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 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 unusually large set of seventeen Victorian copper harvest measures,
graduating from four gallons down to half gill. Nearly all with lead verification stamps. Provenance: The collection of John and Valerie Robertson, Auckland.
Realised: $4,600
An impressive and heavy Tiffany style bronze and leaded glass shade Peony floor lamp,
on bamboo bronze column base and with a reticulated metal pigtail finial in matching patina. 660 x 1930mm. Stamp to the foot Tiffany Studio New York 10915. Provenance: The collection of John and Valerie Robertson, Auckland.
Realised: $4,400
A rare and outstanding late 19thC French mahogany cylinder top Bureau du Roi,
in Louis XV style after Jean-Henri Riesener. Imposing size and impressive appearance, complimented by superb mounts and richness in the colouring of the timbers. The marble top with gallery and three small drawers, the base with five small drawers, standing on elegant cabriole legs mounted with term figures and terminating in brass hoof feet, the sides, cylinder and drawer fronts decorated with parquetry. The interior fully fitted. 1300 x 620 x 1270mm. Provenance: The collection of John and Valerie Robertson, Auckland. The collection of Mrs Lala (Lal) Seabrook (1904–1991) of Florence Court, Epsom; sold Cordy's Auction May 1984, lot 326. Featuring on the front cover of catalogue.
Realised: $4,400
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
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
An important and rare German two part coffer for flour and salt, made in Burg zu Groß-Karben, near Frankfurt, in 1616.
The upper section with a frieze of German Gothic script, reading (translated) "Think of it whilst you are young. What would be the profit of it when you are old. Everybody should save as much as he can. All effort would be a trouble when you are old." The pine and oak panelled breakfront coffer is decorated in marquetry and parquetry of mixed fine timbers. The upper section with hinged top with recessed panels and mitred mouldings, strapwork hinges, iron lock with key. The interior with one fitted compartment and lid to the left hand end. The front with Doric columns flanking heraldic architectural panels, and further with flora and fauna. The lower section with two drawers and panels decorated with strapwork. With worked iron handles to drawers and sides. On six large bun feet. 1690 x 815 x 1100mm. Provenance: By descent to Christoph Freiherr von Leonhardi, Warkworth, New Zealand. Thence, the collection of John and Valerie Robertson, Auckland. Purchased at Cordy's Auctions, circa 1988. Lot 577. https://tinyurl.com/KoSwiss https://tinyurl.com/SothUK https://tinyurl.com/DunnOZ
Realised: $4,000