and grime.
Graham Geddes has many such stories because, over the past four decades, he has not only travelled the world sourcing the finest quality items for his High Street Armadale antiques dealership, he also has been a key participant in the local auction market – often becoming the first port of call when an auctioneer had something special in his saleroom.
This enigmatic and seasoned dealer attributes his longevity in the antiques trade to his ability to meet changes in the market – expanding the scope of his business beyond simply selling antiques to include film hire, commercial hire and high-end real estate display.
Constant overseas travelling has given Graham Geddes the ability to quickly respond to changing tastes, sourcing stock from as far afield as Marrakesh, Spain, India, Britain, France, Italy and China.
All these factors have helped build a collection long renowned for its sheer scale and depth, and its eclectic nature. Offerings in this forthcoming auction range from bronze and marble statuary (including the Vichi copy), important and rare English and European furniture, lighting and sculpture to Asian antiquities and Viennese bronzes – many of the pieces accompanied by extraordinary provenances.
“It is common knowledge that over the years I have dabbled with various auction houses that have assisted me with aspects of my collection,” Mr Geddes said. “However, this is the first and last time that a complete offering of my entire stock in trade will hit the market place.”
One of the more significant items in the collection is an 1860s painted Italian ivory inlaid ebony and ebonised cabinet (Lot 190 ) that Mr Geddes acquired from Christie’s in London in 2002.
Another is a 1740s Louis XV king wood gilt bronze mounted commode by Francois Fleury (Lot 360 ) (Bonhams and Goodman 2009) and a third a Chinese Wucai dragon and phoenix bowl complete with Yongzheng period mark (lot 1730).
