LEONARD, issue 66, Dec-Jan 2018

ISSUE 66 DEC - JAN 2018

The Ashes at Leonard Joel MELBOURNE

|

SYDNEY

|

LONDON

Auction Calendar Luxury Thursday 30 November 2017 – 2pm

MELBOURNE

The Schlager Collection Monday 4 December 2017 – 6.30pm MELBOURNE

Sporting Memorabilia Thursday 7 December 2017 – 10am MELBOURNE

Specialist Prints Thursday 7 December 2017 – 11.30am MELBOURNE

Collectables Thursday 7 December 2017 – 2pm MELBOURNE

International Design & Applied Arts Wednesday 6 December 2017 – 6pm MELBOURNE

The Heitlinger Collection of Aboriginal Art Tuesday 27 February 2018 – 6.30pm

MELBOURNE

Jewels Monday 19 February 2018 – 6.30pm

MELBOURNE

Fine Art Tuesday 20 February 2018 – 6.30pm

MELBOURNE

Luxury Wednesday 21 February 2018 – 6pm

MELBOURNE

Collectables Wednesday 28 February 2018 – 6pm

MELBOURNE

Thursday’s at Leonard Joel Furniture & Interiors – 10am Jewellery & Wristwatches – 10.30am Art Salon – 11.30am Objects & Collectables – 12pm MELBOURNE

Front Cover A RARE 1909 SILVER ASHES URN CORNELIUS SAUNDERS & FRANCIS SHEPHERD / CHESTER / CIRCA 1906 $50,000 - 70,000 Sporting & Memorabilia

121 A REGENCY MAHOGANY LONGCASE CLOCK $1,500 - 2,000 The Schlager Collection Auction Monday 4 December, 6.30pm

Auction Thursday 7 December, 11am

2

leonardjoel.com.au

Our Expertise

Since 1919...

MANAGING DIRECTOR & PROPRIETOR John Albrecht 03 8825 5619 | john.albrecht@leonardjoel.com.au

Auction Specialists PRIVATE COLLECTIONS

Welcome to the Summer edition of Leonard; a review of the year that was, some of our favourite pieces and a glimpse at 2018.

John Albrecht, National Head of Collections 03 8825 5619 | john.albrecht@leonardjoel.com.au Robert Williams, Head of Sydney Collections & Office 02 9362 9045 | robert.williams@leonardjoel.com.au FINE ART Sophie Ullin, National Head of Department 03 8825 5609 | sophie.ullin@leonardjoel.com.au JEWELS

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of our clients, the sellers, buyers and those who simply like to browse the many rare and interesting items that we see pass through our doors.

John D’Agata, National Head of Department 03 8825 5605 | john.dagata@leonardjoel.com.au INTERNATIONAL DESIGN & APPLIED ARTS Chiara Curcio BA, Head of Department 03 8825 5609 | chiara.curcio@leonardjoel.com.au MODERN DESIGN Anna Grassham, Head of Department 03 8825 5637 | anna.grassham@leonardjoel.com.au COLLECTABLES Allison Therrien, Manager

We wish you all a healthy, happy festive season and we look forward to welcoming you back to Leonard Joel in 2018.

03 8825 5625 | allison.thierry@leonardjoel.com.au LUXURY Bethany McGougan, Manager 03 8825 5645 | bethany.mcgougan@leonardjoel.com.au SPORTING MEMORABILIA Max Williamson, Head of Department 03 8825 5643 | max.williamson@leonardjoel.com.au

Interiors & Jewellery Specialists ART SALON Lucy Foster, Art Specialist 03 8825 5630 | lucy.foster@leonardjoel.com.au

FURNITURE Shawn Mitchell, Manager 03 8825 5609 | max.williamson@leonardjoel.com.au JEWELLERY Bethany McGougan, Manager 03 8825 5645 | bethany.mcgougan@leonardjoel.com.au OBJECTS, BOOKS & COLLECTABLES Maxine Winning, Manager 03 8825 5604 | maxine.winning@leonardjoel.com.au

Valuations Caroline Tickner, Head of Department 03 8825 5604 | maxine.winning@leonardjoel.com.au

Marketing & Communications Nicole Kenning, Manager 03 8825 5620 | nicole.kenning@leonardjoel.com.au Maria Rossi, Finished Artist Adam Obradovic, Senior Photographer Joseph Hammond, Photographer

119 A RARE ROYAL WORCESTER JEWELLED COUNTESS OF DUDLEY CUP AND SAUCER, CIRCA 1875-77 $4,000-6,000 The Schlager Collection Auction Monday 4 December, 6.30pm

Sale Rooms MELBOURNE 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra, Melbourne VIC 3141 Telephone: 03 9826 4333 SYDNEY 39 Queen Street, Woollahra, Sydney NSW 2025 Telephone: 02 9362 9045

leonardjoel.com.au

3

OPERA AUSTRALIA

Costumes and Memorabilia EVENING AUCTION FRIDAY 30 JUNE 2017 DAY AUCTION SATURDAY 1 JULY 2017

i

4

leonardjoel.com.au

2017 The end of year Leonard issue gives me

an international standard and highly

last great art movement of the 20th

these days, a rare forum within which

a focused opportunity to madly review

focused vintage Seiko watch collection

century�. While in December this month

new and old tastes not only cohabit but

our private collections over the year

and you have at Leonard Joel in 2017

the family of the late cricketing great

also collaborate with a fresh collecting

that was. For me the range, contrasts

a splendid array of collecting directions

Monty Noble have entrusted us with

spirit. In 2018 I have no doubt that these

and varying scales of our auctions is

unbound by traditional notions of what

arguably the most sacred cricketing

auction adventures will continue in new

what I find so endlessly fascinating.

should and should not be collected. And

trophy; The Ashes urn of 1909. These

and interesting directions and I would

Great collections like the estate of

I cannot help but bookend this year with

two auctions that began and will end

like to thank all our clients and friends

James Fairfax, that garnered interest

our first major collection from the year

our 2017 year, for me anyway, are the

for making 2017 another wonderful year

from all corners of the globe, left me

and our last. In February the great Dutch

perfect metaphor for what private

of celebrating collections and the family

with the clear impression that new and

art collector Thomas Vroom entrusted

collections are all about at Leonard Joel

stories that accompanied them.

established collecting is now co-existing

us with his collection of contemporary

in the 21st century; an adventurous and

in a more interesting fashion than say

aboriginal art; an art movement that

harmonious mix of avant-garde and

two decades ago. Contrast this with

Robert Hughes described as “the

highly traditional collecting habits and,

JOHN ALBRECHT, MANAGING DIRECTOR LEONARD JOEL

leonardjoel.com.au

5

PRIVATE COLLECTIONS

Melbourne Auction Sporting Memorabilia Thursday 7 December 10am 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra 3141

6

Melbourne Viewing Saturday 2 December 10am-4pm Sunday 3 December 10am-4pm Wednesday 6 December 9am-8pm

Enquiries Max Williamson, Head of Sporting Memorabilia 03 8825 5643 max.williamson@leonardjoel.com.au

leonardjoel.com.au

CELEBRATING COLLECTIONS GREAT & (SOMETIMES VERY) SMALL At Leonard Joel collections come

collecting there!

is it the only Ashes trophy ever to be

perhaps, Bradman’s “baggy green”.

in every imaginable shape, size and

In this issue of Leonard there is one very

offered for public auction, it is also only

On Thursday 7 December at Leonard

category but there is something about

small piece that is not just pleasing in

one of nine, yes nine in the world! Three

Joel we will have the honour of

tiny objects that captures a certain

its tiny scale but enriched with its own

are housed at Lord’s, including the

concluding our viewing and celebration

aspect of one’s imagination. Small

history; both personal and public. Add

original; the one that I remember that

of this exquisite and highly important

things in many ways are mesmerising

to that it’s unique status and its mythical

was further miniaturised and placed as

sporting trophy with its public auction

and captivating; the detailed dolls

sporting story and we have one very

a child’s surprise toy in breakfast cereal

when it will pass from one collection,

house laden with domestic detail is one

small treasure indeed. Created in 1909,

packs in the mid 1970s. And the others?

the Noble family, to another and its

of those classic miniature pursuits that

presented to an Australian cricket

Two are missing, three are housed at

celebration will be complete.

we are all familiar with. Psychology tells

captain; a famous all-rounder and held

the Melbourne Cricket Club, and the

us that we are attracted to the small

unseen in that same family for now

last one is now resting in a Leonard Joel

John Albrecht

because it nourishes our desire for

108 years, you might well ask does it

safe until our viewing and celebration

Managing Director

control in a world beyond our control.

get any more special than that? And

begins of this iconic sporting object that

But I’ll rest the psychoanalysis of

the answer is “yes”, because not only

is only surpassed in its significance by,

leonardjoel.com.au

7

THE SCHLAGER COLLECTION

8

leonardjoel.com.au

A Connoisseur of Fine Jewels: An Interview with Ray Schlager Ahead of the auction of The Schlager Collection on Monday 4 December, we spent a few moments chatting with Ray Schlager about his career and his favourite finds…

WHEN DID YOU FIRST BECOME

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE PIECE

DO YOU HAVE A CAREER DEFINING

WHAT FOR YOU, MAKES A PIECE OF

INTERESTED IN JEWELLERY?

THAT YOU HAVE DISCOVERED OR

MOMENT?

FINE JEWELLERY?

I began working for the renowned

ACQUIRED?

There are so many! I have been fortunate

For me it’s always the box, always.

jewels house, Kozminsky in the 1950s

I do, and it’s a small, silver and gilt

to meet so many interesting people;

I am fascinated by history, design,

as a restorer, and one day I was given

sacrament box. It is Italian, probably

Gregory Peck bought that very first gold

construction and architecture and when

a handcrafted gold-box – its clasp had

16th century and exquisitely engraved.

box I worked on at Kozminsky – he was

all of these elements combine, that’s

broken, which is often the case with

The priest would have taken it out to say

here in Australia filming a movie with

when a thing of beauty is made.

such boxes. The box was decorated

Mass and give Communion to workers

Ava Gardner, and there have been many

The Russian gold box in this auction

with delicate flowers, each of which

in the fields. You can see the history,

moments like that.

is a perfect example of that; the box

had been cut from different coloured

the human touch over the years in the

But overall, I feel that becoming a dealer

has a fascinating history, its design,

diamonds, and I never knew before then

wearing of the gilt interior.

enabled me to see and acquire so many

construction and architecture is of its

that anything quite as beautiful as that

beautiful pieces, some of which I have

time and its heritage, and I love that.

box existed. From that moment, I knew

kept for years, until the right client

what I wanted to do, and my career path

came along to pass them on to, some

The Schlager Collection will be offered

was set.

of which I have bought with a specific

at auction on Monday 4 December at

But I have never planned, I have always

client in mind. If I had not been a dealer,

6.30pm.

lived in the moment and grasped

I might only acquired a few pieces and

opportunities as they arose or were of

perhaps kept them forever.

interest to me.

leonardjoel.com.au

9

FINE ART

CHEONG SOO PIENG (Singaporean, 1917-1983) Blue Atmosphere 1966 oil on canvas 65 x 100.5cm Sold for $99,200 IBP

A Year in Review

In another dynamic year at Leonard which mirrors with the current trajectory October heralded the staging of our auction house and setting a place in Joel, we had the pleasure of offering for global art market trends.

inaugural Women Artists Auction. It her top 10 records. The response to this

significant blue chip works of art in our On another front, those concerned showcased and cast much need light themed sale was overwhelming and we seasonal Fine Art sales that included about the recovery in the Aboriginal art on an inspiring gamut of work created are looking forward to offering further Arthur

Streeton’s

lilac-toned

Night market had such worries extinguished by recognised pioneers of modernism editions of this and similarly curated

Scene which sold for $84,000, Clarice with our February auction of the Thomas through to artists who had long been auctions in 2018.

Beckett’s subtle Yacht at Sunset, which Vroom Collection. A sensational result relegated to the shadows of time. Many realised $47,000, and Cheong Soo of 94% lots sold by volume and 87% records were broken in this focused and Sophie Ullin Pieng’s remarkable Blue Atmosphere, by value that realised $902,507 is clear intimate auction with Ethel Spowers’ National Head of Art which sold to an international telephone demonstration of the re-energised and celebrated linocut, Wet Afternoon 1930 sophie.ullin@leonardjoel.com.au bidder for $99,200.

maturing of contemporary Aboriginal fetching one of the highest results for 03 8825 5609 | 0407 360 513

While there is still an undeniable art, our youngest sector of the art market this print at $54,500 and Dorrit Black’s demand

for

works

by

celebrated, and is something to be celebrated. In rare Air Travel 2:Coconut Palms 1947-49 Emily Sinclair

traditional Australian artists, we have this new era we shall all be keeping our was snapped up at $47,000, eclipsing Art Specialist been galvanised by the rising interest in eyes peeled to see which artists the new the result for the sale of her oil, (Portrait emily.sinclair@leonardjoel.com.au contemporary and international works, collector begins to favour.

of Iberia Dancer) 1944 at another 02 9362 9045

ENTRIES INVITED FOR FINE ART AUCTION MARCH 2018 10

leonardjoel.com.au

VENICE BY SOPHIE ULLIN Leonard Joel’s Head of Art, Sophie Ullin is a regular visitor to Venice, having been part of the Australia Council tour group to the city for the past twenty years.

Earlier this year, as many of you know, Sophie published The Venice Book with Thames & Hudson, recently reviewed by The Design Files.

Here, Sophie shares her top tips for visiting Venice during the Biennale, exclusively with Leonard readers. Enjoy and get your tickets booked for the next one!

Five things I love to do when I am in Venice for the Biennale…

Della Dogana where I often bear witness to provocative, pointed and extravagant visions by artists from the contemporary art vault of Francois Pinault. Ultimately though, I love nothing more than to

1. Always near the top of my list is people

immerse myself in the intriguing, twilight

watching. Particularly during the Biennale

lit wunderkammer better known as

Vernissage when the artworld fraterntiy

Museo Fortuny.

descends on the island and dazzles in all its finery and dapper threads, soars in its

4. Peeking into Palazzos and finding secret

sartorial flights of fantasy and maximises

Gardens are one of the true pleasures

minimalist cool. It is a Style Spectacle par

and rewards when exploring Venice,

excellence with a dash of peacocks and

whether by default or design. The private

eccentrics for good measure!

residence of Palazzo Nani Bernardo has the rare honour of boasting a large and

2. The word Murano usually conjures up

most

images of fabulous antique chandeliers

behind the salty waters of the grand

and classic mid-century glassware along

canal façade. The undulating floor of

with cool contemporary designed objects

the family quarters perhaps more clearly

d’art.

attests to the unique circumstances of the

A few years ago Glasstress introduced

lagoon city and are a salient reminder of

an

our

the ever present challenges and burden

understanding of Murano glass with

of maintenance borne by its custodians,

the aim of extending a dialogue into

laden with cultural responsibility. We

the rarified and often conceptual realm

visitors can do our bit by treading lightly

of contemporary art. This bi- annual

in this ancient and precious city.

unexpected

dynamic

to

delightful

Renaissance

garden

exhibition at Palazzo Berengo brings together Muranese masters with leading

5. To mark each visit, I like to take home

21st century artists as they navigate a

with me a little piece of material Venice

foreign medium and harness traditional

to accompany the spirit and resonant

techniques to create a contemporary

thoughts of this magical place. This year

expression in glass. This year amongst

I visited the century-old Fortuny Factory

the artists invited to participate were Ai

showroom on Giudecca where every

Wei Wei, Erwin Wurm and Jake & Dinos

surface is testament to the power and

Chapman.

beauty of the textural – from the terrazzo floors, to the silk fabric walls and elegantly

3. In Venice, I blissfully bathe myself

upholstered furniture. The fabric library

across the tides and taste of art; I

with its colour-coded shelves so appeals

bookend my exploration of La Biennale

to the eye it is worthy of being an art

d’Arte’s twin beacon venues, the Giardini

installation in itself.

and

to

covered notebook is set to be the keeper

This

of secrets for my next cultural literary

Arsenale,

with

pilgramages

the city’s permanent museums.

always entails a visit to the Gallerie dell’

My Fortuny fabric

adventure…

Accademia where I pay homage to the masters of Renaisance art and the Punta

leonardjoel.com.au

Sophie Ullin

11

INTERNATIONAL DESIGN& APPLIED ARTS PABLO PICASSO ‘COLOMBRE BRILLANTE’ EARTHENWARE PLATTER, FOR MADOURA, 1953 $5,000-$8,000

The Beach House Begola Our final International Design & Applied with a special badge of the Royal Family Arts auction of the year takes place on and appointed him ‘Sculptor to the King 6 December in Melbourne and features & Queen of Italy’. highlights

from

both

Sydney

and Bessi was a director at the Art School of

Melbourne private collections including Volterra from 1891 to 1910 and taught contents from The Beach House Begola, there until his death. This institution is from the estate of the late James Fairfax considered the only art school worldwide AC, A Gentleman’s Eclectic Interior and

for alabaster art. It was established

Professor Giuseppe Bessi studied at because, near Volterra, natural alabaster the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence has been mined and processed since at at a pivotal time for Italian marble least the sixth century BC. neoclassicism

and

Art

Nouveau Bessi’s Alabaster artworks were exhibited

sculpture. In 1879 Bessi founded his and awarded at the World’s Fair in Paris, own workshop in Volterra and mainly Turin and St. Louis. His works were sold made busts and statues of alabaster, and internationally

with

great

economic

important

museums

various marbles. Bessi is regarded as one success. of the most important representatives Today,

many

of the Italian Salon Sculpture. During have works by Bessi, including the St. an exhibition Bessi opened in Rome Petersburg Hermitage. However, the in 1907 H.M.Queen of Italy made a largest collection of his works can be personal inspection, during which she found in the Museum of Volterra, the secured several original Bessi works. H.M Ecomuseo dell’Alabastro. the Queen was so delighted with the In appreciation of his achievements, a exhibition that she honoured the artist street was named after him in Florence.

AUCTION 6 DECEMBER 2017 AT 6PM

12

leonardjoel.com.au

‘SOGNO DI SPOSA’ AN IMPORTANT AND SEMINAL MARBLE FIGURAL LAMP ‘SOGNO DI SPOSA’, SCULPTED BY PROFFESOR GIUSEPPE BESSI (ITALIAN 1857-1922), LATE 19TH CENTURY, 2.4m high $20,000-$40,000

Our final International Design & Applied Arts auction of the year features highlights from both Sydney and Melbourne private collections including contents from The Beach House Begola, from the estate of the late James Fairfax AC.

The Eclectic Interior Staying true to the modern Bohemian style the contents of this Melbourne interior gracefully fuse traditional art and sculpture with modern furniture and lighting in a boutique collection that showcases quality Biedermeier furniture complimented by African tribal textiles and modern Italian lighting.

Melbourne Enquiries Chiara Curcio Head of International Design & Applied Arts 03 8825 5635 | 0412 653 315 chiara.curcio@leonardjoel.com.au Sydney Enquiries Robert Williams Head of Sydney Collections & Office 02 9362 9045 | 0403 142 106 robert.williams@leonardjoel.com.au

120 A MODERNIST CHROME FRAMED & HIDE UPHOLSTERED ARMCHAIR $300-500

A Private Collection from Newcastle

A Private Collection of Antiquities

A ROMAN MARBLE MOSAIC PANEL, CIRCA 4TH CENTURY A.D $10,000-$15,000

A RARE AND UNUSUAL 17TH CENTURY CHESTNUT LOW DRESSER, CIRCA 1670 $2,600-$3,600

leonardjoel.com.au

13

MODERN DESIGN

MATTEO THUN & ANDREA LERA ‘STILL LIGHT’ FOR BIEFFEPLAST ITALY C 1985 PRICE ON APPLICATION

Enquiries Anna Grassham Modern Design Specialist 03 8825 5637 | 0415 076 480 anna.grassham@leonardjoel.com.au

CONSILIO PURCHASE ONLINE 1 - 15 DECEMBER 2017

14

leonardjoel.com.au

A MOMENT WITH…ANNA GRASSHAM HEAD OF MODERN DESIGN AT LEONARD JOEL DESCRIBE A TYPICAL ‘DAY IN

rare pieces that find there way to me.

THE LIFE OF’ A MODERN DESIGN SPECIALIST

the ground breaking designs that were to say that for me, a true sense of style part of an era which was so predominantly involves a collection of genres. It is not

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE

Running the Modern Design department DESIGNER AND / OR PERIOD OF

about strong, graphic shapes and colours. unheard of to mix different eras, the most The 80s is definitely my favourite.

interesting

spaces

cover

everything!

at Leonard Joel is a job that requires DESIGN?

Consider where items will fit into your

passion and endurance! Luckily, I have After the 1950s ad 60s there was a huge WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER

living environment, don’t be afraid to

plenty of both! The lead up to any major shift in simplistic forms that transformed A NEW COLLECTOR OF MODERN

be creative despite what is supposedly

auction is the most rigorous, making furniture and its relationship with space. DESIGN?

in fashion. Love your space, whether it

sure photography is perfect, marketing I love Italian designers such as Vico It is hard to offer advice on collecting, be a Victorian home or a brand new off is on schedule, highlights brochures are Magistretti, Ettore Sottsass and Achille because as individuals we all have the plan apartment. Find pieces that will distributed and the online catalogue is Castiglioni; all pioneers of grand designs different tastes. However I do believe stand out, don’t be afraid to try something looking perfect.

that are still in production today.

that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I new, you might just be surprised by what

The most rewarding part for me is the I am also in awe of the modernist am passionate about art, and despite not you can create! collection of pieces for auction. It takes movement, especially the Bauhaus and being trained in the field, I know what I me around three months to gather the the women designers that paved their like instinctively and that’s the advice I CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE required minimum 300 lots from at least way in what was then, very much a always offer – believe in your instincts. FORTHCOMING ONLINE SALE AT 40 different vendors. Every auction, I man’s world. Eileen Grey and Charlotte It is what you are drawn too – never let LEONARD JOEL, CONSILIO? am blown away by the pieces we find: Perriand worked closely with famous price or provenance stand in your way. Yes, we’re very excited to announce an some are from regular vendors, others designers such as Le Corbusier and Mies Collector or not, what you love will international online collection of the are discoveries from house visits and Van Der Rohe. It is wonderful that these make you happy; that’s the wonder and finest furniture and lighting with beautiful, valuations, and every now and then a new women are now recognised as important excitement of art and design.

rare and interesting pieces from famous

client who has heard about our auctions designers of their time, stepping outside

designers such as Arne Vodder, Hans

calls me and we discover they have a the male dominated world that often IS THERE A PARTICULAR PIECE OR

Wegner, Matteo Thun & Lera. The items

special piece that they knew nothing stifled them during the early 20th century. STYLE THAT STANDS THE TEST OF

will be available for purchase online from

about. That’s what makes my job so However, everything about the 80s TIME?

1 - 15 December.

great, the variety and the undiscovered, inspires me: the music, the fashion and Despite individual passions, I would have

leonardjoel.com.au

15

SPECIALIST PRINTS

3023 BORIS BUCAN (Croatian, born 1947) A suite of 30 screen-prints, 1981-1990 PROVENANCE: Acquired directly from the artist in Zagreb, Croatia c.1990 Private collection, Melbourne $30,000-40,000 Illustrated 1 of 30 Rosa Lavin- Zagreb Fashion Show, Madrid 1981

PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF PURPOSE-DRIVEN DESIGN Boris Bucan’s works were once indivisible art. Bucan regarded his posters as artwork¬ the borders of many of his posters. This is from street culture in Zagreb, Croatia.

in and of themselves, irrespective of their the fascinating period in which our suite

Exhibited almost exclusively in public intended purpose.

of works fall: an exclusive set of smaller

spaces, the iconic images and graphics His attitude toward ‘commercial’ art was 40x40cm screenprints featuring the major of this consummate designer and visual prominent in many of his early exhibitions. shows Bucan covered in the late 1980s. One communicator captured the eyes of many, He played with the concept of public of these was the opening of the Malthouse establishing poster art as a legitimate form communication, devoting an exhibition Theatre here in Melbourne in 1990. of expression in the 1970s.

to the use of traffic signs and repurposed The local vendor of this exceptional suite of

After some years of experimentation, Bucan logos. As his style continued to evolve, his works first met Bucan at the Malthouse, and produced his inaugural poster work for the works became more distinct and assertive; later again in Croatia, where she acquired Student Center Gallery. Achieving instant showcasing bold, sprawling figures housed this collection directly from the artist, a acclaim, he secured a residency with the by elaborate text in work that was often personally curated catalogue.

Gallery of Contemporary Art in Zagreb, considered ‘tongue-in-cheek’.

Fans of formative graphic design will be

where he was afforded uninhibited artistic “Bucan’s basic communicative idea was delighted by this exceptional collection control to create and redefine his distinctive paraphrase and irony,” writes Fedja Vukic in from an icon of public communication. style.

A Century of Croatian Design (1998). “His

Commissioned

to

design

posters

for witty ideas were always based on his belief Lucy Foster

musical institutions and galleries, Bucan’s that humour can replace seriousness and Art Specialist commitment to bold expressionism was enables a better communication with the often a point of contention between himself spectator and recipient of the message.” and the artists he represented. He was Text was an essential component in Bucan’s originally disinterested in graphic design, early works, but in the 1980s he distinctly drawn instead towards pop and minimalist changed course, pushing the text out into

Melbourne Auction Thursday 7 December 11.30am 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra 3141

16

Melbourne Viewing Wednesday 6 December 9am-8pm

Melbourne Enquiries Lucy Foster, Art Specialist 03 8825 5630 lucy.foster@leonardjoel.com.au

leonardjoel.com.au

LUXURY Our final Luxury auction of the year features classic handbags, suitcases and wallets

by Chanel, bags, purses and cases Louis Vuitton as well as other pieces by Christian Dior, Celine, Bottega Veneta, Chloe and Marc Jacobs.

Other

highlights

include

Birkin

and

Kelly bags, a vintage suitcase and a rare Constance bag (illustrated) by the inimitable Hermès.

Designed in 1969 by Catherine Chaillet, the Hermès Constance epitomises French elegance and style, with minimal lines and the iconic ‘H’ clasp. Alongside the Birkin and the Kelly, it remains one of the most sought after handbags in the world.

Place your bids online for the 30 November auction, as these pieces will go quickly!

79 A CONSTANCE HANDBAG

BY HERMES $25,000 - 30,000

Enquiries Bethany McGougan 03 8825 5645 bethany.mcgougan@leonardjoel.com.au

ENTRIES INVITED FOR LUXURY AUCTION 2018

leonardjoel.com.au

17

SPORTING MEMORABILIA

61 MONTY NOBLE’S 15CT GOLD VESTA CASE, ENGRAVED ON ONE SIDE “SOUVENIR OF TENTH AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN 1899, M.A.NOBLE FROM C.W.LAVER”, AND ON OTHER SIDE WITH AUSTRALIAN COAT-OF-ARMS. $1,500-2,000

A VICTORIAN STERLING SILVER ASHES PRESENTATION TRAY MARTIN HALL & CO. / SHEFFIELD / CIRCA 1880 $80,000 - 100,000

Melbourne Auction Thursday 7 December at 10am 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra 3141

18

Melbourne Viewing Saturday 2 December, 10am-4pm Sunday 3 December, 10am-4pm Wednesday 6 December, 9am-8pm

Melbourne Enquiries Max Williamson Head of Sporting Memorabilia 03 8825 5643 max.williamson@leonardjoel.com.au

leonardjoel.com.au

Two historic pieces of Ashes memorabilia,

for auction following the announcement

an engraved silver tray, presented to

of the 1909 urn, is another important

the President of the Melbourne Cricket

piece of Ashes history and is estimated

Club on England’s defeat of Australia

at $80,000-100,000.

in the very first ‘Ashes’ Test series in

The original urn remained with the Bligh

1882-83 and the Ashes Urn, presented

family until it was, at Bligh’s request,

to Australia’s Cricket Captain, Monty

bequeathed to Lord’s Cricket Club where

Noble on his team’s victory over England

it remains on display.

in 1909, lead our inaugural Sporting

Over the years, several urns were created

Memorabilia Auction on 7 December.

to symbolise the mythical ‘Ashes’ and

The Ashes Urn is the pinnacle for any

held aloft by victorious teams (further

Cricketing Memorabilia collector and

details below). However, the Monty

this particular urn, being one of only

Noble urn, which was presented to him

three we know of still in private hands,

by Ivo Bligh’s wife, Lady Darnley, is one

is the most important piece of Cricketing

of only three known remaining urns in

Memorabilia to appear on the market for

private hands (two of which are on loan

many, many years.

to Melbourne Cricket Club Museum).

Although it stands at only approximately

Since the 1998–99 Ashes series, a

10cm high, the Ashes Urn has, since

Waterford Crystal representation of the

its inception, been the most fiercely

Ashes urn has been presented to the

contested trophy in Test cricket, and

winners of The Ashes series as the official

represents the enduring competition

trophy.

between Australia and England.

The

The ‘Ashes’ originates from the 1882

includes other trophies and silverware

Test series when Australia played and

commemorating significant moments in

defeated England – the first defeat for

his career, the highlights of which are a

England on home soil - and journalist

magnificent gold vesta case (1899) and

Reginald Brooks published his now

an engraved silver tea service (1908), as

famous obituary in The Sporting Times

well as original team photographs.

(illustrated below), mourning the ‘death’

We look forward to welcoming to you

of ‘English Cricket and stating the ‘Ashes’

the viewing of this exciting auction.

Monty

Noble

Collection

would be taken to Australia.

Later that year Ivo Bligh captained

Max Williamson

England’s team on their tour to Australia,

Head of Sporting Memorabilia

also

111 1909 SILVER ASHES URN, WITH INITIALS “M.A.N.” ENGRAVED ON FRONT, WOODEN BASE WITH “1909” SILVER PLAQUE, HALLMARKED CHESTER 1906. $50,000-70,000

SPORTING MEMORABILIA

THE ASHES AT LEONARD JOEL

and the British media dubbed the tour a quest to regain ‘The Ashes’.

England won the Test series 2-1 and a group of Melbourne ladies, including his future wife, Florence Morphy and her companion, Lady Clarke, presented Bligh with a small urn inside a velvet bag, said to contain ‘The Ashes’.

In

turn,

Captain

Bligh

presented

President of the Melbourne Cricket Club, Sir William Clarke and his wife, Lady Clarke with a silver tray engraved, ‘a tribute to friendship and esteem.’ The tray, which was offered to Leonard Joel

leonardjoel.com.au

19

COLLECTABLES

4 A RARE BAMBOO CARVING OF A TRADITIONAL DAYAK LONGBOAT AND PADDLERS $800-1,200

1 A DAYAK FEMALE FUNERARY STATUE $700-900

COLLECTABLES GOES TRIBAL Kicking off our December Collectables

boats. Most are made out of a single

juata (crocodile), feature prominently

well as an eclectic array of Collectables

auction will be a small private collection

block of wood, and carved with a hand

in the collection. The larger statues

including vintage toys, maritime and

of Dayak figures and carvings, sourced

forged chisel and wooden mallet.

were carved for traditional kwangkai

scientific instruments, antique maps,

over a 30 year period in Indonesia.

‘Dayak’ is a collective term used to

(secondary funerary rituals) ceremonies,

rock and roll memorabilia, and original

During this time, the collector regularly

describe the native people of Borneo,

while others were used during guguq

London tube station signs from the

spent time in traditional Dayak Benuaq

made up of over 200 distinct tribes. As

taung (going through the year), a ritual

1960s and 70s.

villages, and a number of the statues

animists, Dayaks are strongly influenced

during which the spirits are collectively

were personally gifted by the village

by the spirits in which they believe,

invoked.

headmen, then carried out by hand and

and many of these spirits, such as

Leonard Joel is delighted to host this

transported via traditional katingting

the timang (tiger), tonoi (snake), and

important tribal group (lots 1-35) as

Melbourne Auction Thursday 7 December at 2pm 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra 3141

Melbourne Viewing Wednesday 6 December, 9am-8pm

Melbourne Enquiries Allison Therrien, Collectables Specialist 03 8825 5625 allison.therrien@leonardjoel.com.au

20

leonardjoel.com.au

19 A ‘REGARD’ RING $1,000

20 A PAIR OF DEAREST EARRINGS $1,800

Enquiries John D’Agata National Head of Jewellery 03 8825 5605 | 0408 355 339 john.dagata@leonardjoel.com.au

THE CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

A curated selection of jewellery and timepieces will be available to buy online from 5-15 December and every piece purchased will be gift-wrapped.

21 A VICTORIAN RUBY, EMERALD AND DIAMOND BANGLE $5,500

PURCHASE ONLINE 5 - 15 DECEMBER 2017

leonardjoel.com.au

21

VALUATIONS

Speak to the experts who know how to value.

JEWELLERY VALUATIONS AT HOME

22

At home, at your office or the place of

are being accurately assessed and

types of valuations whether it is for the

your choosing, Leonard Joel is pleased

protected.

purpose of insurance, probate, market,

to offer in situ jewellery valuations.

We have a large array of mobile

superannuation or matrimonial.

Providing

gemmological

you

with

safety,

security

jewellery

equipment and

have

to

assess

and privacy, this is all achieved by you

your

qualified

being present whilst the valuation is

gemmologists, diamond technicians and

undertaken.

registered jewellery valuers with the

Caroline Tickner, Head of Valuations

You will have peace of mind knowing

National Council of Jewellery Valuers.

03 8825 5638

that some of your most precious items

Leonard Joel can assist you with all

caroline.tickner@leonardjoel.com.au

leonardjoel.com.au

Book your appointment today.

BUYING AT AUCTION. IT’S SIMPLE, REALLY! Browse With regular auctions in Contemporary Art,

Connect with us

Stay up to date with news, insights and auctions via our e-newsletter and social media platforms.

Furniture, Jewels & Watches, Luxury, Modern Design and Sporting Memorabilia, there’s something to suit every taste and to tempt every collector.

Browse our online catalogues before each auction, or view in person at one of our salerooms.

Register Create an account with Leonard Joel and register your details, just as you would when you shop online. Once you have registered, you’ll have your own Leonard Joel account which you can use every time you bid.

Bid Bid in person, from home or even while you’re on holiday on the other side of the world. It’s easy to do so either at one of our salerooms, online or on the telephone, and our team is always on hand to guide you.

1. ONLINE All of our auctions are available for online bidding via our online bidding platform partner, Invaluable, which you can access via our website.

2. ABSENTEE OR TELEPHONE BIDS If you can’t make it to the auction, you can leave an

SUBSCRIBE leonardjoel.com.au

absentee bid (the maximum amount you would like to bid up to) through the Leonard Joel website, or bid on the phone with one of our team members.

PINTEREST pinterest.com/leonardjoel

INSTAGRAM instagram.com/leonardjoelauctions

FACEBOOK

3. BID IN PERSON All of our auctions are open to the public and you are more than welcome to attend if you are in Melbourne or Sydney. If successful bidder, you’ll be sent an invoice

facebook.com/leonardjoel

via email after the auction, and then you can arrange collection or delivery of your purchase/s.

YOUTUBE youtube.com/LeonardJoel1919

Contact a member of our team or stop by our Melbourne or Sydney salerooms if you have any questions.

leonardjoel.com.au

23

THE 22ND REPORT #9

ONE YEAR ON

The Leonard Joel Voluntary Policy Position Booklet on the cessation of ivory and rhino trade at auction is available at Leonard Joel and online.

Recently

and

terms with are common to the global

Connoisseurship,

interesting and passionate call with a

passion needs, on a global scale,

trade. And with that said I believe

Commerce, China and Complexity.

member of IFAW in Europe; another

greater

there are essentially six (6) key issues

If

individual

understanding and support.

that

enough

to spending her days navigating an

So what can we, as auctioneers, do to

expressed clearly to help everyone;

of “entitlement”, then I genuinely

end to the, what sometimes feels to

assist this process?

legislators,

auctioneers,

believe the value of these materials

me, overwhelming and depressingly

After a year now listening, learning

collectors and the community, come

can be permanently disrupted, the

prevalent trade in elephant ivory and

and refining my thinking on this

to terms with what is required to

trade in these materials can be largely

rhinoceros horn in the auction rooms,

subject I believe I have gone from a

generate a cessation in trade and why

halted

antique dealerships, souvenir shops

“zero out of ten” appreciation of the

a complete cessation is ultimately the

prevented.

and bars of the world.

issues to, let’s say, a “seven out of

solution.

I’m a newcomer to this cause; these

ten”. I am also confident that the key

I describe these as the “Six Cs” and

people are often “lifers” to the

dynamics that I continue to come to

they full under the headings of Culture,

24

I

concluded

completely

a

long,

committed

cause

and

their

persistence

community

and

industry

need

to

be

traders,

leonardjoel.com.au

simplified

and

we

can and

and

all

Connectedness, be

resist

open-minded old

hopefully

attitudes

extinction

CULTURE

objects to the collector have become

CHINA

this cause; how to find a concise

the

distanced from the slaughter-origin.

The expression “the elephant in the

position on this issue that can begin

and

Now they have become things of

room” is so poignantly relevant to

to

antique works implies that a complete

beauty; exquisite, intricate, laden

this debate in terms of how both

cultures and collectors and bring

cessation in trade could somehow

with history and scholarly. And all

Chinese view the consumption of

about real change?

diminish or damage an international

these mental embellishments serve

these materials but equally how we

The situation is clearly complex;

collective cultural soul. A strange

to repress the conservationist instinct

respond to that consumption.

easier no doubt to effect change

argument - these places we call

in the collector and instead elevate

China remains the global player with

in one region with one legislative

“museums”, that inhabit every part

what I call “the cold connoisseur”.

an insatiable appetite for ivory in all

regime and increasingly harder to do

of the globe, are repositories of vast

Cessation policies do not require

its forms and there is consensus that

so when change is sought on a global

amounts of these materials and more

the destruction or seizure of these

without change here the fate of the

or even regional scale. So what is

than adequately document, display

collections, merely the freezing of

elephant and rhinoceros species is

my suggestion for the auction and

and communicate enough of these

its trade and an understanding on

doomed. This year early stage hope

antiques industry to break ground

materials to sate the appetite of any

the collecting communities’ part that

emerged as the Chinese government

here? It’s simple really. We need

scholar, academic, student or school

the time has come to remove ivory

announced its commitment to close

to come out from behind the “old’

group. For me, the idea that we

and rhino as materials considered

down all mainland manufacture of ivory

arguments for trade as it stands,

humans need to continue to express

acceptable to trade in and to now

by the end of 2017. If successful and

take a break from definitions and

ourselves

elevate the status of these materials

sincere it will represent a momentous

first agree that countries, cultures,

to a sacred status.

shift of global proportions that will

commerce and collectors no longer

add to the momentum for a shutdown

require these materials in any form

This

first

cessation

argument of

trade

any

against in

longer

legal

with

these

materials is unenlightened.

effectively

navigate

countries,

CONNECTEDNESS

COMMERCE

in global trade.

other than on the living animals they

We as auctioneers and dealers sit at

Politicians fret jobs and industry and

But at a more general international

were meant for. But just as crucially,

the apex of the value chain; in fact we

very naturally this drives legislative

level

collectors

acknowledge, as we have at Leonard

crown it and as such we bestow on the

and consultative action and behaviour.

can support this shift in Chinese

Joel, that we cannot on the one

slaughter or the “harvesting” (that

But the reality is that no one really

thinking by simply not fearing the

hand trade and create value in these

hideous word that the international

knows what impacts there may or may

repercussions of their own cessation

materials and with the other claim

CITES document uses to refer to the

not be until industry starts exploring,

in trade. At Leonard Joel we continue

that we are somehow disconnected

slaughtering of these animals) of

embracing if you like, change. Two

to embrace clients of every ethnic

from the slaughter-origin. This for me

these materials from living creatures

realities need to inform this thinking.

persuasion and collectors of Chinese

personally and professionally was my

a prestige that it does not deserve.

Firstly, no auctioneer or antiques

decorative arts and our cessation

realisation; a simple one that made

It beggars belief how the industry

dealer

the

policy has not been met by boycotts

the complexity for me vanish. And I

that generates the highest values

exception perhaps of certain Asian-

or protest from these clients and

have IFAW to thank for that.

and makes large markets for these

based businesses) is dependant to

collectors. Life goes on, collecting

So is the solution as simple as a little

materials – my industry - could think

any significant degree on the trade

goes on, commerce continues and

yellow book? Well, maybe.

that it was not connected to the trade,

in these materials. But collectively an

our business has adapted. I do not

At Leonard Joel we continue to

the slaughter and the extinction risk.

end to the slaughter is dependent on

wish to overplay the commercial

debate, discuss and improve our

Similarly, the CITES ban that is in

these industries ceasing trade. The

sacrifice we made at Leonard Joel but

understanding of how our trade is

place, has over time become a veil

argument then that commerce would

it is clear that this fear, this “elephant

directly linked to this dire conservation

behind which continued trade is

suffer unreasonably is a weak and

in the room”, is what drives much of

issue but it has not stopped us from

justified and which has only served to

highly convenient one.

the resistance to change within my

taking

create a false belief in those trading

Secondly,

most

industry on this issue. It is time for

policy is now neatly contained in a

in pre-1975 pieces that somehow their

compellingly, we at Leonard Joel

auctioneers and dealers to be brave!

small yellow paper bound document

continued trade is not contributing

were until 2017 the largest Australian

to the value chain that ultimately

auction trader in ivory. One year on

COMPLEXITY

in the world could adopt and sign

motivates the continued slaughter.

we have all but ceased our trade

In many ways this challenge runs in

up to. The policy itself is short and

This is a lie that I and Leonard Joel

in

stopped

parallel to most conversations and

uncomplicated and it is our simple

decided we could no longer hide

altogether our trade in anything

debates around this topic. Definitions,

answer to complex arguments that

behind.

containing rhinoceros horn and “the

legislative

arrangements

ultimately distract from a hideous

commercial impact” I hear you ask?

local

country

CONNOISSEURSHIP

None - no commercial impact.

dispositions,

global

The sense of entitlement that prevails

Twelve months on from our policy

committed

organisations

in corners of the collecting community

implementation our business and

commentators (both for and against

also needs to change. Collectors

more crucially, the departments that

a cessation of trade) have unwittingly

typically find raw, unworked and

previously directly benefited from

generated a highly complex and

later period pieces repugnant. But as

this trade, thrive and now also benefit

nuanced discourse prone to confusion

these materials are transformed by

from the glow of this ethical “U-turn”

and circular argument. I myself am

cultures, by history, by craftsmanship,

in our commercial path. A “U-turn”

still on a steep learning-curve. This

by

we are immensely proud of.

is perhaps the great challenge of

author

and

description,

the

in

elephant

the

world

and

ivory,

(with

perhaps

have

auctioneers

and

a

position.

Our

cessation

that any auction house or dealership

and

leonardjoel.com.au

at

level,

both

cultural

trade.

conventions, and

John Albrecht

25

Photo: Kate Longley

Photo: Kate Longley

Photo: Kate Longley

ARTS PROJECT AUSTRALIA STRENGTH TO STRENGTH From book launches and pop-up

Project artists featured in a custom

national and international audience.

Philadelphia, and DUTTON in New

galleries to cooler bags and coasters

range of Australiana merchandise

These programs build confidence,

York, while forging new initiatives with

– this year, Arts Project continued to

designed and produced by Third

knowledge, and experience for the

organisations such as Shepparton Art

deliver diverse programs across the

Drawer Down in collaboration with

artists, which can lead to sustained

Museum, West Space, and beyond.

organisation.

Arts Project Australia and the National

(and enviable) art careers.

For more information about Arts

In the past year, Arts Project Australia

Gallery of Victoria.

Partnerships are vital in bringing

Project Australia and what’s coming

artists exhibited in 49 national and

The

these

up in 2018 visit

international exhibitions, art prizes,

initiatives

around

fruition, and 2018 will see Arts Project

and

public recognition of the individual

Australia build on its relationships

Leonard Joel supported major survey

as

with existing organisations, such as

exhibition Leo Cussen: Golden Years,

environment,

and

Leonard Joel, Art Guide Australia,

which featured over 60 artworks from

reward that comes from the rigours

Third Drawer Down, Darren Knight

the Cussen’s 20-year career. Arts

of creating and presenting work to a

Gallery in Sydney, Fleisher/Ollman in

26

awards.

This

included

the

tangible

an

outcomes

are

artist

of

centred beyond

and

the

the

these

studio

pride

diverse

leonardjoel.com.au

opportunities

to

www.artsproject.org.au.

ISSUE 20 OCTOBER 2017 ANDREA GRÜTZNER PAUL PFEIFFER PHILJAMES ROBERT MAPPLETHORPE NIKE SAVVAS DICK WATKINS

ISSUE 20 OUT NOW

SUBSCRIBE NOW AND RECEIVE YOUR COPY OF VAULT MAGAZINE FIRST JEFFREY BRYANT, ANDREA GRUETZNER, ROBERT MAPPLETHORPE, BASIL PAPOUTSIDIS, PAUL PFIEFFER, PHILJAMES, UNITED ARTISTS PROJECT, NIKE SAVVAS, ART COLLECTORS: KAI AND WENDY TAN, DICK WATKINS, CHLOE WISE & MORE

CHLOE WISE AUS $17.50 NZ $25.00

VAULTART.COM.AU

SUBSCRIBE NOW VAULTART.COM.AU

CHLOE WISE Moschino English Muffin, 2015 oil paint, urethane, hardware and leather 15 x 10 cm Courtesy the artist and Almine Rech Gallery, Paris © Chloe Wise

Leonard Joel Ad_October253 x369_FA2.indd 1

leonardjoel.com.au

27

24/11/17 1:31 pm

LOOK OUT FOR THE FEBRUARY ISSUE

leonardjoel.com.au