The ‘Andre and Cecile Fink Liquidation Sale’ by Bonhams on 31st October, is likely to attract some interesting foreign buyers say the international auction house.
James Hendy, Bonhams CEO in Australia, says: “There are a number of items in this sale that will doubtless attract French and European buyers as well as major Chinese art buyers. And because the sale is being held with a ‘no reserve’ price on any of the items, this is an added incentive that will attract broad public interest.
Andre and Cecile Fink traded under the name ‘Decorative Art’ at Juniper Hall, in Oxford Street, Paddington, Sydney, a substantial Georgian colonial villa built in 1825 and now a National Trust property, where the Bonhams sale will be held on 31st October. The Fink’s were leading specialists in 18th Century French furniture, works of art, paintings and clocks.
One of the main highlights of the sale, which will be of undoubted interest in China and France, is an important French mid-18th century Louis XV ormolu-mounted Chinese lacquer and mother of pearl commode, by Matthieu Criaerd of Paris. It is estimated to fetch AUS$350,000 – 500,000.
Another very special item is Lot 78, a pair of French 18th century Louis XVI cream-painted fauteuils (armchairs), most probably by Jean Avisse of Paris, estimated to sell for AUS$ 10,000-15,000.
The Fink’s business, Decorative Art was Australia’s leading specialists in fine 18th century French antique furniture, mostly of the Louis XV and Louis XVI periods. But they also specialised in items from the periods of Louis XIII and Louis XIV, and later, from the First Empire and Restoration periods of the 19th century. Many of the 18th century pieces are by famous makers and bear their stamp .
‘Decorative Art’ also dealt in other aspects of the fine and decorative arts of France, including sculpture and painting, porcelain, clocks, tapestries, and screens, chandeliers and candlesticks, and the famed Aubusson carpets.
James Hendy comments: “There are some lower valued lots in the sale which provide an excellent opportunity for art lovers to pick up good value French antiques ‘without reserve’. This will be another must-attend event at Bonhams!”
There is a sale page for this auction on Bonhams website at www.bonhams.com/australia, having been catalogued by Francois LeBrun, Head of Continental Furniture at Bonhams in London.