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
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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
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OPERA AUSTRALIA
Costumes and Memorabilia EVENING AUCTION FRIDAY 30 JUNE 2017 DAY AUCTION SATURDAY 1 JULY 2017
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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
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PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Melbourne Auction Sporting Memorabilia Thursday 7 December 10am 333 Malvern Road, South Yarra 3141
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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
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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,
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THE SCHLAGER COLLECTION
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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.
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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
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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
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Sophie Ullin
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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
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‘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
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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
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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
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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
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Melbourne Viewing Wednesday 6 December 9am-8pm
Melbourne Enquiries Lucy Foster, Art Specialist 03 8825 5630 lucy.foster@leonardjoel.com.au
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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
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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
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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
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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,
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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.
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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.
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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
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YOUTUBE youtube.com/LeonardJoel1919
Contact a member of our team or stop by our Melbourne or Sydney salerooms if you have any questions.
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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
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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
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