Someone must have really desired the George III flame mahogany linen press (Lot 7 ) at Gibson's Auctions Melbourne Interiors March 28 sale because they were willing to pay $5368 including buyer's premium when it was listed in the auction catalogue with a $500-$800 estimate. A Gibson's representative commented after the sale 'it was good to see brown furniture finally making a bit of a comeback.
A circa 1790 English burr walnut chest of drawers (Lot 12 ) wasn't a bad result either - $4392 on the same estimate as the linen press – while an 18th century refectory table (Lot 567 ) brought $5124, double its catalogue estimate.
The top selling lot was Émile Gallé's (1846-1904) “Tempus Stellae” circa 1900 twin handled opalescent and enamelled glass vase (Lot 54 ) which changed hands for $9150.
Tempus Stellae means “time of the star” and pays tribute deeply religious convictions. The phrase was taken from the story about the arrival of the wise men in Bethlehem to pay homage to the Christ child.
Gallé was noted for his art nouveau glass art and furniture designs and also founded the École de Nancy or Nancy School, a design movement in Nancy, France where he was born.
A circa 1930s large Clarice Cliff enamelled porcelain Sir Frank Brangwyn series wall charger (Lot 64 ) filled second place at $6100.
The Brangwyn panels were designed in 1925 for the Royal Gallery of Britain's House of Lords to commemorate deceased World War I soldiers and the Clarice Cliff charger is taken from those panels.
Clarice Cliff then featured in three more of the top 10 results – lot 67, a circa 1930 'Summerhouse' lotus jug that brought $5612, a first edition 1934 charger 'Fair Ladies' painted by Dame Laura Knight (lot 65 - $5124) and a circa 1930 'Latona Dahlia' two handled lotus jug (lot 69 - $4880).
An unusual 19th century Viennese enamel perfume dispenser modelled as a wine barrel (Lot 511 ) was another healthy performer, changing hands for $5612.
