IMPORTANT AUSTRALIAN COLLECTION TO BE AUCTIONED IN LONDON

THE 150 ITEM GRAHAM GEDDES COLLECTION

COLLECTION OF VASES THAT OFFER A WINDOW ONTO THE ANCIENT GREEK WORLD TO SELL AT BONHAMS

A stunning collection of Greek vases bought over many years by one of Australia's most important collectors of ancient art - Graham Geddes - is to be sold at Bonhams next Antiquities Sale on 15 October in London.  It is estimated that the Collection which comprises over 150 lots will sell for more than a 1 Million Pounds.

Chantelle Waddingham, Head of Antiquities at Bonhams, says: "The Graham Geddes Collection represents an enduring passion for the classical past by Australia's foremost collector and dealer. His love for antiquities was sparked in the early 1970's by the inspirational guidance of William Culican and Peter Connor, both lecturers of classical archaeology at the University of Melbourne."
 
"The most important item in this collection is a vase by the famed painter of the 'Berlin Dancing Girl', a vase of incredible quality and condition, which marks the transition of Greek vase painting from the Attic to the South Italian."
 
"These vases offer a window into the world of the Ancient Greeks, not only their myths and legends but also their everyday lives. As John Boardman, author of The History of Greek Vases (London 2001) has said: they are as subtle and informative as the great works of Greek literature."
 
A large and important Apulian red-figure hydria vase circa 410-400 B.C standing just over 20 inches high is estimated to sell for 90,000Pounds to 110,000Pounds.
 
Besides the breathtaking vases in the Geddes Collection there are also some beautiful examples of Roman marble reliefs including one of Diana the Huntress from the 2nd Century A.D. estimated to sell for 60,000 to 90,000 Pounds and a battle scene with warriors and Eros from the same period also estimated at 60,000 to 90,000 Pounds.
 
DID ELVIS HAVE A PREVIOUS LIFE IN ANCIENT ROME?

Perhaps the strangest item in the sale, certainly to modern eyes, is a Roman marble acroterion - a carved head from a sarcophagus corner - which is the spitting image of Elvis Presley (Illustrated). The likeness is so great that Graham Geddes, the collector himself calls the carving "Elvis".  Fans of the King of Rock 'n Roll, seeing this face from the distant past, will be forgiven for thinking that their idol may well have lived a previous life in Rome! Looking at this face with its Elvis-like quiff, strong jaw and nose, one is inevitably led to the thought that the human face for all is diversity and subtlety has after all an ability to repeat itself, hence the shock of the doppelganger, in this case a Roman Elvis.
 
Alongside the Geddes Collection Bonhams will be holding its regular Antiquities auction at 2.30pm on Wednesday 15 October.

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF YOUR TREASURED ITEM OR COLLECTION?

FIND OUT AT THE BONHAMS & GOODMAN NORTH SHORE DISCOVERY DAY

What is the value of your treasured item or whole collection?  Sydney's North Shore residents will have a unique opportunity to find out at the North Shore Discovery Day.   This special, one-off event will take place on Thursday 31 July, from 10am to 4pm, at the Killara Golf Club.  Five internationally-trained Bonhams & Goodman specialists will be in attendance offering complimentary appraisals of art, antiques, decorative arts, and fine jewellery, and receiving consignments for future auctions. 

If you have special items you are thinking of selling, please register your interest by telephoning Edwina Foley on 9327 9912 or e-mail details to edwina.foley@bonhams.com.

If you can't make it to the Discovery Day, all is not lost! The Bonhams & Goodman team is available to conduct complimentary auction appraisals all year round, and we are currently inviting entries for our forthcoming auctions.

Please telephone 02 9327 9900 to make an appointment, or submit your item for valuation through our online service  .

EVENT DETAILS:
North Shore Discovery Day
Killara Golf Club, 556 Pacific Highway, Killara
Thursday 31 July
10am to 4pm

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WORLD RECORD PRICE OF 12,000 POUNDS FOR FISHING CREEL AT BONHAMS HENLEY SALE

A fine 19th century leather pot-bellied  fishing creel, which sold in 1951 for 1 Pound, made 12,000 Pounds at Bonhams Henley Sale of fishing equipment and boats on 19 July. Prior to the sale the creel was  estimated to sell for 6,000 to 8,000 Pounds.

Bonhams fishing specialist,  Charles Kewley commenting on the price achieved for the creel, says: "This  price is a clear signal that period fishing equipment is increasingly sought  after and collectable. Previous best prices for period creels have been  between 3,000 and 6,000 Pounds. It is extraordinary that an object sold for 1 Pound in  1951 is now worth 12,000 Pounds. The two charming stories associated with this creel  must be a factor in its value. Collectors range from ordinary fishermen with a  passion for their hobby to wealthy fishing enthusiasts who are building  serious collections of fish and fishing gear."

The current owner of the  creel bought it as a young lad, aged 10 in 1951, in a summer fete in the  Rutland area with the money (20 shillings) he had just won for collecting the  most 'cabbage white' butterflies, a popular practice in English  villages. 

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