A fine collection of antique furniture, old master paintings, Melitensia and major pieces of Maltese modern art will go under the hammer at Ta' Xbiex with viewing being held between Sunday and Wednesday followed by the auction between November 19 and 21.
Assessed by leading experts and consultants in fine arts, the collection, from one central provenance and a number of private entries, is generating antiquarian interest because of the volume and the quality of the works being put up for sale.
The auction, including over 20 works by the most significant artists of the mid-20th century, has been instructed by Counts Stephen and Sean Sant Fournier and will be conducted by Obelisk Auctions.
Willie Apap hits the market with, among other paintings and drawings, an impressive self-portrait in oils on canvas and a Ballerinas painting.
Vincent Apap will be present with two gesso bozzetti for his famous series of Prophets at the Nazzareno church in Sliema.
A fascinating bozzetto by Giuseppe Briffa is a rare addition to the latter's oeuvre.
The Broken Glass series executed in the 1960s by Emvin Cremona was a milestone in the story of modern art in Malta and a beautiful example will be on sale. From the hand of the great British abstract artist Victor Pasmore, who spent most of his maturity in Malta, are two prints in immaculate condition.
Among the work of other modern and contemporary artists are those of Carmelo Mangion, Joseph Bellia, Anton Agius, Samuel Bugeja, Giuseppe Arcidiacono, Antoine Camilleri, Gabriel Caruana and Luciano Micallef.
The collection includes a painting of a ship entering Grand Harbour by A. Schranz and two rare washes of the Grand Harbour by Giorgio Pullicino.
The old master section has a significant work representing St James by the bottega of Mattia Preti (datable to c.1690) and other paintings that can be associated with the circle of Preti. Two painted garlands of flowers are a treat for art collectors as also is a 17th century Concertino and a mid-17th century painting of St John the Baptist.
Items of furniture and objets d'art abound.
Impressive is a chest of drawers intricately inlaid with lacework, a rare drum table and a Maltese clock that still features its original clockwork.
For Melitensia lovers, there will be a rare collection of 16th, 17th and 18th century prints and the original architectural drawings for the Floriana parish church are a must for lovers of church architecture.
There are over 600 lots, ranging from a wood-carved tabernacle to a fine Maltese silver coffee pot for those looking for a good buy!