European art features strongly in Leonard Joel’s final fine art auction for the year – headlined by French Expressionist Bernard Buffet’s Nature Morte à la Cafetière Verte, held for more than 40 years in the one collection, and Lucien Adrion’s Regatta, France.

The auction, from 6.30pm Tuesday December 2 at 333 Malvern Road South Yarra, contains a private collection of Polish art from the turn of the 20^th century – spearheaded by Jacek Malczewski’s significant Self Portrait 1902.

High quality French and English antique furniture, a superb grand piano and important Australian art and jewellery are among items to be auctioned at auctioneer Phil Caldwell latest sale from 11am Sunday November 30 at 43 Clendon Road, Toorak.

The antique French furniture includes a pair of fine commodes, a gilt salon suite and boulle vitrine – while the art features works by Russell Drysdale, David Boyd, Hugh Sawrey, Gary Shead, Pro Hart, David Bromley, Ray Crooke, John Perceval, Fred Williams, Sidney Nolan and Charles Blackman.

A Victorian mahogany mirror back sideboard, chest of drawers and large marble top outdoor table are among the strong attractions at E.J.Ainger’s latest weekly sale from 9.30am Tuesday November 25 at 433Bridge Road, Richmond.

The auction contains an extensive collection of Victorian and retro furniture and new leather furnishings.

Of great interest to auction goers should be the bamboo sunroom lounges, Chesterfield combination settees, and English furnishings.

Jeffrey Smart’s The Breakwater, Fiumicino 1986-87 is a major highlight of Bonham’s Important Australian Art auction from 6.30pm Monday November 24 at Byron Kennedy Hall, Moore Park in Sydney.

Estimated at $600,000 to $800,000, this painting is a hallmark landscape for the artist, painted some 20 years after he first arrived in Naples and became fascinated with the Italian urban environment.

The surrealist quality of the painting is exaggerated by imposing concrete shapes – the modern world’s alternative to using natural rocks and stones in breakwater construction.