- “The ground floor featured Middle Ages implements of torture and imprisonment, while the first floor held a comprehensive collection of clocks” – Phil Caldwell
About 400 clocks, music boxes and barometers from the Rudesheim Museum on the Rhine River in Germany are the highlight of auctioneer Phillip Caldwell’s twoday sale from noon Saturday at 899 High Street, Armadale.
Established about 30 years ago by a local resident, who spent millions of deutschmarks assembling a comprehensive collection from all parts of the world, the museum reflected many aspects of life from medieval to modern times. “The ground floor featured Middle Ages implements for torture and imprisonment, including the infamous rack, while the first floor held the comprehensive collection of clocks,” Phil Caldwell said. “The second floor contained a wealth of religious icons and polychrome figures.”
Apparently when the collector died, the museum was dismantled. An Australian collector bought the entire collection of antique clocks, music boxes and barometers and shipped them to Melbourne. Featured amongst them are more than 20 grandfather clocks including an early example by East, a top English clockmaker at the time. Beginning at 11am, the Sunday sale, which includes any items not related to the clock collection, features art works by famous Australian artists such as David Boyd, Albert Namatjira and Haughton Forrest (pictured) – the work illustrated in his book. There also are several fine Royal Worcester vases and French and English antique furniture. Viewing Friday and Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 9.30am-11am.
