A third generation Russian Australian’s collection of rare 18^th and 19^th century Russian icons is one of the major highlights of Christian McCannn Auctions sale from noon Sunday August 31 at 426 Burnley Street, Richmond.

Auctioneer Christian McCann said seldom has he had the chance to offer such an extensive collection of quality antique furniture, art and objets d’art.

Auction goers will be particularly impressed with Young’s Auctions special sale from 9.30am Friday August 29 at 229 Camberwell Road, East Hawthorn.

A significant component of the auction is jewellery put aside specially for the sale and incorporating rings, earrings, gold bracelets and necklaces and sizeable gold nugget.

The jewellery also contains emerald and diamond earrings and a matching diamond and sapphire necklace, bracelet and ring.

Among the 1000 lots that comprise Mossgreen’s forthcoming Quarterly Collectors Auction Series is a piece of a tree at Cooper’s Creek, South Australia – under which the ill-fated explorer Robert O’Hara Burke was buried with his second-in-command William John Wills before their bodies were later brought back to Melbourne.

Burke and Wills – and their fellow expeditioners John King and Charley Gray – are famous for being the first Europeans to cross Australia from south to north (Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria) in 1860-61.

Jewels and objets d’art will be the highlight of Leonard Joel’s inaugural $1.3 million Sydney auction from 1pm Sunday August 24 at the Intercontinental Hotel, 117 Macquarie Street.

One of the major attractions is a Cartier gold panther double cuff never before seen at an Australian auction.

Another intriguing item is the “Face and Owl” vase by Pablo Picasso.

Heading the Asian objects is a significant and elegant blue and white bluster vase – while international makers such as Faberge, Lalique, Galle, Meissen and Chiparus populate the collection.