leonard, issue 14, february 2013
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Issue FOuRTeeN / FEBRUARY 2013
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ValuaTIONs aND DIGITal MeDIa
Monique Le Grand Phone + 61 (0) 3 8825 5620Email [email protected]
CORpORaTe & pRIVaTe COlleCTIONs
John Albrecht, Managing Director Phone 0413 819 767Email [email protected]
Susan Saunders, Head of Finance & AdministrationPhone + 61 (0) 3 8825 5603Email [email protected]
sINGle OwNeR COlleCTIONs
Guy Cairnduff, Head of The Specialist CollectorPhone +61 (0) 3 8825 5611Email [email protected]
aRT
John Albrecht, Head of ArtPhone + 61 (0) 3 8825 5619Email [email protected]
Nicole Salvo, Assistant Head of ArtPhone + 61 (0) 3 8825 5624Email [email protected]
JewelleRy
John D’Agata, Head of JewelleryPhone + 61 (0) 3 8825 5605Email [email protected]
ClassIC FuRNITuRe, ObJeCTs aND DesIGN
Guy Cairnduff, Head of Classic Furniture, Objects and DesignPhone +61 (0) 3 8825 5611Email [email protected]
COlleCTables
Giles Moon, Head of CollectablesPhone + 61 (0) 3 8825 5635Email [email protected]
bOOks aND MaNusCRIpTs
Chiara Curcio, Assistant Weekly Books & CabinetsPhone + 61 (0) 3 8825 5604Email [email protected]
pRe–OwNeD luxuRy
John D’Agata, Head of JewelleryPhone + 61 (0) 3 8825 5605Email [email protected]
NaTuRal HIsTORy
Giles Moon, Head of CollectablesPhone + 61(0) 3 8825 5635Email [email protected]
JapaNese wORks OF aRT
Trevor Fleming, ConsultantPhone +61 (0) 3 8825 5611Email [email protected]
THe weekly auCTION
Eoghan Doherty, Weekly Furniture ManagerPhone + 61 (0) 3 8825 5632Email [email protected]
Leonard Joel Specialists
LEoNARD JoEL
Primary Salerooms
333 Malvern Road,
South Yarra, Victoria 3141
Australia
Tel: +61 (0) 3 9826 4333
Fax: +61 (0) 3 9826 4544
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Leonard is published 10 times a year by Leonard Joel. If you have any questions regarding Leonard please contact 03 9826 4333
CoverA Boutique Single Owner Estate AuctionTuesday 5 February 2013 at 6.30pm
2A GINORI TIN GLAZED EARTHENWARE TWO HANDLED VASE, IN THE URBINO STYLE, LATE 19TH CENTURY$2,800 - 3,200(See page 14)
PhotographyRick Merrie
DesignerMaria Rossi
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M A R G A R E T R I V E R
FORewORD
The economy for beautiful things and
interesting people, as I like to refer to it,
has already begun in earnest at Leonard
Joel with three weekly auctions of antiques,
interiors, jewellery, collectables and luxury
items already behind us. Our weekly
auction remains after more than 90 years a
Melbourne tradition and a fascinating way
to browse and shop. Add to this our special
catalogue auctions and single-owner sales
that we have planned for you and we look
forward to offering literally tens of thousands
of items across every imaginable collecting
and design category. In fact I like to think of
the modern day auction as really the original
“Pop Up Shop” – here today and gone in a
few days with another fascinating collection
just around the corner. So what do we have
planned in 2013? Already we have no less than
three single-owner sales scheduled; from
a living Australian artist, a deceased estate
in Armadale, Victoria and an extraordinary
luxury and interiors auction, The Collection
of Mr Joel Barlow under instructions from
The Public Trustee of Queensland, which
will take place in Brisbane in conjunction
with Antiques & Fine Art Auctions. This year
we intend to keep listening to our clients
and adapting our offerings to ever-changing
tastes and sensibilities and in this vein I’m
pleased to announce that every month we will
now be offering a monthly Interiors Auction
that will showcase the most interesting and
attractive post-war design that finds its
way to us here at Leonard Joel. For further
information please visit our website. I look
forward to seeing you in our South Yarra
rooms and let the collecting begin!
Welcome back to Leonard joeL
JoHN ALBRECHT, MANAGING DIRECToR LEoNARD JoEL
1 FEBRUARYleonard
CONTeNTs
FEBRUARY ContEnts
CALENDAR 3
NEWS 4
FINE ART RESULTS 6
JEWELLERY RESULTS 8
CoLLECTABLES RESULTS 10
THE MURRAY WALkER CoLLECTIoN 12
A BoUTIqUE SINGLE oWNER ESTATE 14
MoDERN DESIGN 16
ASIAN FoCUS 17
THE WEEkLY 18
SPECIALIST PRINTS 19
CLASSIC FURNITURE, oBJECTS
AND DESIGN RESULTS 20
A DAY IN THE LIFE oF AN
ANTIqUES VALUER 21
GET LEoNARD ALL THE TIME
SUBSCRIBE
With more specialist categories and auctions than
any auction house of its kind in Australia, Leonard is
the simplest way to remain abreast of all forthcoming
auctions, important sales results, events and auction
news. With expert contributors from all fields of col-
lecting Leonard will be an indispensable tool for both
the seasoned auction-goer and the new collector alike.
Leonard is available both free at Leonard Joel and
online or can be subscribed to for an annual fee of $44
inc GST (postage & handling). Visit us online at www.
leonardjoel.com.au or for subscription information
contact [email protected].
FRoM SINGLE ITEMS To CoLLECTIoNSIf you have a single item or collection you
wish to sell, the Leonard Joel team of spe-
cialists can guide you through the entire val-
uation and auction process. We can provide
you with experts across all collecting fields,
no less than thirteen categories of auction to
select from and the most expansive calendar
of catalogue auctions in Australia. Leon-
ard Joel specialists conduct insurance and
market valuations for the entire spectrum
of clients - private collectors, corporations,
museums, fiduciaries and government enti-
ties are advised by our valuers and special-
ists on a daily basis.
TAILoRED TRUST AND ESTATE SERVICESLeonard Joel has a long and distinguished
history of assisting both trust companies and
executors with the dispersal of important
collections. We provide fiduciaries (lawyers,
trust officers, accountants and executors)
with a complete suite of services to manage
accurately and successfully the dispersal
of large and small estates. Our services are
specially designed to aid in the appraisal
and dispersal of fine art, antiques, jewel-
lery, objet d’art, collectables, books & manu-
scripts and general household contents.
thinking of SeLLing?
Our specialists are now sourcing single items and collections for the following categories:
AUSTRALIAN AND INTERNATIoNAL ART
FINE JEWELLERY AND WRISTWATCHES
PRE-oWNED LUxURY
CLASSIC oBJECTS AND FURNITURE
MoDERN DESIGN
SINGLE oWNER CoLLECTIoNS
CoLLECTABLE ToYS AND SPoRTING MEMoRABILIA
MILITARIA
BookS AND MANUSCRIPTS
ARoUND THE AUCTIoNSAt our recent Fine Jewellery & Luxury
Auction in December this beautifully
behaved visitor was more than a little
displeased that he was not allowed to
attend the auction upstairs!
2 leonardFEBRUARY
FoRthComing AUCtions
The Weekly Auction Every ThursdayFurniture & Interiors – 10am Jewellery & Wristwatches – 10.30am Art – 11.30am Books – 12pm Objects & Collectables – 12pm 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria
A Boutique Single-owner Estate Auction Tuesday 5th February 2013 – 6.30pm 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria
Monthly Interiors Auction Thursday 7th February 2013 – 1pm 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria
The Murray Walker Collection A Unique Single-owner Auction Thursday 14th February 2013 – 2pm 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria
Specialist Print Auction Thursday 7th March 2013 – 11.30pm 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria
Modern Design Auction Thursday 7th March 2013 – 6.30pm 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria
The Mr Joel Barlow Collection Sunday 10th March 2013 – 10am Antique & Fine Art Auctions
29 Logan Road, Wolloongabba, QLD
The Fine Art Auction Tuesday 19th March 2013 – 6.30pm 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria
Fine Jewellery & Pre-owned Luxury Auction Tuesday 26th March 2013 – 6.30pm 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria
Collectables Auction Tuesday 16th April 2013 – 6.30pm 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria
Classic Furniture, objects & Design Auction Tuesday 21st May 2013 – 6.30pm 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria
CaleNDaR
Leonard Joel is a proud supporter of Arts Project Australia
Auctions and viewing times are subject to change.
MATHAMAN MARIkA (1920-1970) Djankawa People circa 1957 natural earth pigments on bark 69 x 23.5cm Sold for $1,159 (IBP)
entrieS inVited aboriginaL ART
INTERSTATEAUCTIoN
3 FEBRUARYleonard
News
MoNTHLY INTERIoRS AUCTIoN
EnquiriesEoghan Doherty, Manager Weekly Furniture(03) 8825 [email protected]
GRANT FEATHERSON (1922-1995) A B210 CONTOUR CHAIR, designed 1953 Sold for $5,500
giLeS Moonfor ImpoRTAnT coLLectabLeS
THE CoLLECTIoN oF MR JoEL BARLoW, qUEENLSLAND
Leonard Joel can offer clients unique local
and international expertise when it comes
to the sale of important collectables, mili-
taria and memorabilia. Giles Moon, English
born and internationally trained, enjoys an
unrivalled knowledge when it comes to the
marketing and sale of historically impor-
tant Australian items. Whether it is a rare
medal group, an entire single-owner collec-
tion, an important sporting trophy or spe-
cial commemorative item Giles Moon can
successfully navigate you through the sale
process and ensure that it finds the right
institutional or private collector at best
market price.
In late 2012 Giles successfully transacted
the unique Phar Lap album to a public
institution for $91,500 (IBP)
If you are sitting on valuable Australian
history and want to realise its value contact
Giles Moon, Head of Collectables, via the
details below for a confidential and compli-
mentary discussion.
Giles Moon
03 8825 5635
Our newly formed pre-owned luxury
department presents this fascinating
Interiors & Luxury auction in conjunction
with Antiques & Fine Art Auctions in
Queensland. Under instructions from The
Public Trustee of Queensland, Leonard
Joel have been instructed to disperse
approximately 1000 items, that range from
the more traditional collecting categories
right through to the more unusual. The
collection contains numerous international
luxury brand items, exotic furnishings,
beautiful accessories, art and jewellery
and presents a rare opportunity for lovers
of luxury items and design to buy on the
secondary market.
For further information regarding this
Queensland auction please contact
John D’Agata on 03 88255605 or email
THuRsDay 7 FebRuaRy
aT 1pM
4 leonardFEBRUARY
AUCTIoN 21 FEBRUARY AT 12PM
MoNTHLY ToY SALE
JewelleryIncluding important signed jewellery, collectable wristwatches, Australian jewellery and pre-owned luxury
ArtIncluding important Australian and international art Photography and Sculpture
Classic Furniture and objectsIncluding modern design and single-owner collections
CollectablesIncluding toys, sporting memorabilia and militaria
aLWaYS conSigning
News
EnquiriesGiles Moon Head of Collectables(03) 8825 [email protected]
TWO CIJ CEMENT TRUCKS INCLUDING ONE RED AND ONE BLUE Sold for $610 (IBP)
A VERY MoDERN AUCTIoN RooM
An auctioneer never knows what can walk through the door and this was proven
again when Antique & Fine Art Auctions, Brisbane were offered this rare signed
piece of Beatles memorabilia. Recognising its significance, Stuart Vallance,
Managing Director of the Queensland auction house, contacted our very own
Giles Moon who picked it as very special indeed. It was shipped to Melbourne
and was sold late last year for the staggering price of $9760 (IBP)
There is a strong market for modern design
as the trend for unique and fashionable
furnishings has grown in the last few
decades. This week we head off to the
busy rooms of Leonard Joel auctions in
Melbourne and Modern Design is the star!
We know that our antique obsessed host
Gordon loves the Georgian style, so how
will he fare in the midst of Featherston
furnishings?
From second hand goods in an op shop to
a collector’s treasure, this auction serves
up a sumptuous feast of dining and living
room furniture made and designed by some
of the mid 20th century’s biggest names.
There are oh so modern works by Danish
designers as well as originals by American
cultural icons Charles and Ray Eames.
Flashy European constructions from
Italy, France and Germany are up for sale,
but it is the Contour curves of 50s home
grown designer Grant Featherston and
the craftsmanship of the Australian based
Rosando Brothers and Schulim Krimper
that have a strong local following.
Recognising the value of a donation to
the Sacred Heart Mission charity shop,
manager Trish Williams contacted the
previous owners to be sure that they
understood the value of the goods they had
given. While they could have auctioned the
Eames dining table and chairs themselves,
they wanted the Mission to benefit from
the proceeds. It was a valuable gift that the
charity appreciated. The Mission feeds 500
people a day and provides a half way house
for those in need. Selling the Eames pieces
at this auction gives them the opportunity
to get the best price for the setting and
be able to put so many more meals on the
table. How well will this Eames design do
here?
Founder and Artistic Director of the
contemporary dance company BalletLab
Phillip Adams has charitable aims too.
He lives in a house designed in 1959 by
Melbourne architect Ernest Fooks. For 20
years Phillip has collected some classic
Australian designer furniture to fill it. He
has enjoyed living with the collection over
the years, but it is now time to pass it on
for others to appreciate. Phillip loves good
design and his long-term goal is to donate
his city apartment to the Victorian College
of the Arts as a project hub for design
students. It will be an opportunity for them
to take a leaf out of the Rosando Brothers’
book and custom design and build all the
furnishings for it.
Are homemakers willing to pay good money
for our own local design talent? Is Danish
furniture falling from favour? Gordon
might say that it’s not built as well as his
beloved antiques, and is quite bemused
by the interest in Ozzie designers. Has he
missed something here? The penny might
have dropped when he sees that buyers are
so willing to part with a lot of very good
money for this stylish stuff!
Courtesy of ABC TV
RARE BEATLES SoUVENIR BookLET DISCoVERED IN qUEENSLAND
Eoghan Doherty, Weekly Furniture Manager
5 FEBRUARYleonard
FINe aRT ResulTs
now consigning Fine art For tUesday 19 MarcH 2013
deceMber ART reSULtS
JoHN PERCEVAL (1923-2000) Children Playing with Boats, Mordialloc 1968 oil on canvas, 83 x 101cm Sold for $56,120 (IBP)
6 leonardFEBRUARY
FINe aRT ResulTs
artGEoFF DYER (BoRN 1947) Untitled (Bushfire Series) I oil on canvas, 152 x 152cm Sold for $10,370 (IBP)
RoBERT DICkERSoN (BoRN 1924) Lady in a Sheer Dress pastel on paper on board 75 x 55.5cm Sold for $7,320 (IBP)
CHARLES BLACkMAN (BoRN 1928) In the Jungle oil on board 74.5 x 54cm Sold for $4,880 (IBP)
JoY HESTER (1920-1960) Face of a Girl 1947 china ink on paper on board 29 x 24cm Sold for $4,880 (IBP)
HENRI TANoUx (FRENCH, 1865-1923) Harem Beauties oil on canvas 71 x 58.5cm Sold for $8,540 (IBP)
ALBERT NAMATJIRA (1902-1959) Central Australian Landscape watercolour, 26 x 36cm Sold for $12,200 (IBP)
7 FEBRUARYleonard
now consigning Fine Jewellery For tUesday 26 MarcH 2013
JewelleRy ResulTs
an eclecTIc jeWeLLerY aUctionOur last major fine jewellery and luxury
auction for 2012 generated some very
interesting results. The collection presented
pieces from all the famous jewellery houses,
a very interesting collection of precious
objects from a single-owner collection
in NSW and high-value leather goods
from international fashion houses. Period
jewellery with a contemporary flavour
again sold well with the highest price
going to an Art Deco emerald and diamond
bracelet, lot 158, selling for $10,980 (IBP).
Fine craftsmanship was also keenly sought
when lot 427, a superbly constructed gold
trinket box, sold for more than double its
estimate for $9125 (IBP). The box emanated
from the 100 lot single-owner collection
and was one of many period Georgian and
Victorian boxes in both gold and silver to
go under the hammer – it was rare to see so
many period boxes in one auction and they
were all keenly contested. From the more
contemporary offering, lot 299, a Chanel
J12 diamond wristwatch (rarely seen at
auction) also more than doubled its estimate
to finally sell for $8845 (IBP). And the thirst
for signature pieces continued when two
line bracelets by Cartier, lots 168 and 209,
each sold for $6100 (IBP). Items of jewellery
from the Bulgari and Kutchinsky jewellery
houses also sold well.
The most interesting theme of the auction
was undoubtedly the collection of early
boxes and it is rare to be able to analyse the
current price performance of a collecting
category in so much detail from one auction
so on page 9 we take this opportunity to
present sale highlights from this collecting
category:
A DIAMOND LINE BRACELET BY CARTIER Sold for $6,100 (IBP)
A CHANEL J12 DIAMOND WRISTWATCH Sold for $8,845 (IBP)
A DIAMOND LINE BRACELET BY CARTIER Sold for $6,100 (IBP)
AN ART DECO EMERALD AND DIAMOND BRACELET Sold for $10,980 (IBP)
8 leonardFEBRUARY
JewelleRy ResulTs
the HUmBle boX
A GEORGIAN GOLD SNUFF BOXSold for $ 4,880 (IBP)
A GOLD GEORGIAN SNUFF BOXCIRCA 1804Sold for $ 5,612 (IBP)
AN OVAL GOLD TRINKET BOXSold for $ 9,150 (IBP)
A GEORGIAN GOLD SNUFF BOXCIRCA 1803Sold for $ 4, 636 (IBP)
A GEORGIAN GOLD SNUFF BOXCIRCA 1803Sold for $ 4, 636 (IBP)
9 FEBRUARYleonard
COlleCTables ResulTs
coLLectabLeS reSULtS
Strong international bidding ensured impressive results at
The Christmas Collectables Auction on 16 December
2012. The sale was particularly eclectic, even by
Collectables standards, ranging from antique toys,
automata and railwayana, to numismatics, entertainment
memorabilia and vintage movie posters. The top two
lots of the day were bought by UK bidders. Lot 121A, a
souvenir booklet signed by The Beatles in 1963 sold for
$9,760 (IBP). Lot 89, a remarkable French automaton of
a girl magician, circa 1900, realised $6,210 (IBP) against
a pre-sale estimate of $5,000 - 7,000. Giles Moon,
Head of Collectables noted ‘I continue to be surprised
and excited by the diversity and quality of collectables
in Australia, which was borne out by the considerable
interest from overseas collectors throughout this sale.’
now consigning collectaBles For tUesday 16 aPril 2013
AUTOGRAPHED SOUVENIR BEATLES BOOKLETSold for $9,760 (IBP)
4 BEATLES BOBB’N CAR MASCOTSSold for $793 (IBP)
10 leonardFEBRUARY
COlleCTables ResulTs
SHOP WINDOW DISPLAY AUTOMATON OF A DRUNKARDSold for $4,880 (IBP)
A RARE RENOU MUSICAL AUTOMATON OF LITTLE GIRL WITH PUPPET THEATRESold for $6,210 (IBP)
LARGE COLLECTION OF APPROXIMATELY 500 LOBBY CARDSSold for $2,500 (IBP)
NUMBER PLATE FOR VICTORIAN RAILWAYS 2-8-0 STEAM LOCOMOTIVE J514 Sold for $2,074 (IBP)
11 FEBRUARYleonard
THe MuRRay walkeR COlleCTION
the MUrraY WAlKeR coLLection
A U N I q U E S I N G L E - o W N E R A U C T I o N
The Murray Walker Collection AuctionThursday 14 February 2013, 2pm
PreviewMonday 11 February 2013 10am – 4pmTuesday 12 February 2013 10am – 4pmWednesday 13 February 2013 9am – 8pm
EnquiriesGiles Moon, Head of Collectables(03) 8825 5635 / 0439 493 [email protected]
Leonard Joel have secured the entire studio and home contents of the well
known Australian artist, collector and social historian Murray Walker. Known
to many within the art and museum communities for his detailed and ranging
knowledge of early Australian history Murray has now decided, in his own words,
“that it is time to share the collection”. Murray has been collecting for half a
century and the collection of objects, art, ephemera, memorabilia and bush
furniture presents an eclectic and very personal survey of Murray’s collecting
taste. As a writer and cultural anthropologist Murray can truly lay claim to have
“travelled the world” and immersed himself in so many cultures – in this sense
the collection is very much a “world collection”.
12 leonardFEBRUARY
THe MuRRay walkeR COlleCTION
13 FEBRUARYleonard
a BoUTIqUe SingLe-oWner eState
a bOuTIQue sINGle OwNeR esTaTe
By anton assaad
LEOnARD JOEL HAVE SECURED A BEAUTIFUL ESTATE COLLECTIOn OF FURnISHInGS, ART, SILVER AnD OBJECTS In ARMADALE, VICTORIA FOR PUBLIC AUCTIOn On TUESDAY 5TH FEBRUARY 2013. THE COLLECTIOn InCLUDES BEAUTIFUL PERIOD PORTRAITS, FInE EnGLISH SILVER, ExQUISITE COnTEMPORARY FURnITURE, ITEMS OF LUxURY AnD EVEn A JAGUAR!
14 leonardFEBRUARY
a bOuTIQue sINGle OwNeR esTaTe
15A MURRAY STREET, ARMADALE
A Boutique Single owner Estate AuctionTuesday 5 February 2013 at 6.30pm Auction at Leonard Joel Salerooms, 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra
Preview on residence 15A Murray Street, ArmadaleSaturday 2 February 2013 10am – 4pmSunday 3 February 2013 10am – 4pm
Monday 4 February 2013 10am – 4pm
EnquiriesGuy Cairnduff, The Specialist Collector(03) 8825 5611 / 0407 828 [email protected]
15 FEBRUARYleonard
MODeRN DesIGN
MoDERN DESIGNNoW CoNSIGNING AUSTRALIAN & INTERNATIoNAL PoST WAR FURNITURE, oBJECTS AND ITEMS oF UTILITY FoR MoNTHLY AND SEASoNAL AUCTIoNS IN 2013.
The Modern Design AuctionThursday 7 March 2013, 6.30pm
PreviewSaturday 2 March 2013 10am – 5pmSunday 3 March 2013 10am – 5pmWednesday 6 March 2013 9am – 8pm
EnquiriesEoghan Doherty, Weekly Furniture Manager(03) 8825 [email protected]
BERTJAN POT (BORN 1975)THREE NON RANDOM LIGHTS, DESIGNED 2007 Sold for $1,952 (IBP)
NEIL BURLEY (20th CENTURY)AN ASTOR TRIDENT ENTERTAINMENT UNIT Sold for $854 (IBP)
16 leonardFEBRUARY
asIaN FOCus
Year of the Snake in JApAnese art From some accounts, the 2013 Year of the
Snake is supposed to be about steady progress
and an attention to detail, a kind of ‘if you
build it, they will come’ type scenario. Perhaps
steady progress is what we can expect from the
Japanese antique market both internationally
and domestically this year? After more than a
decade of comparative quiet, 2010 witnessed
some record results in London for Japanese
works in lacquer and netsuke whilst 2012
saw subsequent records tumble for prints
and netsuke. It was suggested a few years ago
that Japanese art was undervalued and this
remains broadly true but in some areas, the
cycle of interest looks to have returned. Works,
especially those from the Meiji Period (1868-
1912) continue to have broad appeal for their
innovative artistry and superb craftsmanship.
Those exceptional pieces whether uncovered
in Australia or overseas will command great
attention from dealers and collectors alike.
Whilst competition for quality Chinese works
is stiffer these days, one can still acquire
serious Japanese Satsuma, Cloisonne, Bronze,
Woodblock Prints or Ivory for relatively
inexpensive prices…but for how long?
Entries are now invited for Asian art and
antiques to be included in our upcoming
Classic Furniture, Objects and Design Sale on
Tuesday evening, 21st May 2013.
Look out for other sales, events and floor talks
throughout the year.
For appointments with Trevor
Fleming contact
Liza Hallam, Specialist Assistant
Classic Furniture, Objects and Design
03 88255626
A CHINESE CARVED IVORY LIDDED POT19TH CENTURY
Sold for $2,196 (IBP)
BY TREVoR FLEMING
17 FEBRUARYleonard
THe weekly
AUSTRALIAN SILVER MOUNTED EMU EGG GOBLET, MAKER’S MARK WILLIAM EDWARDS, CIRCA 1880Sold for $1,220 (IBP)
A 19TH CENTURY MAHOGANY CELLARETSold for $3,660 (IBP)
the WeekLY
VIEWINGEvery Wednesday from 9am to 8pm literally thousands of private clients and members of
the antique and arts trade have made visiting Leonard Joel one of their weekly rituals. All
items offered for sale can be viewed on this day and we have expert specialists available
to answer any questions you might have. The auction can also be viewed on our fully
illustrated website from 10am Wednesday morning.
AUCTIoNEvery Thursday beginning at 10am Leonard Joel auctions the most fascinating and
expansive array of objects, art, design and interior furniture in the country – it is no
exaggeration to state that after 90 years our weekly auction has become a Melbourne
institution that in so many ways retains the original character and atmosphere of a 19th
century auction room.
18 leonardFEBRUARY
speCIalIsT pRINTs
DEBORAH HALPERN (BORN 1957The Dog Jumped Over the Fish 1987screenprint 20/6050 x 63cm$300 - 500
DEAN BOWEN (BORN 1956)Yellow Ibis with Bee 2002screenprint 13/2546 x 58cm$600 - 800
SPECIALIST PRINTS
auCTION 7 MaRCH
aT 11.30pMoNLINE BIDDING
WILL BE AVAILABLE FoR THIS AUCTIoN
The Specialist Print AuctionThursday 7 March 2013, 11.30pm
PreviewWednesday 6 March 2013 9am – 8pm
EnquiriesNicole Salvo, Assistant Head of Art(03) 8825 [email protected]
19 FEBRUARYleonard
ClassIC FuRNITuRe, ObJeCTs & DesIGN
clAssIc fUrnitUre objectS & deSign
Auction Tuesday 21 May 2013Melbourne
Now Consigning
Australian and International Modern Design; European and Australian
Furniture; Porcelain; Silver; Clocks; Australian Decorative Arts; Asian
Works of Art; Single Owner Collections
Entries must close Friday 5 April 2013
Specialist enquiries contact Guy Cairnduff on 03 8825 5611
EntRiEs invitEd CLASSIC FURNITURE oBJECTS & DESIGN
RARE ART NOUVEAU STERLING SILVER AND SILVER GILT COFFEE POT MOUNTED WITH BAROQUE PEARLS AND JADE MAKER’S MARK TIFFANY & CO, CIRCA 1900Sold for $15,600.00 (IBP)
SUIT OF ARMOUR, CIRCA 1900$2,000 - 4,000
20 leonardFEBRUARY
a Day IN THe lIFe OF aN aNTIQues ValueR
“Is it like Antiques Roadshow?” is usually
the first question I am asked when I disclose
my occupation as a valuer of antiques and
fine art for Leonard Joel. While I don’t
think I pose any threat to the household-
name British television series’ host, Michael
Aspel and his contemporaries, I cannot help
but feel incredibly privileged to have the
opportunity to work in such a vibrant and
unique industry.
In ten years, my work as a valuer has taken me
to all the major Australian capital cities and
even as far afield as the wilds of Oxfordshire
in the United Kingdom, trudging through a
snow-covered village with three important
Australian paintings valued in the hundreds
of thousands of dollars bubble wrapped and
held under one arm. But perhaps my most
disarming experience, (pardon the pun), was
a valuation at the property of a client who
kept a loaded pistol - modern, not antique!
- in his bedside drawer. He explained its
presence by saying “I’m allowed to have
this – the police around here are useless!”
then proceeded to empty the weapon of its
bullets and pass it to me to inspect the hand
engraving on the barrel, which he had done
himself!
Asked what a typical day might involve, I
love to reel off lists of the interesting and
unusual things I have seen and valued in
the past few years, such as a pair of French
gold plated presentation revolvers, or a 1964
Corvette Stingray sports car, a suit of armour
- even a seven foot tall taxidermied brown
bear! However, the reality is often much less
glamorous, involving hours spent in the car
each day traversing the city between what
seem to be the same three or four suburbs, or
traveling for miles to a far flung destination,
only to find that the client has forgotten our
appointment and gone out for the day.
But however disparate the reality of working
as a valuer may be in contrast to most peoples’
romanticised notion of the profession,
the thrill of the chase and the promise
of uncovering hidden treasures are two
constants which make working as a valuer
such a challenging and exciting occupation.
One of the unanticipated benefits of working
as an antiques valuer is that it can be
something of a cure for the ‘buying bug’ –
after constant splurges on collectables and art
early in my career, these days so much time
is spent consigning, valuing, cataloguing and
marketing individual items and collections
that once they have been sent off to their new
homes, you almost feel as if you have owned
the items yourself – an unconventional but
undoubtedly economical way of collecting!
The second most frequently asked question is
how I arrive at an auction estimate for an item
or collection. Much like a real estate valuer
will use a sample of property prices in a given
area over a period of time to determine house
prices, an antiques and fine art valuer will also
refer to sale precedents, or ‘prices realised’
at auction to help determine a value for a
specific item on the auction market. Auction
results can be found through various free and
subscription on-line references, but there
is no substitute for continuous first-hand
experience to keep in touch with current
market prices. Leonard Joel’s weekly and
specialist auctions are a valuable resource
for both professional valuers and collectors
interested in gauging current prices. The
weekly auction alone is a microcosm of the
local antiques market, with over 1000 items
offered at public auction every Thursday,
providing a constant indication of current
auction values and tastes amongst collectors.
Including Leonard Joel’s specialist auctions
in the tally brings the total number of items
offered over a year to perhaps the largest
turnover of all of the Australian auctioneers.
The types of valuations offered by Leonard
Joel include estimates for market, or auction
purposes; insurance replacement valuations;
probate; and valuations cultural gifts. Items
can be appraised first-had through house
visits, locally and interstate or from images
forwarded through Leonard Joel’s website or
by mail.
In addition to providing estimates, a valuer
will also nominate auction placement in
any of the five main categories of Leonard
Joel’s weekly or specialist auctions, develop
a marketing plan for specialised items and
collections and assist with managing local
and interstate transport and secure storage
of items prior to auction.
Like any job, brief moments of excitement
are punctuated by periods of tedium and
endless debates with vendors over reserves,
which items are most likely to sell, for how
much and why, but it was the comment of
a family member involved in a particularly
complicated estate valuation recently which
reminded me of the most satisfying part of
working as an antiques valuer - “Thank you
for making a difficult process so easy.”
To enquire about a valuation of your
important object or collection contact:
Monique Le Grand
Valuations and Digital Media Manager
03 8825 5620
a daY in the Life of an AnTIqUes VaLUer BY GUY CAIRNDUFF
HEAD VALUER, LEoNARD JoEL
21 FEBRUARYleonard
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