Back

Lot 181

A RARE ANTIQUE AUSTRALIAN CAST IRON 'FOUR SEASONS' GARDEN BENCH SEAT
David Thomson, Eagle Foundry, Gawler, South Australia, last quarter 19th century

After the original design by Morgan, Macauley, & Wade, Bath Works, Rotherham, South Yorkshire registered in 1870, the four medallions of the back modelled with figures of agricultural workers at their seasonal tasks, the backs and the open scrolling supports otherwise cast to floral and foliate designs, the maker's name cast to the back, later painted pale grey-green, the hardwood seat in cream
86cm high, 180cm wide, 79cm deep

Estimate $1,800 - $2,400

Sold for $7,500

Structurally sound and tight, showing typical use-related wear, scattered superficial rust, and surface dirt.

The iron, which appears to be in good condition, is covered in a pale grey-green paint (probably two or three decades old) over at least two (and probably more) earlier coats of paint, the accumulation of which does somewhat obscure some of the finer decorative details in the casting. There are scattered knocks and chips, flake losses, and wear to the grey-green paint, mostly to extremities, in some cases only through to earlier layers of paint and elsewhere through to the iron, with superficial rust associated with some of these paint losses (all as generally apparent in the catalogue photos).

There is some unevenness to the sides of some of the feet. Being well covered with paint, the nature of this is not certain but may be original lacunae in the casting.

The three thick hardwood boards of the seat are later. These are painted white, with some discolouration from rust around the heads of the bolts fixing them in place and fine shrinkage splits at their end (not affecting their firmness in place).



The opinions expressed in the condition reports are a guide only and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Prospective buyers are encouraged to seek further information or request additional images during our pre-sale period where Leonard Joel staff are available for advice. Please note condition reports can be amended during the pre-sale period, so we strongly suggest any interested bidders check the published condition report available on the website before the auction commences. Leonard Joel makes no guarantee of the originality of mechanical or applied components. Absence of reference to such modifications does not imply that a lot is free from modifications.

Decorative Arts

AUCTION
Sale: LJ8805
4:00pm - 30 March 2026
Hawthorn

VIEWING
Fri 27 - Sun 29 March, 11am - 5pm
2 Oxley Rd, Hawthorn, VIC

CONTACT
Chiara Curcio
decorativearts@leonardjoel.com.au


SIMILAR ITEMS

Lot 257

Alexander MACDONALD (1847–?) A Classical female figure, probably Diana, accompanied by a hound with a hare beneath its paw Marble 14...

Estimate: $25,000-35,000

Lot 165

AN EXTREMELY RARE AND IMPORTANT PAIR OF DONALD BRADMANS 1948 ASHES TEST MATCH BATTING GLOVES Worn by Bradman as captain of The Inv...

Estimate: $15,000-25,000

Lot 256

Richard MacDONALD (b. 1946) Doves (Half-Life) Patinated bronze, on a stepped circular marble base 106cm high (including the base),...

Estimate: $14,000-18,000

Lot 101

AN AUSTRIAN 14k GOLD CIGARETTE CASE Makers mark G.S, Vienna, second quarter 20th century

Estimate: $12,000-15,000

To top