Unusual antique pistols feature in Melbourne decorative arts auction
Author: Richard Brewster | Posted: 12th February, 2026
Antique pistols from a Richmond estate are among the highlights of Melbourne-based Philips Auctions online decorative arts sale ending from 9.30am Monday February 23 at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malvern.
The four pistols (lots 23-26) include a circa 1840 Belgian eight-barrel ‘pepperbox’ revolver (lot 23), so named because it resembles a peppercorn grinder.
Active as an arms manufacturer from 1832 to 1865, Giles Mariette from Charette, Liege, manufactured the short barrel pistol, which contains the markings Mariette Brevete on the front of the grip.
Lot 24 is an 18th century English flintlock blunderbuss pistol, the carved Woodstock silver mounted with pierced scroll plates, while lot 25 is an 18th century German flintlock by Pieper & Co from Solingen.
A late 18th century carved flintlock pistol (lot 26) with white metal mounts, scrolls and arabesques is either Ottoman in origin or made in Germany or Spain for the Ottoman empire.
Art dealers and picture framers in the early 1900s with a shop next to Windsor’s Astor Theatre, the family’s estate comprises about 150 items in the auction including porcelain, furniture and 90 mainly English artworks.
Painting highlights include Henry Moore’s (1831-1895) Fishing Boats at Sea (lot 351), Henry Aiken’s (1785-1851) The Jump (lot 346), Dutch artist Antonie Waldrop’s (1803-1866) The Sermon (lot 348) and William Shayer’s (1811-1892) Horses at Rest (lot 353).
Three of Australian colonial artist John Glover’s (1767-1849) works are featured including an ink wash on paper entitled Derwent Water Tasmania (lot 302), along with five from landscape painter Naylor Gill (1872-1945).
Rare Fijian native clubs and a Fijian chief’s whale tooth ‘Wasekaseka’ necklace (lots 65-67, 69, 70 and 72) are another strong attraction.
The auction also contains a private collection of silver including large trays, Bateman teapots and cutlery.
The jewellery auction, including 20 lots from the Richmond family estate, will be held online at the same time.
