From Hermès to Han

Celebrating collections since 1919 is something we enjoy the privilege of practicing every month at Leonard Joel, from the single special object to the grand collection, and this Spring, two extraordinary collections have found their way to our salerooms in Melbourne.

The first, as contemporary as it is extraordinary, is a private single-owner collection of Hermès furnishings and decoration. The collection, destined to decorate an entire private residence project in Melbourne, will be offered “as new”, each piece complete with its signature Hermès wrapping and packaging. The collection is a unique and world-first offering of hand-crafted pieces from La Maison Hermès, Paris. Some pieces within the collection are one of a kind, made-to order, while others are no longer available to purchase directly, promising to become the collectables of the future.
This is collecting at its most contemporary and with Hermès, its most luxurious, and
we are honoured to celebrate this collection with our community of clients.

A Qingbai double gourd-form ewer
Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127)
$10,000-15,000

Spring will also see the presentation of the ancient alongside the new with an important private collection of Asian antiquities. Formed over decades in Melbourne, with travels to Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Singapore, meticulously curated and documented, this collection of more than 200 objects presents a survey of porcelain, bronze and ceramic treasures that will represent one of the finest single-owner offerings of Asian Art ever to come to public auction in Australia. A bronze wine “Hu” from the Han Dynasty, with its pleasing faceted body and sharp edges, is just one of many pieces that speaks to me of wondrous trips to Hollywood Road, Hong Kong, and this collection will no doubt speak to other collectors, in different ways, as it passes to new hands.

While both collections will be presented for physical display in Melbourne, they will now also enjoy promotion and connection with our expanded network of representatives in both Brisbane and now Adelaide, with the appointment of Anthony Hurl as Representative Specialist for South Australia. Anthony for many years represented Sotheby’s in Adelaide and his appointment now provides Leonard Joel clients with a meaningful connection to that state. Anthony is renowned for the active role he has played in numerous private and public transactions across so many collecting fields and we are delighted that his unique skill-set will form part of Leonard Joel’s services.

So, whether your passion is for designer French furnishings or ancient bronzes, I encourage you to visit our offices and representatives wherever you are in the country because without you, our collectors, celebrating collections is simply not possible.

JOHN ALBRECHT
Chairman / Head of Important Collections

Banner Image: Philippe Nigro Groom Valet for Hermès Maison Collection | $28,000 – 36,000

July 2021

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