At the Sunday Fine Art Auction on June 24th another fresh and varied offering of Australian and International art was on offer. The major transactions for the auction were two rare works by the colonial artist John Glover (1767-1849) that had been in private Melbourne hands since their acquisition in London more than 40 years ago by the renowned Mark Josem, owner of the Dendy Cinema chain.
Windsor Castle (lot 30 and illustrated) and Castle Mont Juvat, in the Val D’Aoste (lot 29) realised $91,500 and $67,100 respectively (IBP) and confirmed the depth of the Leonard Joel traditional buyers in an otherwise contracting collector base. And it was clear that in this more cautious investment environment $10,000 -$20,000 works were the focus of buyer attention.
Of the Moderns, John Brack’s pencil, Reclining Nude on Couch 1965 (lot 28) realised $29,280 (IBP) and works by John Perceval, Ray Crooke and Albert Tucker also enjoyed strong interest. Connoisseurs were again out in force and circled the much admired and rare works by Hugh Ramsay, lots 53 and 54, that realised $12,200 and $20,740 respectively (IBP) and the coloured linocut by Ethel Spowers titled Swings (lot 208) that sold for more than five times its low estimate at $19,520 (IBP).
Several contemporary works stood out amongst a strong offering of modern and traditional period works and as if to reassure the market that quality Aboriginal work still enjoyed a committed buyer base, Emily Kngwarreye’s striking contemporary work, lot 35 in pinks, reds and yellows, titled Wild Flower Dreaming enjoyed strong bidding to sell well above the low estimate for $13,420 (IBP).
The end of the sale, typically devoted to overseas buyers, offered a carefully curated section of international art and works by Jeff Koon, Damien Hirst and Salvador Dali, rarely seen on the local markets, enjoyed very strong interest with the highlight no doubt being the sale of Koons’ delightful sculpture Balloon Dog (Red) 1995 (lot 127) which tripled its low estimate to sell for $10,370 (IBP).
The auction achieved a sale total of $840,000 (IBP). Entries of fine local and international art are now being sought for our September fine art and sculpture auction.
For a complimentary market valuation contact
Nicole Salvo
Tel: 03 8825 5624
Email: Nicole Salvo
Image Details
Lot No. 30
JOHN GLOVER (1767-1849) Windsor Castle circa 1824-1826 oil on canvas
Estimate $80,000-$100,000
Hammer Price: $75,000
Price IBP: $90,000