At a packed, standing room only September Philips auction, 248 bidders enthusiastically contested over 400 lots of decorative arts and delivered a fantastic clearance rate in excess of 85%. The afternoon’s highlight was the stunning result that Philips provided for the sellers of a Nephrite tray bearing the stamp of Fabergé and master initials MP for Mikhael Perchin.

With an estimate in the range of $10,000 – $20,000, bidding soon escalated to $70,000 and became a fiery contest between two determined parties who battled it out in $1,000 increments. After pausing for breath at a remarkable $120,000, the chase continued with the triumphant bid coming in at a stunning $150,000 including buyers premium. On hearing of the seller’s surprise and elation at the amazing result, Director Tony Philips commented, “We love ecstatic vendors!”

With a great range of silver, 60 lots of Georgian glass, a run of Persian rugs and fantastic furniture items, the Philips September auction could not be better. However, with the offering of a stunning Fabergé Nephrite Dish this event is set to be even bigger with huge interest in this rare and desirable piece.

From the collection of John Traina, and featured in the Géza von Habsburg publication Fabergé in America, this impressive vibrant green circular tray is dated pre 1896 and bears the mark of renowned Fabergé workmaster Michael Perchin. Director Tony Philips says, “You don’t often get works of this quality. It’s a very collectable item, and it’s a one-off!”

In an extraordinary sales event, Philips Auctions closed off July with a double auction featuring the highly successful Timothy Menzel Fine English Porcelain Collection, followed by a blockbuster Decorative Arts auction that was the sales focus of the year.

Demonstrating the calibre of the Philips team, the offering and successful sale of the important Eugene Von Guérard oil painting The Pinnacles, Cape Woolamai represents a major milestone in the years auction calendar. The record breaking sale was delivered with strong bidding, opening at $30,000 and rising in $5,000 lots to achieve a great outcome of $198,000 including buyers premium. The vendor was thrilled with the stunning result, proving the market’s appetite for quality items with great provenance.

Director Tony Philips said “This major result represents great teamwork, and the trust our vendors place in us when dealing with serious and valuable works.”

The forthcoming Philips July auction will be an absolute blockbuster, and with two major sales events running back to back, it is set to be the auction of the year! Beginning with the much anticipated Timothy Menzel Fine English Porcelain Collection which has attracted great international interest, the afternoon will conclude with a packed Decorative Arts auction of over 350 fascinating lots.

Representing a major highlight of this year’s auction calendar, Philips proudly present an extremely rare and valuable oil on canvas study by renowned painter Eugen Von Guérard. Depicting the famous view of the granite rocks at Cape Woolamai known as The Pinnacles, this work is seen as the preliminary to his painting View of the granite rocks at Cape Woolamai which recently sold for nearly a million dollars at auction in Sydney. With its authenticity fully verified, this iconic and sought after work will make for a sound investment with its enormous growth potential and ease of future sale.

A highlight of this year's auction calendar is the offering of a major internationally significant porcelain collection in its entirety. The Timothy Menzel Early English Porcelain Collection is an outstanding example of a lifetime's research and acquisition culminating in a world leading exposition of this important decorative arts form.

On Sunday 30th July 2017, Philips will be offering this superb collection in a special auction to be held prior to our usual Decorative Arts sale event. This historic occasion will be of great interest to ceramics collectors, with its scale encompassing 250 – 300 items of the highest quality and desirability, most in pristine museum quality condition.