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.
A mid 19thC giltwood forty-six string Gothic ‘Angel’ Harp by Erard,
the top of the decorative hexagonal gilt column carved with angels playing instruments, leading down to an eight-pedal shaped base, featuring two gargoyles, maker's name Sebastian and Pierre Erard and company's London premises 18 Great Marlborough Street, London at the top of harp, painted and gilded finish. Together with a bespoke sturdy wooden crate with iron hinges and handles that was used to transport the harp in 1905 from England to New Zealand for a previous owners grandmother. 920 x 1740mm (harp)
Realised: $8,500
A rare and impressive New Zealand colonial Winks & Hall native timbers wine table
with fine parquetry inlaid top and raised on three turned and fluted legs - a lower tier with inlaid panels framing a removable lidded thread container, the tier with a fluted frieze. All on three splayed legs. Original maker's label. Dia.570mm. H.760mm. Provenance: The Ruth Simon Estate Collection, Sydney. Sold Dunbar Sloane Ltd. November 2013.
Realised: $8,000
An uncommon quality George III walnut flip top bachelors chest,
of small proportions with three graduating drawers, herringbone inlays and brass handles. The hinged top opening forwards to be supported on two sliding rails. The short bracket base with cabriole type legs. 750 x 360 x 770mm.
Realised: $5,500
Anton Seuffert (1815-1887 New Zealand) fine and rare tilt-top specimen card table - the top with central multi-pointed starburst originating from a six-pointed star, on a fine rewarewa parquetry ground with traditional Seuffert scalloped border. The inlay of various N.Z. native timbers. On mottled Kauri tapering barley twist stem and three scroll legs. Dia.555mm. H.760mm.
Realised: $5,500
A large and impressive Edwardian oak long case clock,
the case with two square ionic columns, carved decoration to door, conforming decoration to the hood with 'Sic Transit Hor' (Thus Passes the Hour), carved in the base, the brass dial with decorated quadrants, Roman numerals with Arabic minute chapter ring, the hand absent from the strike/silent dial, seconds dial marked with P.J. Frith, Thelwall 1909. 600 x 400 x 2400mm. Note: This uncommon Town Hall (Tower or similar) clock is probably a one year duration movement, with rare gravity escapement. Possibly not the original dial. A quality item made by a top clockmaker. But requires some refurbishment.
Realised: $5,000
An oak French provincial-style dining table,
plank top, raised on substantial tapering square section legs. Light white wash finish. 2700 x 940 x 790mm.
Realised: $4,000
An impressive Victorian flame mahogany scotch chest - serpentine shape top, with secret frieze drawer, two hat box drawers and two half drawers over three full width drawers, pillars to each side, raised on plinth base. 1290 x 600 x 1185mm.
Realised: $4,000
A 19thC French boulle cabinet,
black marble top with substantial ormolu detail to the base, the brass corbels in the form of women with grapes in their hair, the interior with two shelves, raised on ebonised base with shaped apron. Inlaid brass work requires some attention. 770 x 380 x 1060mm.
Realised: $4,000
Alphonse de Tombay (Belgium 1843-1918) large bronze figure 'Improvisateur',
signed Alp De Tombay, Foundry H. Luppens. H.710mm.
Realised: $4,000
A rare 19thC 1851 William Greener whaling harpoon bow gun,
maker's name and details to the barrel 'Inventor and Sole Maker Birmingham 1851'. Muzzle loading with sighting bar raised on brass pillars, Bronze hinged cover to the single cast iron hammer and two percussion cap striking nipples, evidence of another covering to this now absent. Oak stock. Fired by a lanyard connected to a hidden trigger. The cast iron yoke on spike mount to allow swivel fitting to the bow. L.1270mm. Dia.45mm (barrel). Fairly complete. Note: The Greener gun was regarded as the best of the open whaleboat guns.
Realised: $4,000