With this small collection – an officer’s sword and associated ephemera from the first half of the 19th Century, it’s possible to imagine episodes from the life of a young man in Nelson’s navy, considered the “Wooden Walls of Old England” at the height of its prowess and glory. William Walker served under some of […]
Emeralds have long been coveted for their breathtaking natural beauty and prized for their rarity. With the vibrant green colour referencing the exuberance of spring and evoking emotions of renewal and rebirth, emeralds are universally associated with hope, love, and prosperity. From Cleopatra in Egypt to Catherine the Great in Russia, the Habsburgs in Spain to the […]
In 1990 I was a young auction store person at Leonard Joel (I prefer the English expression “porter”, but I will keep this real!) with an interest in jewellery, and I was lucky enough to have been mentored by Graham Joel, who gave me a long leash as I tried to win exciting business. In […]
It’s hard to believe that it has been over a year since our first Virtual Luxury auction in March 2020. Always ahead of the game, the auction was planned well before we had any inkling of the Covid restrictions and lockdowns that would plague us. The concept was a Godsend however and set us in […]
The “gold fever” that gripped Australia in the 1850s spread like wildfire, overturning the political and social systems as it tore through the landscape and changed it forever. The gold rush led to an increase in population, which helped to bring social as well as cultural development, and less than fifty years after gold was discovered, […]
Australian women artists in the early 20th Century were pivotal in the shaping of Modernism as we know it today. Framed by the world wars, the Wall street crash of 1929 and the Great Depression, Australia bore witness to an influx of change and social evolution. The rise in international media, education and access to […]
Lea Stein’s costume jewellery, although of a definite distinctive style, often transcends the varying tastes of differing demographics, with few being able to resist a gasp of delight when they spot a “Ric the dog”, “Buba the owl” or the most recognisable “Renard the Fox”. The wide range of colourful, multi-textured designs depicting familiar fond […]
Opals have a history and lore as colourful as the play-of-colour phenomena they exhibit. Greek mythology records that opals were the physical result of Zeus’ tears of joy, rolling down to earth upon taking his seat as King of the Gods after a decade long war fighting to overthrow his father and the Titans. One […]
Melbournians will no doubt recognise Tom Gerrard’s iconic characters, who can be spotted throughout the city’s streets and, more recently, gallery walls. We sat down with the globally recognised painter to find out more about his practice, inspirations, and philosophy around collecting art. Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your practice? I’m […]
Often referred to as one of the most controversial street artists in the world, Banksy is now on every avid contemporary art collector’s radar. Achieving astronomical results at auction over the last five years especially, Banksy has re-branded the graffiti movement, paving the way for street artists to come. Banksy’s identity remains unknown, even after […]