The book 100 Years of Auction History documents many of the private collections that the firm has handled over the years since it was established in 1919 by its namesake, Leonard Joel.
These include that of WHD Le Souef, director of Melbourne Zoological Gardens whose collection of curios was sold in 1923 and featured the head of a 3600-year-old Egyptian princess and the petrified bones of a plesiosaurus; as well as the remarkable sale in 1934 of the collection of Mr and Mrs George Lansell whose luxurious mansion, Fortuna Villa, represented the extraordinary wealth of the gold rush era.
All proceeds from sales of the book will be donated to Arts Project Australia and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
Exhibition
‘Valley of Sir Richard Arkwright 1911’ by Arthur Streeton – estimated at AUS$70,000-90,000 at Leonard Joel.
The centenary exhibition will take place in Melbourne on October 19-20 and will include highlights from forthcoming auctions.
Among the paintings on show is Valley of Sir Richard Arkwright by Arthur Streeton (1867-1943). Painted in 1911 during Streeton’s time in England and having remained in the same family for 105 years, it is estimated at AUS$70,000-90,000.
The 20 x 2ft 6in (51 x 75cm) oil on canvas will be offered at Leonard Joel’s fine art auction on November 26.
‘Bowl chair’ by Italian-born Brazilian modernist Lina Bo Bardi – estimated at AUS$2500-3500 at Leonard Joel.
Also appearing in the exhibition is a bowl chair by Italian-born Brazilian modernist Lina Bo Bardi (1914-92). Designed in Italy in 1951, it is from a limited edition of 500 and is estimated at AUS$2500-3500 at Leonard Joel’s modern design auction on November 11.
