Melbourne’s inclement weather did not keep enthusiastic potential buyers from a Sunday March 21 viewing of paintings at Menzies forthcoming art auction – to begin at 6.30pm Wednesday March 31 at the company’s Sydney-based Menzies Gallery at 12 Todman Avenue, Kensington.

Given the 12-month tussle Australia, like all other countries, has had with COVID-19, there was a sense of optimism that perhaps the worst of the pandemic was behind the industry – and that regular viewings and live auctions could once more become the norm.   

Auctioneer Phil Caldwell is heading to 9 Rimington Avenue, Kew for a boutique sale from 11am Sunday March 21 that will feature Australian art, antiques, jewellery, rare Chinese and Egyptian antiquities, rugs, porcelain, glassware, garden statuary and general household items.

The auction will be conducted online via live internet, phone and absentee bidding with in person or online viewing at the property from 10am to 6pm Friday March 19 and Saturday March 20.

Seven early bark paintings from the Gary Bradley estate are being offered alongside the likes of works by iconic Aboriginal artists Emily Kane Kngwarreye and Rover Thomas at Deutscher and Hackett’s forthcoming Melbourne Aboriginal Art auction from 7pm Wednesday March 17 at 105 Commercial Road, South Yarra.

A cute little pottery plaque by the late Spanish artist Pablo Picasso (lot 178) is one of the intriguing attractions at Melbourne-based Leski Auctions Decorative Arts & Collectables two-day sale from 11am Saturday February 27 and at the same time Sunday February 28 at 727-729 High Street, Armadale.

The 1956 plaque, entitled Joûeur de Flute et Chèvre and from an edition of 450, appears in Alain Ramié’s 1988 Picasso catalogue of Edited Ceramic Works 1947-1971.