Submitted by aarAdmin on Tue, 05/02/2023 - 00:00
Melbourne auction goers were keen to obtain items from Chemist Warehouse billionaire Sam Gance’s Toorak mansion on April 30 and most of the 186 collectables (including 17th and 18th century furniture) on offer were sold within or above catalogue estimates once the Gibson's Auctions sale started.
The highest hammer price was $13,000 for artist Imants Tillers Nature Speaks 2000 (lot 81), while a pair of cast bronze cranes in Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912) style (lot 67) brought $11,000.
Five sets of quality linen paisley drapes with trimmed swagged valances (lot 33) were obviously popular among bidders for they sold for $8000 on a $1500-$2500 catalogue estimate.
Three items – a Charles II plank top refectory (lot 52), a set of Charles II style oak back dining chairs (lot 53) and a 19th century Victorian Coalbrookdale painted cast iron bench (lot 151) – each went under the hammer for $5500 – while a striking Pietra Dura top wrought iron centre table (lot 10) brought $4600 against its $2000-$3000 estimate.
Lots 32 and 89 – a 17th century Spanish walnut side table and a set of seven 19th century hoop back Windsor chairs (lot 89) – each sold for $4400, while an 18th century George III oak geometric panel chest surpassed its $2000-$3000 estimate to reach a credible $4200.
A lucky buyer paid $4000 for an impressive Louis XV style 10-branch crystal and bronze chandelier (lot 11) hanging at the head of the staircase.
