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Spotlight on: Paolo Buffa

Category: Modern Design

Paolo Buffa (1903 – 1970) was an Italian architect and furniture designer known for his elegant and sophisticated designs. After graduating from the Politecnico di Milano in the late 1920s, Buffa briefly worked for architect Gio Ponti before branching out on his own. In 1928 Ponti’s newly launched design magazine Domus featured a full-page spread […]

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Art of Glass: Key Terms and Techniques in 20th Century Glass

Category: Modern Design

Glass has been used since ancient times as both a decorative and functional medium. Glass artists utilise a broad range of techniques to create magnificent colours, textures, shapes and patterns. Read on to discover the meaning of key terms techniques used in the art of glass: Studio Glass A term and movement popularised in the […]

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The Future of Large Antique Interiors

Category: Leonard Joel Auctions

Finding a place for antiques in a contemporary world The decline in prices for large pieces of period furniture is not a recent phenomenon. It is now into, probably, its third decade, thanks to the modernisation and miniaturisation of interior living. Add to that the demise of formal at-home dining and you have vast swathes […]

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The Legacy of Jean Schlumberger

Category: Important Jewels

Jean Schlumberger was born into a family of successful textile merchants in Mulhouse, France, in 1907. He initially studied literature at the Sorbonne as his parents tried to discourage his artistic interest by refusing him to undertake formal training. In the late 1930s, his earliest jewellery designs caught the eye of fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli, […]

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In Conversation with Deborah Symond O’Neil

Category: In Conversation

We are thrilled to partner with Deborah Symond O’Neil, Founder and Director of Australian fashion retailer Mode Sportif and lover of all things beauty and style, for our April Important Jewels auction. Here, we get to know Deborah and find out about her favourite ways to accessorise (hint, diamonds!). How would you describe your personal […]

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The Hermann & Inge Thumm Collection

Category: Decorative Arts

Formerly at Chateau Yaldara, Barossa Valley In April, Leonard Joel’s Decorative Arts department will have the pleasure of offering the Hermann and Inge Thumm Collection, bringing to a close a remarkable sixty-year chapter in Australian collecting. As with the wine they produced, the story of the Thumms and their collection, comprising traditional European porcelain and […]

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Exploring a Space Age Material

Category: Modern Design

Plastic is a ubiquitous and versatile material that has had a significant impact on the world. It has revolutionised design and manufacturing, enabling the creation of products that were previously impossible to produce. The evolution of plastic as a design material has been shaped by scientific advancements, changes in manufacturing techniques, and shifting consumer preferences. […]

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A Little Bit About Goyard, 1792

Category: Luxury

Of the many luxury houses that have seen a resurgence in the latter part of the 20th century, Goyard stands alone for exclusivity, prestige, and style. Goyard evolved from the House of Martin, which was established by trunk maker Pierre-Francois Martin in 1792. Former apprentice Francois Goyard took over the firm in 1852, opening workshops […]

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Brett Whiteley: A Unique Approach to Printmaking

Category: Prints & Multiples

Australian artist Brett Whiteley (1939 – 1992) was at the height of his career in the 1970s, when he dominated the country’s art scene. 1976 began in a burst of publicity as he won the 1976 Archibald and Sir John Sulman portraiture awards, and in 1977 the landscape Wynne award. In 1978, he won all […]

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Six Famous Engagement Rings Through History

Category: Fine Jewels

As with many Western traditions, the presentation of a ring to celebrate a betrothal can be traced back to the ancient Romans. Archaeologists and historians have confirmed that the Romans wore rings of flint, ivory, copper, and iron to signify love and commitment. Whilst the sentiment of giving an engagement ring remains steadfast today, styles […]

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