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The most significant collection of historical international art ever offered for sale in Australia will be auctioned by Sotheby’s Australia on 29 April 2018 in Sydney. Important Art from The John Schaeffer AO Collection comprising 56 lots (estimate AUD$3.3 million to AUD$4.4 million), assembled gradually over several decades, reflects the impeccable taste and connoisseurship of its creator, John Schaeffer. (338.68 KB)

On 7 April 2018, Sotheby’s Australia auctioned the private collection of actor, film producer, director and musician, Russell Crowe. The sale included an important collection of Australian art, decorative arts, watches and jewellery, together with music and sporting memorabilia, and costumes, props, musical instruments and items from Crowe’s extensive and diverse career in film and music. Consisting of 226 items, the sale realised $3.7 million with 145% sold by value. Following a rendition of Happy Birthday by Alisa Nastestki, Russell Crowe made an impromptu personal appearance for the Sydney audience. (319.26 KB)

Results | Russell Crowe: The Art of Divorce | Sydney 7 April 2018 | Top Lots (57.30 KB)

An impressive collection of sporting memorabilia will be auctioned by Sotheby’s Australia on 7 April 2018 in Sydney. Consigned from the private collection of actor, film producer, director and musician, Russell Crowe, the collection comprises many significant items of Australian and international sporting history from baseball, boxing, cricket, rugby, swimming and tennis. Consisting of 227 items, the Russell Crowe: The Art of Divorce sale is estimated at AUD$2.6 million to AUD$3.7 million and will be held at Carriageworks, Sydney. (499.41 KB)

Sotheby’s Australia’s March sale of Fine Australian & European Arts & Design showcased a diverse collection of Australian and international arts and design. The sale followed The Hans & Gertrud Mueller Collection of Lalique Glass and The Kirk Pengilly (INXS) Collection and included 60 Australian & European works from the 1850s to the present and featured objects of exquisite craftsmanship and design from private collections which includes an extensive collection of fine Australian and European art, furniture, glass, porcelain and silver. The three sales achieved $1.18 million with 86% sold by value, with interest from Australia and overseas. (286.20 KB)

On 21 March 2018 Sotheby’s Australia auctioned an exceptional collection of René Lalique glass from the private collection of the late Mr Hans Mueller & Mrs Gertrud Mueller. The most important collection of Lalique glass ever offered in Australia, the Mueller Collection consisted of over 130 pieces of coloured glass from the early 20th century and realised $545,340 with 118.8% sold by value with interest coming from Australia, Europe and America. René Lalique’s name is synonymous with the Art Deco period. His statuettes, ornaments, figurines, vases, jewellery and architectural adornments encapsulate the art of living, are internationally renowned, and appreciated by galleries, museums and collectors throughout the world. (212.59 KB)

On 21 March 2018, Sotheby’s Australia conducted an important sale of Australian music history from the private collection of Mr Kirk Pengilly, founding member, guitarist, saxophonist and backing vocalist for INXS. The Kirk Pengilly (INXS) Collection comprised rare guitars, and a selection of the working instruments used in studio recordings such as The Swing, Listen Like Thieves, X, Welcome to Wherever You Are, Kick and concert tours associated with those albums and realised $228,323 with 143% sold by value. (274.39 KB)

Two historical masterpieces by New Zealand’s leading artists have been discovered in a private collection in Sydney and will be offered for auction by Sotheby’s Australia on Wednesday 16 May in Sydney. Charles Frederick Goldie’s Pokai (The Strategist) 1921 (estimate AUD$300,000-400,000) and Gottfried Lindauer’s Maori Girl Learning the Haka (estimate AUD$250,000-350,000) were acquired by a Sydney collector from a New Zealand gallery nearly 30 years ago and have remained hidden from public view since that time. (238.78 KB)

On 7 April 2018, Sotheby’s Australia will auction the private collection of actor, film producer, director and musician, Russell Crowe. The sale features a selection of significant musical instruments and awards, including a concert level violin by Leandro Bisiach Snr, a 1986 Grammy award, a selection of electric and acoustic guitars of which a highlight is a rare 1870 Martin 2-42 Parlour guitar. Consisting of 227 items, the sale is estimated at $2.6 million to $3.7 million and will be held at Carriageworks, Sydney. (225.54 KB)

A masterpiece by celebrated Australian artist Brett Whiteley has been rediscovered in a private collection in Melbourne and will be offered for auction by Sotheby’s Australia on Wednesday 16 May in Sydney. Bathroom and Figure 1963 (estimate $350,000-450,000, pictured) was acquired by a Melbourne collector from Blue Boy Art Gallery in Melbourne more than 30 years ago and has remained hidden from public view for over half a century since it was last publicly exhibited at Marlborough Fine Art, London. The painting was created whilst Whiteley lived in London and at a time when his precocious talent was first recognised and celebrated by international critics, public institutions and collectors. (203.61 KB)

On 7 April 2018, Sotheby’s Australia will auction the private collection of actor, film producer, director and musician, Russell Crowe. The sale includes an important collection of Australian art, decorative arts, watches and jewellery, together with music and sporting memorabilia, and costumes, props, musical instruments and items from Crowe’s extensive and diverse career in film and music. Consisting of 227 items, the sale is estimated at $2.6 million to $3.7 million and will be held at Carriageworks, Sydney. (462.82 KB)

Sotheby’s Australia’s March sale of Fine Australian & European Arts & Design will showcase a diverse collection of Australian and international arts and design. Following The Hans & Gertrud Mueller Collection of Lalique Glass and The Kirk Pengilly (INXS) Collection over 60 Australian & European works from the 1850s to the present will be auctioned. Commencing at 6 pm on 21 March at the InterContinental Sydney, the sale feature objects of exquisite craftsmanship and design from private collections which includes an extensive collection of fine Australian and European art, furniture, glass, porcelain and silver. (205.16 KB)

On 21 March 2018 Sotheby’s Australia will hold an exceptional sale of René Lalique glass from the private collection of the late Mr Hans Mueller & Mrs Gertrud Mueller. The most important collection of Lalique glass ever offered in Australia, the Mueller Collection consists of over 130 pieces of coloured glass from the early 20th century and is estimated at AUD$462,100 to AUD$642,300. René Lalique’s name is synonymous with the Art Deco period: his unique and specialised techniques with glass gave rise to a style that was essentially expressed through the contrast between clear and frosted glass, sometimes with added patina, enamel or the use of colour. His statuettes, ornaments, figurines, vases, jewellery and architectural adornments encapsulate the art of living and are internationally renowned and appreciated by galleries, museums and collectors throughout the world. (171.94 KB)

On 21 March 2018, Sotheby’s Australia will host an exceptional sale of Australian music history with the private collection of Mr Kirk Pengilly, founding member, guitarist, saxophonist and backing vocalist for INXS. Estimated at $159,600 to $229,500, The Kirk Pengilly (INXS) Collection comprises rare guitars, and a selection of the working instruments used in studio recordings such as The Swing, Listen Like Thieves, X, Welcome to Wherever You Are, Kick and concert tours associated with those albums. (173.11 KB)

Strong buyer interest at the December sale of Important Jewels realised an outstanding result of $2.53 million, the highest jewels auction result for Sotheby’s Australia since 2011. Featuring a stunning collection of antique and contemporary jewels and watches, the sale included a magnificent selection of designer and iconic pieces from Bulgari, Cartier, Chopard, Graff, David Webb, Rolex, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef & Arpels, together with an impressive selection of affordable and aspirational diamonds, coloured diamonds and precious gemstones. In 2017 Sotheby’s Australia sold $5.75 million of jewels at auction, the highest annual turnover for the auctioneer since 2011. (108.58 KB)