Antiques & Decorative Arts
Our renowned monthly, market leading auctions include a wide range of periods and styles from antiquities and antiques through to mid-century design. European, English and NZ colonial furnishings accompany the broadest range of collectables, silver, ceramics and decorator’s items curated and catalogued by the leading team of experts in the country. Under this section we offer miscellanea, cameras, glass, Modern Movement, boxes, walking sticks, costume, ephemera, studio pottery and all manner of items.
SILVERED WOOD FRAMED LAVISHLY UPHOLSTERED 'WOLFGANG' SOFA BY DURESTA (UK)
with carved rococo style arms and six large; nine medium and five small loose cushions; labelled 'DURESTA HAND MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN'. 2360 x 1130 x 730mm
Realised: $12,000
A large and impressive bronze of a classical woman,
she stands holding an inverted amphora wearing a sleeveless long dress draped to the ground, her long head scarf falling down her back. H.1620mm.
Realised: $9,500
A rare 19thc quality Louis XV Style French kingwood vitrine by 'Monbro Aîné',
of serpentine form, with shaped single glazed panelled door enclosing two shelves, dramatic kingwood angled veneers and ornate ormolu mounts including full borders to the top, glazed door panel front corners and more. Original key. Stamped maker's name to the reverse 'Monbro Aîné'. 780 x 440 x 1070mm. Note: Georges-Alphonse-Bonifacio Monbro (1807-1884) was the eldest son of the Monbro cabinet-making dynasty. Georges Monbro took over the family business in 1838, adopting the professional name Monbro Aîné (‘eldest’ Monbro). He is regarded as one of the most technically accomplished and stylistically influential cabinetmakers of 19thC France. Monbro Aîné pieces are today typically held in private collections and museums, including Musée d'Orsay, Le Louvre and Musée Condé.
Realised: $8,000
An important collection of letters between the acclaimed French writer Colette (Colette Sidonie-Gabrielle)(1873-1954) - Radclyffe Hall (1883-1943); author of the 1928 ground-breaking novel ‘The Well of Loneliness; and Lady Una Troubridge (1887-1963) - English sculptor and translator of the works of Colette into English,
dating from 1928 to 1940. These include letters from Colette to Una and ‘John’ (Hall), some concerning ‘The Well of Loneliness’, as well as a French publisher asking Hall to write about Colette from an English perspective for a book being about her works. In a later letter to Troubridge, she called the book by Claude Chauvière, ‘un outrage aux yeux et à la politesse’. One letter from George Bernard Shaw concerns the upcoming trial in England surrounding the publication of ‘The Well of Loneliness’, he writes, ‘I have sketched the line of defence more fully...but the danger is that counsel will refuse to adopt it.’ Also, a letter from John Gielgud concerning a possible adaption of her novel. Additionally included are: photos, cheques signed by Hall, her passport, tickets and a programme for the opening night of ‘Le Procès d'Oscar Wilde’ (‘The Trial of Oscar Wilde’) at Theatre de L’Oeuvre and many other items. Note: Radclyffe Hall (Marguerite Radclyffe-Hall) was an English writer best known for the groundbreaking lesbian work ‘The Well of Loneliness’ (1928) which was banned in 1928 in Britain as ‘obscene libel’ and not published for 20 years. Lady Una Troubridge (Margot Elena Gertrude Taylor) was an English sculptor and translator – best known for her translation into English, of the works of Colette, who was one of France’s leading writers in the first half of the 20thC. Provenance: [Lady Una Troubridge by bequest to friends Nicola Rossi-Lemeni and his wife Operatic Soprano, Virginia Zeani, 1963, thence by bequest to the vendors in the 1990s. Full inventory of contents available at enquiries@cordys.co.nz
Realised: $7,500
LGE ANTIQUE CARVED POLYCHROME RELIGOUS STATUE H.1200mm. On short stand. 1330mm...
Provenance: Gifted to Mercy Hospice by an Auckland Gentleman returning to his country of origin, proceeds to Mercy Hospice.
Realised: $7,000
A very large and heavy cast bronze sculpture of a young farming couple seated upon a log bench,
their attention drawn to each other, he has an open book to his lap and legs crossed, she holds a basket. The bench modelled as split logs. 1250 x 900 x 1070mm.
Realised: $6,500
A Victorian mahogany and brass bound split campaign chest,
three small drawers over three full width, with brass military inset handles, makers Hobbs & Co. London marked to all drawer locks, raised on bun feet. 990 x 480 x 1050mm. Note: Hobbs & Co. were noted as highly regarded makers, famous for producing campaign furniture.
Realised: $6,500
An important and early 20thC rare hand-knotted carpet attributed to the Donegal Carpet Workshops Killybegs - Ireland,
This exceptional carpet, made in the Turkish Oushak style, features a luminous blue field adorned with star medallions, stylised floral güls, and geometric motifs. The terracotta border conforms with the central composition, incorporating matching güls, medallions, and angular forms. 341 x 332cm Crafted in the famed workshops of Donegal Carpet established in 1898 by Scottish textile innovator Alexander Morton in the town of Killybegs, County Donegal, the rug reflects a deliberate cultural synthesis. Inspired by the Oushak tradition of western Anatolia, known for its soft palettes, sweeping medallions, and generous spacing. This fine rug rather than being a direct imitation of Oushak rugs reveals the nuanced influence of Irish dye work, which imbues the traditionally inspired Oushak vibrant palette with a softer, more subdued character. The result is a distinctive fusion of Turkish design and motifs with Irish textile artistry Exhibited/Cat. Note: For a similar example see: https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2022/arts-of-the-islamic-world-india-including-fine-rugs-and-carpets/a-donegal-carpet-killybegs-ireland-early-20th?ref=abelson.ie
Realised: $6,000
19thC walnut cased polyphon,
highly decorative in two parts, the top contains the 'music box’ with ornate pediment, columns and carved detail, the base cabinet (a 2010 addition) holds the stand/disc container, contents of which are five playable discs, with conforming columns and decoration, a drawer to the base of box contains the winder/crank handle, box door key, five penny pieces.
Realised: $6,000
cantilevered steel flat bar design with black leather upholstery. Provenance: Purchased to match the previous lot
a granite dining table. The table commissioned by Ron Sang in about 2000 to suit our vendor's parent's house that Ron Sang had designed - the chairs purchased to match. Note: This set of chairs matching the chairs that Ron had in his own home - sold by Art & Object 19th March 2023. ($10,966)
Realised: $6,000