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, cameras, costume, ephemera, studio pottery and all manner of items.
A quality c.1900 French Kingwood and ormolu bureau plat,
of good proportions, the serpentine rectangular top with tan pigskin leather, tooled and gilt border, crossbanded in striking Kingwood, the top edges entirely finished with shaped ormolu, decorative cast corners, the encircling frieze of panelled design with parquetry detail, three drawers to the front, the back conforming as false drawers, the curving legs with stylised caryatid (female figured) ormolu mounts. (Some marks to the leather top). W.1725 x D.840 x H.775mm. Note: pieces of this quality are rare on the N.Z. market.
Realised: $8,500
A pair of large and impressive early 19thC cast iron andirons,
in the form of Welsh dragons, aged patina, maker's name to reverse, Charles R. Phillips, Gloucester, purchased from Phillips, Tatton Park, U.K. 460 x 420 x 720mm.
Realised: $8,500
A large and impressive 19thC German upright 'Symphonion' musical disc player,
the two-section decorative mahogany cabinet. The top section with full turned columns flanking the glazed door, enclosing the side wind mechanical player with ten bells, double comb (damage to one tooth) and 54cm (21 inch) disc. Coin operated. The base cabinet with half turned mouldings mounted to the decorative columns flanking the fall front door enclosing nine further discs in fitted slots. H.1910mm. Apparently working. Provenance: From the collection of a prominent New Zealand musical identity.
Realised: $7,500
Pair of Norwegian teak & leather lounge chairs by Rastad & Relling,
#56/2 from the Bambi collection, designed by Rastad & Relling in 1955 and manufactured by Gustav Bahus & Eft, Norway. One strap split on back and some losses of stitching on seat. Stamped 'Made in Norway' to front bar.
Realised: $7,500
A good 18thC Oak rack back dresser,
with scalloped canopy rail fitted with cup hooks, above two open-backed shelves with shaped fronts. The base with three central drawers over panel doors, brass swing handles on winged back plates with conforming escutcheons, on bracket feet. 1970 x 480 x 1790mm.
Realised: $6,000
An Anton Seuffert elaborately inlaid parquetry card table top,
on a Victorian walnut tripod base, the top with central eight-point star-burst framed by expanding geometric patterns in various N.Z. native timbers. Dia.605. In good condition and polish, the tripod base with fine stringing and inlay to the three turned columns tripod platform and three scrolling legs. H.705. Note: it is recorded in the book 'The Seuffert Legacy' by Brian Peet published 2008 that 'many card tables have been discovered with bases of uncertain origin, suggesting the tops were sold separately...'. Provenance: Ex. the estate of Tui Flower.
Realised: $5,500
Queen Victoria 'Highland Journal' personally inscribed to Charles Dickens from Queen Victoria,
an exceptionally rare and unique copy of 'Leaves From The Journal Of Our Life In The Highlands' from 1848 to 1861, edited by Arthur Helps, published by Smith Elder and Co; London, illustrated addition, 1868, personally inscribed on the front end paper; To Charles Dickens Esq. from Victoria Buckingham Palace, March 9. 1870, and also with Dickens book plate to the front pastedown. The front endpaper, fly leaf and editors preface pages are detached. Bound in decorative and pictorial red cloth gilt.
Realised: $5,000
A Victorian brass bound mahogany campaign chest,
in two sections with two short drawers, one fitted as a secretaire with smaller drawers and later red leather tooled writing surface. These above three full width drawers. Recessed brass handles and corner fittings. Ebonised side handles. 1015 x 520 x 1020mm.
Realised: $4,400
An old artillery iron cannon,
the cradle not present, includes two cannon balls of different size. L.1500mm. H.700mm. 'With two old cannon balls, one large weighing 13.3kgs and one smaller. Provenance: Ex the Estate of a prodigious Auckland collector. Originally purchased from Phillips Tatton Park (Lot 401).
Realised: $4,400
An early 20thC Emile Gallé fine nest of four Art Nouveau marquetry inlaid quartetto tables,
the rectangular tops inlaid with flowering plants, foliage, stalk and butterflies, in various stained and natural veneers, each with inlaid signature, 'Galle', raised on upright tree-form supports terminating in splayed feet, the largest table with carved sinuous, interlaced branches to the top. The largest 610 x 390mm. Provenance: Private collection Waikato. Purchased about 20 years ago from a top Auckland dealer.
Realised: $4,300