Victoria

'Durham Cathedral' Wood-engraving after Samuel Read. From 'The Illustrated London News'. Samuel Read was an English illustrator who provided many illust...

'Oxlip' Process print from Frederick William Hulme’s ‘Familiar Wild Flowers’, circa 1890. Hulme was known as a teacher and an amateur botanist. He was the Professor of Freehand and...

Poultry Wood-engraving with original colouring. 1879. 160mm by 245mm (sheet). Key below the image. From Oliver Goldsmith's 'A History of the Earth and Animated Nature'.

A Vintage Stoneware Crab, Mid 20th Century Provenance: Private Australian Collection. Dimensions: Height: 9cm. Width: 28.3cm. Depth: 22cm.

An impressive depiction of Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of compassion, whose name bears the meaning ‘One who hears the cries of the world.’ The rather androgynous figure is adorned with beaded jewellery and the princely regalia of a dhoti, draped across her body and spilling out over to partially obscure what she is resting upon. The goddess’ profile exhibits idealised features of Asian artistic convention; her face is soft and rounded, with full lips and relaxed eyes that provide a serene quality of youthfulness to the figure. Adhering to Chinese iconography of Guanyin, the figure is marked by an urna on her forehead, denoting her own enlightenment, as well as a diadem displaying Buddha Amitabha, the spiritual teacher of Guanyin. Seated in the Lalit asana pose, translated as ‘royal ease’, the figure exudes a fine example of the relaxed majesty typical in the characterisation of Guanyin. Whilst the figure’s left hand is placed restfully upon the left leg pendant, the right is raised in the gesture shuni mudra, the second finger held gently against the thumb. Otherwise known as the seal of patience, this gesture indicates the figure as one intended to bestow this virtue, along with compassion and understanding, upon the beholder. Notes on the item: Guanyin is the Chinese interpretation of Avalokiteshvara, the Indian Bodhisattva of compassion. The term “Bodhisattva” is derived from the Sanskrit “Bodhi”, meaning ‘awakening’ or ‘enlightenment’, combined with “Sattva”, meaning ‘spirit’ or ‘being’, referring to one on the path to achieving enlightenment. Bodhisattvas in Mayahana Buddhism are recognised as figures who have effectively achieved enlightenment yet relinquish their accension to nirvana in order to remain amongst mankind in the ultimate act of compassion to aid as spiritual guides. As such, the Bodhisattva inhabit a liminal space between samsara and nirvana; enlightened beings that maintain a relationship with humanity that buddhas cannot, as attaining Buddhahood necessitates the abandonment of all worldly attachments, including mankind. Guanyin’s very name, ‘One who hears the cries of the world’ highlights this role as a compassionate figure who acknowledges the suffering and strife of man. Along with Mahāsthāmaprāpta, a fellow bodhisattva, Guanyin serves as an attendant to Buddha Amitabha, with these three deities recognised as the Three Sages of Western Pure Land Buddhism, a sect of Mayahana Buddhism popular in East Asia. Avalokiteshvara is commonly posited to have been adopted from Indian Buddhism into China as Guanyin around 200-400 CE, however it was the Tang dynasty (618-907) which saw the popularisation of the deity. By the Ming (1358–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties, Guanyin held the position as the most popular female deity in China. The unique state of religion in China held no monolithic canon regarding Buddhism and saw the assimilation of several belief systems, primarily Daoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. Consequently, Guanyin became a deity to be revered beyond Buddhism alone, appointed as both an official imperial deity and Daoist deity in the 12th century. Guanyin may also be seen to fulfil the role of idealised femininity as prescribed by Confucianism, with the scarcity of female Chinese deities perhaps accounting for the gradual gender shift Guanyin underwent. The Indian Avalokiteshvara is unequivocally recognised as male, whilst the supposed gender of Guanyin remains contentious. Although there is a clear shift from the masculine Avalokiteshvara towards a more feminine representation, it is unclear if Guanyin is understood to be entirely feminine, to inhabit qualities of both genders or to be elevated beyond gender entirely, embodying neither. Depictions of Guanyin are highly androgynous, which some believe lends credence towards Guanyin symbolising the unity of dualistic forces as recognised in Daoism, displaying the anthropomorphism of yin and yang. Comparative Analysis: Market comparisons of similar Qing Dynasty polychrome figures of Guanyin include lot 767 (no.2) From Christies ‘Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art,’ New York, 25 March 2022, with the price realised USD 52,920 (Estimate USD 20,000 – USD 30,000). Christies also auctioned a comparable polychrome Guanyin...

Simple but stylish Dark Green torchiere floor lamp from IKEA, circa 1985. Construction is light and economical as you would expect from IKEA. Molded plastic cream colored shade, meta...

Signed in pencil below the image. Signed and dated in the plate. The number '327' inscribed in pencil in lower margin. Mortimer Menpes was an artist and engraver, author, printmake...

Colour aquatint after Samuel Howitt (1756/7-1822). From Samuel Howitt's 'Foreign Field Sports' Samuel Howitt was an English painter, illustrator and etch...

'George Stubbs Esq RA' Stipple engraving by W Nicholls after Ozias Humphrey RA (1742-1810). 1809. George Stubbs was a famous English painter of the horse and some wild animals. Th...

A Spanish Carlos II Walnut Sidetable, 17th Century Provenance: Private South Australian Collection. Description: The plank top over a single panelled frieze drawer of four moulded ...

'London Bridge' Aquatint by JC Stadler after J Farmington. Published c1795 for Boydell's 'History of the River Thames'. Joseph Constantine Stadler (fl London, 1780-1822) was an eng...

'HMAS Australia' Signed in pencil by the artist below the image. Rowland Langmaid was a marine painter and etcher who studied under William Lionel ...

An Impressive 18th Century Painted Parchment Armorial Height: 260cm Width: 185cm Provenance: Private Melbourne collection.

'Isaac Newton' Steel-engraving. C1850. Facsimile signature below title. 80mm by 60mm (image) 260mm by 170mm (sheet) Sir Isaac Newton (1642 – 1726/27) was an English polymath acti...

'Anti-Vivisection' Vanity Fair portrait of The Hon. Stephen Coleridge Hentschel-Colourtype. 1910. Stephen William Buchanan Coleridge (1854-1936) was an English author, barrister,...

'1. Streptosolon Jamesoni 2. Leschenaultia Biloba Major' Flowers are numbered with a key to the varieties below the image. Antique English flower botanical chromolithograph.

This fine & very rare (especially in such amazing condition) Omega Seamaster 120m reference 166.027 from 1967 is highly sought after by collectors, representing a sweet spot in vin...

A Latched Wooden Box with Brass Overlay Decorations, 20th Century Descriptions: The ebon rectangular box decorated with overlaid Arabesque brass motifs punctuated by nailhead boss...

Chromolithograph, 1878. The gold colour is actually metallic and shiny. From Frederick William Hulme's 'Suggestions in Floral Design', a late Victorian pattern book for interior des...

A Strand of white Colour pink tone Australian South Sea pearl necklace with 18K Gold Clasp. Pink tone is very sought after in south...

The Poliedri Chandelier by Carlo Scarpa for Venini is a stunning mid-century Italian masterpiece, blending light, geometry, and artisan glasswork. Scarpa's innovative design features...

'Maenad in Frenzy' Photogravure from a collection of photogravures depicting Greek and Roman marbles and bronzes in the British museum. Plate number above top right corner of the im...

'Cannas' Flowers are numbered with a key to the varieties below the image. Antique English flower botanical chromolithograph.

Original French Poster, 'Ortalion Ombrelli Audrey Hepburn' 1968 This is an original poster from 1968, with the artists muse, Audrey Hepburn. This poster is an oversized poster...

A pair of 16.5mm white south sea pearl earrings stud with 18k yellow gold backing. The pearls are of high button shape with very good lust...

'Crustacea' Copper-line engraving with original hand-colouring. From Baron Georges Cuvier's (1769-1832) 'Animal Kingdom', published in London in 1837. 210mm by 130mm (sheet)

A Cast Bronze FW Wall Fountain Description: A Bronze Wall Fountain of Semi-circular form, the bowl with pronounced egg and dart meander at rim, the underside decorated with a semi-c...

'Neartktische Fauna' (Neartic Fauna) German chromolithograph, circa 1895. Key to animals in German below the image. 245mm by 305mm (sheet). Central vertical fold as issued.

'PRA' (President of the Royal Academy) Vanity Fair portrait of Sir Edward John Poynter, 1st Baronet, PRA, who was an English painter, designer, ...

Fine & Rare Vintage c1980’s Dupont Line 2 / Ligne 2 Lighter, gold-plated, in vertical striped design Stamped “S.T. Dupont Paris, Made in France”, hallmarked & numbered to base ...

'Gompholobium Barbigerum - Fringe-keeled Gompholobium' Botanical lithograph of a Western Australian native plant with original hand-colouring , 1873, by Walter Hood Fitch (1817-1892...

Chromolithograph, circa 1895. 245mm by 300mm (sheet). Central vertical fold as issued.

Artist  Leonetto Cappiello Year 1930 Dimensions 137x198cm Condition Good    

VINTAGE VIVIENNE WESTWOOD Man of London blazer/jacket in wide multi stripe with beautiful piping detail to collar and lapel. From the late 1990's era A special piece of vintage We...

Of striking “saddle” design, this solid & heavy Retro Gents’ Ring is meticulously crafted in 24K Yellow Gold Set with natural top-quality curved jade of desirable apple green & of...

'N Poussin' Steel-engraving, by J Posselwhite after a self-portrait by Poussin. C1850. 125mm by 100mm (image) 270mm by 175mm (sheet) Nicolas Poussin was a French painter who was ...

'Vue des Montagnes du Val-Travers, d'ou aperçoit le Lac de Neuchatel' French copper-line engraving by Duparc after Claude Louis Chatelet (1753-1794). From 'Th...

'Hochzeitskleider I' (Birds) German chromolithograph, circa 1895. 240mm by 155mm (sheet)

Solid 925 Sterling Silver Curb / Cuban links mens’ chain featuring luxurious bright (polished) finish Of desirable length – 60cm – 23.6” & solid weig...

South sea pearl 13mm Brilliant cut natural diamond in E/F colour, VS clarity total weight 0.48CT. Fancy Colour Sapphire weight 3.69CT Set in 1...

The powerful LED reflects off a delicately curved dish, accenting a room with a soft indirect light. The textured, matte white aluminum reflector can be matched with one of our body ...

Subject : Ancient Greek vase-painting from depicting a woman and a bust of Athena from a white glazed lekythos, now in the British Museum. Technique : Copper-line engraving with ori...

European fashion design from the 'Atelier Sogra', published in Vienna. 325mm by 220mm (sheet)

Whales, engraving with original hand-colouring, circa 1815. From Bilderbuch Zum Nutzen und Vergnugen Der Jugend by Friedrich Justin Bertuch (1747-1822), an encyclopaedic collection of Interesting Animals, Plants, Flowers, Fruits, Minerals, Costumes, Antiquities and other Interesting Objects...

French skiing fashion design published as a Supplement to 'L'Homme', a Parisien fashion periodical. Jean Darroux was a Parisien tailor, who designed several series of designs, probab...

Tinted lithograph with white highlights, from 'Thirty-Four Subjects of Cattle', published in 1837 by Thos. McLean, Ackermann and Tilt. Printed at A Ducote's Lithographic Establishmen...

The Type A Lavender Jadeite Cabochon is sitting in the middle of a flower motif, with petals encrusted in Rubies and Diamonds. This is a very small and cute ring...

Iconic Mid-Century Italian Empoli "Diamond Point" Genie Bottle Decanter, 1960s A stunning and highly sculptural "Genie Bottle" decanter, a quintessential example of 1960s Italian mi...

Exquisitely detailed & crafted from finest quality materials, this Art-Deco cocktail wristwatch dates back to year 1947-48, yet it's in immaculate condition & in excellent working o...

This large pot-pourri or covered vase stands over 20 inches tall and about 15 inches wide across the handles - very substantial. It closely resembles an original early Edo pot-pour...

A Strand of black Colour Green tone Tahitian pearl necklace with 18K Gold Clasp. Green tone is very sought after in Tahitian pearls and therefore more valuable. A 10.4 mm to 13.5 m...

'The Century Atlas. Colorado.' Original antique map, 1903. Central fold as issued. Map name and number printed on the reverse corners. Sheet 29.5cm by 40cm.

'Odontoglossums' Flowers are numbered with a key to the varieties below the image. Antique English flower botanical chromolithograph.

Steel-engraved map with original outline colouring by Isaac Slater. A detailed engraved map of the English county with title, scale, and key. Decorated with an uncoloured engraved vi...

'162. Hypholoma sublateritium 163. Hypholoma fasciculare 164. Lacrymaria lacrymabunda' Antique French mushroom / fungi chromolithograph. From "Atlas des champignons de France, Suis...

A Pair of Japanese Cloisonné Vases, 19th Century With enameled flowers. Provenance: Private Australian Collection. Dimensions: Height: 20cm. Diameter: 8cm.

Nick Thomm - ONYX - Amber (XL SIZE 36" x 48"). Limited Edition #15 of 25. Hand Signed & Numbered. Archival Pigment Print on Hahnemühle 308gsm Fine Art Paper. Condition: NEW - Unopen...

A Chinese Cloisonne Tray with Qianlong Mark, Early 20th Century Home decor, Interior design and collectibles. Provenance: Private Victoria Collection. ...

'Swallow-wort Gentian' Process print from Frederick William Hulme’s ‘Familiar Wild Flowers’, circa 1890. Hulme was known as a teacher and an amateur botanist. He was the Professor ...

Oscar de la Renta’s exquisite top showcases the house’s masterful craftsmanship. This is a more subtle version of the viral floral beaded dress from the same Oscar de la Renta collection...