The Year in Review: 2025 Auction Highlights

From Ancient Beads to Balmain Bugs

Our 2025 single vendor auctions featured the rare, the collectable, and the striking.

Early in the Year we brought to auction An Ancient & Antique Collection of Fine Beads, a stunning collection that included Egyptian Blue Faience, Pre Columbian Gold & Turquoise, impressive Ainu (Japanese Indigenous) and Naga Multi-Strand Coral Beads, pictured.

We presented The Carl Sriber Collection with handcrafted antique English & Australian pond boats – including an early Balmain Bug “Havoc” Pond Yacht, c.1940 (sold $4,375 IBP*) – and The Model Ship & Nautical Collection of Henry Kalazich. One of the most popular items among the vintage model ships and maritime collectables belonging to Kalazich -a Replica of the African Queen from the 1951 film of the same name ($1,062).

Vintage Cameras to Art Deco Ceramics

Photography enthusiasts enjoyed The Learmonth Collection of Fine Cameras, compiled by Australian architect Alfred Learmonth. It showcased rare cameras from the late 1800s through to late 20th century, including Alfred’s prized Voigtlander models ($25-$800).

The Collection of a Sydney Gentleman was eclectic, with studio pottery, art glass, antique jewellery & decorative arts. Highlights included a Pre-Renaissance Carved Hardstone Pendant depicting a Water Bird ($1,625) and a Meiji Period Japanese Satsuma Ware Bud Vase that drew exceptional interest, selling for $4,500.

One of our most popular auctions on the year was An Art Deco Collection, with teapots & tableware from English ceramist Clarice Cliff, Shelley & Royal Doulton porcelain, cigarette cases & compacts, clocks, perfume bottles, and mid century homewares. Books were also on offer – including first editions from Truman Capote, Raymond Chandler, Ian Fleming, and Patrick White. While one lucky bidder picked up a fabulous Mid Century Modern Chrome Plated Juicer for just $37, the highlight was a Clarice Cliff Cafe (Red) Bizarre Biscuit Box, c. 1931, pictured, that sold for $6,875.

We also presented around 15 home contents auctions – from beach shacks to Balinese stores, city pads and grand mansions.

Fine Art – Colonial to Contemporary

A standout in our April Fine Art auction was an exquisite collection of watercolours by John Edward Ward. One of Australia’s first filmmakers, Ward was an artist and bird collector, who lived variously between Britian, Australia & New Guinea. All twelve of his works sold to a single collector.

We presented auctions of Art Posters, Works on Paper | The Collection of John Yu AC & Various Vendors and contemporary art – such as The Estate of the Late Jo Meisner, whose interdisciplinary art practice included sculptural assemblage, photography and installation. Her perspex silhouette sculptures were on offer, as well as art books from her personal collection.

Art books also featured in The Library of the Late Sue Hewitt, The Graham Blondel Collection and A Collection of Art Books, one of four auctions we presented for the first time from Perth – with more to come.

We auctioned works by hundreds of artists – including Adelaide Perry, Charles Blackman, David Boyd and 19th Century Tasmanian artist William Buelow Gould, a former convict who became one of the premier artists of the new colony.

And reflecting strong collector interest in Indian art, a painting by Badri Narayan was one of the year’s surprise lots. Featuring handpainted ceramic tiles, View of the Town reached $30,000 from an estimate of $800-$1,000.

Outstanding Indigenous & Oceanic Art

Emily Kngwarreye, Dorothy Napangardi, George Hairbrush Tjungurrayi & Clifford Possum were just a few of the notable Indigenous artists at auction in 2025. Among the popular lots was Emu Travelling Dreaming, a 1972 painting by Tim Leura Tjapaltjarri ($68,750). The work featured in our first New York based auction – The Terence J Gilbert Collection of Aboriginal Art | USA, co-presented by Newstead Art.

We also brought to auction single vendor collections of Oceanic Art – including The Art Collection of The Late Dr James (Jim) Masselos (1940-2025), a scholar & co-founder of The Asian Arts Society of Australia (TAASA) and The David Whitfield Collection of Oceanic & Tribal Arts – with Toraja Tau Tau Figures, Turtle Shell Armbands, War Shields, Chest Ornaments, Masks, Lime Spatulas, Basketry, Jewellery & Textiles.

Lot highlights this year included a beautiful and Elaborate Kina Shell Chest Ornament from New Ireland, Papua New Guinea ($3,750, pictured) and a Nineteenth or Early Twentieth Century Biwat War Shield, from East Sepik Province ($18,750).

Divine Jewels…

Our Jewels, Silver & Timepieces auctions feature exquisite antiques, one-of-a-kind vintage items and contemporary statement pieces.

Among the bold and beautiful in 2025 – an Impressive 14ct Rose Gold Charm Bracelet, with Charms including a 14ct Gold Victorian Mourning Token ($4,500), a Bohemian Style Vintage 14ct Yellow Gold & Garnet Necklace ($5,000) and a stunning mid 1800s Burmese Ruby & Natural Pearl South Indian Pathakam Pendant ($2,000, pictured).

There was strong bidding for an 18ct White Gold Heart Diamond, Round Diamond & Ruby Pendant ($20,000), an Antique Rose Gold Amethyst Riviere Necklace ($4,000) and in Adelaide, an Opal & Diamond Drop Necklace ($30,000). Fun statement pieces also featured in a Gallery Collection of Contemporary Australian & New Zealand Jewellery.

… and European & Asian Decorative Arts

A highlight of our Decorative Arts calendar was An Impressive Decorative Arts Collection of a South Coast Gentleman, featuring Moorcroft pottery, Doulton Burslem porcelain, Royal Doulton Flambe figures, glassware from Lalique & Val St Lambert, and more.

Colourful and quirky finds through the year included 1950s Faience De Biot Verte Glazed Dinner Plates ($812), a Toen Klein Hand Blown Cat Face Vase ($625), a Mid Century Blue Glass Cocktail Set ($175) and one of our favourites – a beautiful Art Deco Carlton Ware “China Land” Bowl (pictured).

Among the stunning silverware was a Victorian Sterling Silver Footed Bowl by Henry Atkin, Sheffield ($650) and a 19th Century Burmese Silver Repousse Lidded Jar ($3,000).

In Asian decorative arts, we continued our series of auctions of The Dr John Yu Collection, featured Southeast Asian Textiles & Objects and presented The Koch Collection of Asian Antiquities, with an impressive selection of Famille Noir, Satsuma and Imari vases, Japanese lacquerware, bronze figurines & woodblock prints from Utagawa Sadahide & Utagawa Kunisada.

A wonderful selection of Laos & Ottoman medals featured in A Private Collection of Fine Asian & Tribal Art. While other interesting items last year included a collection of Vintage Chinese Cigarette Posters, and a superb Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Hawk Figures ($2,125).

Beautiful Books & Curious Collectables

We topped and tailed 2025 with some historical gems. In January, we featured an 1806 Hobart Town Handwritten Letter written by William Hopley, the Assistant Surgeon of Hobart Town, to a Charles Cox in London. The 4 page letter sold for an incredible $27,500.

In December, the pictured set of Charles Dickens’ The Nonesuch Dickens with 23 Volumes & an Original Steel Etching Plate was another that drew robust bidding, selling to an avid collector for $25,000.

From page to screen, pop culture favourites at auction in 2025 including the Bill Collins Mr Movies Collection, Doctor Who memorabilia and perennial favourite Star Wars, with items ranging from a Lifesize Cardboard Cut-Out of R2-D2 & C3-PO ($62) to a Swarovski Crystal Darth Vader ($687).

Diverse and distinctive, our Eclectic Objects highlights included a 1920s North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club Belt Champion Bronze Trophy ($1,375), a 19th Century Brass Mounted Telescope ($750) and a Hunter S. Thompson for Sheriff Poster, Aspen Colorado, c. 1991 ($10,000).

Vintage Fashion, Fine Wine & Furniture

Our fashion auctions continue to gain new admirers, with vintage clothing, shoes, handbags & accessories featuring in mixed and single vendor auctions such as The Zalloua Collection, and a Single Vendor Designer Collection.

Among the eye-catching fashion finds – a 1950s Floral Lucite Handbag ($300), Vintage Hats, a 1990s Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel Leather Chain Belt, ‘C’ Logo and a 1940s Leopard Fur Coat ($12,500). We rounded out 2025 with a Grand Christmas Luxury auction, a dazzling 1990’s Yellow Chanel Tote ($937, pictured) a favourite.

While Penfolds Grange continues to be a highlight of our Fine Wine auctions – such as this Case of Penfolds Grange Bin 95, Vintage 1994 ($3,000) – there was strong interest across wine and spirits, particularly for vintage blends including this Seppelt 100 Year Old Para Vintage Tawny.

Savvy buyers continued to pick up high quality antique & vintage furniture for a song. While this French Rosewood & Kingwood Marquetry Centre Table, c.1870 went for $3,000 and this Edwardian Specimen Cabinet for $1,250, this lovely Edwardian Cabinet sold for just $100.

Auctions for Great Causes

We host a huge number of commercial auctions for charity every year, including regular Unclaimed Post auctions and the Sydney Airport Lost Property Auction, which since 2013 has raised more than $1.9 million for charitable organisations. In partnership with Sydney’s Inner West Council, proceeds from the five auctions in June supported local families struggling with cost-of-living pressures by providing swimming lessons for children.

Theodore Bruce is Australia’s oldest family run auction house – with regular auctions in all collecting areas, including Aboriginal Art, Asian Art, Books, Prints & Ephemera, Collectables, Decorative Arts, Fashion, Fine Art, Fine Wines & Spirits, Furniture, Jewels, Silver & Timepieces, Oceanic & Tribal Art and Single Vendor Collections – plus an expert and discrete valuation service for fine art, antiques and rare books.

To stay informed and discover your own special finds, please join our mailing list below – or keep an eye on Upcoming Auctions.

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*All prices quoted including buyer’s premium (IBP)