Antiques from prominent Melbourne families feature in two-day Ainger's Special Sale.

By Richard Brewster, on 17-Oct-2016

A magnificent collection of antiques that belonged to Toorak couple the late Bruce Reid and his late wife Joy Gertrude Beattie is the highlight of E.J. Ainger’s special two-day sale from 11am on both Saturday October 22 and Sunday October 23 at 433 Bridge Road, Richmond.

Bruce’s great-grandfather William Reid, a prominent banking and racing identity of the early 20th century, started the collection, which has been cherished and handed down through several generations.

Likewise, the inaugural head of the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology (established in 1908), H.A. Hunt, left part of his collection to his granddaughter Joy.

Her father also was a keen appreciator of fine arts and lived only a few doors away from their home in Power Avenue, Toorak.

According to Aingers, the collection of Victorian furniture is one of the finest it has ever offered at auction.

Collections of antiques from a number of prominent Melbourne families will be sold by E. J. Ainger in their Richmond auction rooms in a special two-day sale on both Saturday October 22 and Sunday October 23. As well as a number of items of good quality furniture, the sale includes 40 items of Royal Worcester, including a reticulated vase by George Owen in 1924 (above) estimated at $3,000-5,000

Collections of antiques from a number of prominent Melbourne families will be sold by E. J. Ainger in their Richmond auction rooms in a special two-day sale on both Saturday October 22 and Sunday October 23. As well as a number of items of good quality furniture, the sale includes 40 items of Royal Worcester, including a reticulated vase by George Owen in 1924 (above) estimated at $3,000-5,000

It includes several quality pieces from the former prestigious Acorn Antiques, including a piano top davenport, burr walnut tables, card tables, credenzas and occasional furniture.

The auction contains a range of Georgian and Regency mahogany furniture including bachelor’s chests, and dining room tables and chairs.

Among the kingwood and floral marquetry inlaid French furniture are marble top commodes and pairs of bedside cabinets.

Rare is the American oak cased symphonium grandfather clock, while auction goers also have the perfect opportunity to snap up to snap up decorative Italian, English and French mirrors.

There is a fine German Renaissance cabinet and a selection of walnut and mahogany twin pedestal tooled leather top desks – along with a French Marjorelle bedroom and dining room suite.

Eames chrome boardroom chairs and a Featherstone chair are other features and outdoor furniture is represented in the form of cast iron garden urns, benches and a street lamp.

The auction contains a selection of kerosene lamps removed from a Bendigo property, Moorcroft pottery and Royal Doulton, Ryak Dux and Royal Worcester porcelain including an outstanding signed George Owen vase and cover.

Art is another auction drawcard and among the notable Australian and European artists are works by Hans Heysen, Ethel Carrick Fox, Pro Hart, David Boyd, Leonard Long, Leon Hanson, Ambrose Griffin, A.A. Prout, Louis Kahan and Dora Wilson.

A large collection of sterling silver and jewellery should bring collectors running, particularly a fine cameo brooch and Georg Jensen bracelet.

Among the more unusual items is a single owner collection of walking sticks, ivory figures and chess pieces.

Also on offer is an interesting collection of pharmacy bottles, French mantel clocks, a William Ricketts sculpture and a quality selection of woollen and silk floor rugs.

Sale Referenced:

About The Author

Richard Brewster has been writing about the antiques and art auction industry for almost 20 years, first in a regular weekly column for Fairfax's The Age newspaper and also in more recent times for his own website Australian Auction Review. With 45 years experience as a journalist and public relations consultant, in 1990 Richard established his own business Brewster & Associates in Melbourne, handling a wide range of clients in the building, financial, antiques and art auction industries.