My first experience curating a Fine Jewels & Timepieces auction for Leonard Joel was in the Spring of 2007. When I enquired about the auction budget, my brief from Warren and Kate Joel (the previous owners) was brief, “Just have an auction!” The department back then was in poor condition, and I was looked upon as the ‘Saviour’. The problem was, I had no idea what I was doing and why I had accepted the position as the Head of Jewellery. I had just left Kozminsky jewellers, which had been my introduction into the world of Jewellery and I was looking for a new challenge. My first week at Leonard Joel was a baptism of fire, but by the week’s end, I was full of adrenaline and hooked on auction land. l picked things up quickly and within no time, it seemed I was well and truly up and running like an auction superstar. With a change of ownership I was reunited with John Albrecht, formally of Kozminsky jewellers. This relationship endures, John as the visionary matched well alongside my pragmatic nature. A great new challenge was ahead of us…Sydney!
Accounts of how the Sydney Leonard Joel started vary, however this is my recollection. In 2013 I was in Sydney, with our regular viewing of the Melbourne jewellery and timepieces auction. To date, no one was offering the wide selection of jewellery that Leonard Joel had to offer. At the time, other auction houses were either high-end or offered manufactured trade jewellery, which was affordable, but not glamorous in any way. Leonard Joel filled this gap, with finely curated auctions that featured private, rare and beautiful pieces not seen on the Sydney market. It was on one of these trips that the penny dropped. Relaxing at the InterContinental bar after a busy day’s viewing with my infamous single malt whiskey, I called John Albrecht and asked the question, ‘Why don’t we have an office in Sydney’? To which he replied “I don’t know JD, why don’t you do it’? By the end of that year, we had secured a charming Art-Deco premise at 39 Queen Street Woollahra. We had made it.
After a steady start, we came up with the auction concept of Jewels and Objets D’Art to match my talents and those of Robert Williams, our decorative arts specialist in Sydney. The first auction was viewed at our new office, which was an extremely tight squeeze, three hundred and ninety-five lots that we managed to put together. The auction itself was held in the Treasury Room at the InterContinental, Sydney. Three auction highlights come to mind when I think back on that inaugural auction today. The first, an art-deco Louis Vuitton Gentleman’s Valise Nescessaire, which sold for $4,800. I was quite proud of this as I had previously introduced ‘Luxury’ to the Leonard Joel speciality auction lineup in 2010.
The second highlight was An Impressive Bronze by Emile Antoine Bourdelle. The bronze was originally purchased in Sydney in 1982, however, we were not confident that we could meet the vendors expectations. It was then sent to Melbourne, where it was passed in at the next art auction. Re-offering it in our Sydney auction gave us a great boost of confidence for the strength of the market, selling for a staggering $43,200 on an estimate of $20,000 – $30,000. My personal highlight however, was a solid 18c gold, double row, Panthere de Cartier Cuff, the likes of which has not been seen at auction in Australia since. I had been negotiating with the vendor for almost a year and was jubilant they consigned this iconic piece with Leonard Joel Sydney. They were not disappointed either. When the hammer fell, the stunning Cartier cuff sold for $41,800. Needless to say, after this first auction, we knew that we were on the road to success.
Beethoven, Tête Monumentale (Study for the Metropolitan) 1902
Sold for $43,920
Ten years on, Leonard Joel proudly lives on with a new dynamic team. After the establishment of the office, I turned my efforts back to the Melbourne jewellery market. However, after revisiting my roots running The Kozminsky Collection Auction and then the Schlager Collection, I decided it was time for a change of pace.
Spending more time in my country residence, I was looking for a way to transition slowly into a new life. In 2019 I formally stepped aside from my position to make way for the next generation of auction specialists. You never truly leave an institution like Leonard Joel and you’ll still find me here as Senior Jewellery Consultant, mentoring the new staff & taking care of my loyal established clients.
Today, I run my own Luxury Lifestyle Store, The House of Marcelle and Mr.John in Trentham Victoria. The shop is full of an eclectic mix of vintage and contemporary pieces with a focus on interiors. Established in 2020, we have gained an exceptional clientele in a short amount of time. It’s been fun putting together the range from items purchased locally and abroad. My buying criteria is simple, “Would I have this item in my own home?” It’s like I’ve packaged up all my experiences and knowledge into one great big parcel. Though my career I have been blessed with great mentors, given exceptional opportunities for which I am thankful. I have the support of a loving, long standing partner, and the best poodles this side of the Southern Hemisphere. Leonard Joel has been my backbone and life is good.
By John D’Agata / Senior Jewellery Consultant
Top Image: A rare Panther cuff by Cartier Sold for $41,480
February 2025