Lot 43, Robert Juniper, 90 x 120cm
Sold at $17,000*, 10/03/2020
Overall, results were good and perhaps a little better than expected, in some spheres, considering the current difficult environment.
However, collectors are always, ‘on the hunt’, for the items they want. (The November 2019 sale also demonstrated this point, with most of the higher-priced items receiving multiple bids.)
The top price was lot 43 at $17,000*, a large to mid-size Juniper oil. Not one of his characteristic landscapes from above, but a view of crabs. No doubt, a subject that resonates with many Western Australians.
Lot one, a street scene of Melbourne got the sale off to a good start, more than tripling its lower estimate to sell at $1,900. The next six lots all then sold at fairly much as expected prices.
A disappointment was the no sale of the significant Durack at lot 19. Depicting an offshore drilling platform, it probably wasn’t a subject for many households but it is an ideal artwork by a noted W.A. artist, for an entity, who has something to do with that industry. It represented good value at $5,000 – 8,000.
Next were a set of Western Australian early to mid-20th-centuryth century watercolours, all of which but one found new homes. The stand-out two being early views of Perth selling at $700* and $800*. Lot 30, the Guy Grey-Smith early self-portrait made $14,000* and lot 65, the portrait of John Forrest eclipsed its upper estimate to make $4,400*. Given their significance, it was disappointing that they received no institutional interest.
Lot 68, a large late spray paint, by Sidney Nolan, with some brushwork, was a good buy at $14,000*. Typical of the works, the late Lord McAlpine adorned the foyers of some of his buildings with.
Overseas artworks saw two Picasso graphics make $9,000* and $8,750*, a MacKenzie Thorpe bronze make, $5,000*, and a small American bronze make $3,000* at lot 88.
The next section, Jewellery typically saw selective bidding with quite a few post-auction negotiated sales. The first 8 items all sold with enthusiastic bidding at mostly above-top estimate prices, but it was sporadic thereafter.
Lot 31, an aquamarine bracelet made $8,500*. Lot 216 the Hermes bracelet multiplied its lower estimate of $250 by four. Jewellery at auction really is good value in comparison to retail.
Rugs and furniture gave mixed results. Basically, if you like 19th-centuryth century style, it will probably never be cheaper.
Lot 266, a cigar humidor received spirited bidding to make $2,200*. Then, some of the books went well but they were the ‘right’ books for the estimate.
Lot 306, a Chanel handbag made $3,750. Definitely, a portal into a new collectable area.
Lot 345, a good Japanese Meiji period bronze at $4,500* was the top oriental item sale. The sale ended with silver, which mostly sold well, within the catalogue estimates.
Lot 392, the Linton dessert spoons were nice, at $1,800* and the often saleroom favourite, saw a rare set of Georg Jenson place card holders at lot 387 make $2,000*. The sale ended with the final lot almost tripling its $350 lower estimate to sell at $1,000*.
We look forward to our next sale, (there are some great items already consigned), which will be online. Images and details, on our home page. Further details to follow.
(*Refers to hammer prices)
