Treasures of Time: The Enduring Legacy of Philips Auctions Australia

Within an elegant Victorian-era facade, stands a bastion of heritage and high drama: the grand banking chamber at 47 Glenferrie Road, Malverm. Once the domain of financiers plotting empires, it now hosts a different kind of transaction—one where fortunes are made not with ledgers, but with the flick of a gavel. This is Philips Auctions Australia, Melbourne’s premier auction house, a wholly Australian-owned institution that has spent over four decades transforming personal legacies into public spectacles. As the city’s oldest specialist jewellery auctioneer, with more than 30 years of dedicated sales under its belt, Philips continues to draw collectors, connoisseurs, and curious newcomers to its hallowed halls, blending the thrill of the chase with the quiet reverence for history.

The story of Philips Auctions is one of resilience and reinvention, rooted in the vision of its founder, the late Arnold Philips. Established more than 40 years ago, the house began as a modest venture amid Melbourne’s vibrant post-war antiques scene, specialising in the dispersal of cherished family heirlooms and forgotten treasures. Arnold, a sharp-eyed dealer with an unerring instinct for value, built a reputation for integrity in an industry often shadowed by speculation. By the late 1980s, as the business hummed along McKillop Street in the city centre, it caught the attention of Andrew Cripps, a director since 1987 who would become its steward. In the early 1990s, Cripps orchestrated a pivotal move: relocating to the opulent former banking chamber in Malvern. This wasn’t mere logistics; it was a statement of permanence. The inaugural sale from the new premises—the clearance of fittings, fixtures, and select furniture from the iconic George’s of Collins Street department store—set the tone for what was to come. What followed was a cascade of significant collections, from aristocratic estates to celebrity wardrobes, cementing Philips as a cornerstone of Australia’s auction landscape.

What sets Philips apart is not just its storied past, but its forward-thinking ethos. In an era when many auction houses clung to dusty ledgers, Philips embraced technology early, integrating computers and digital photography to streamline bidding and broaden access. Today, this pioneering spirit manifests in seamless online platforms, allowing global participants to vie for a Georgian silver tea service or a mid-century modern vase from the comfort of their homes. The house conducts eight specialised sales annually—focusing on decorative arts and jewellery—supplemented by bespoke events every six weeks. These encompass fine arts, antique and 20th-century furniture, porcelain, silverware, luxury watches, and even rare gold coins. Valuations form another pillar of their expertise: whether for probate, insurance, or divorce settlements, Philips offers meticulous assessments across antiques, paintings, and jewels, often paired with discreet shipping and packaging services. For those with sprawling estates, on-site auctions bring the spectacle to the seller’s doorstep, turning a family home into a temporary theatre of commerce.

The allure of Philips lies in its ability to unearth narratives as compelling as the objects themselves. Jewellery sales, a hallmark since the house’s inception, regularly feature pieces that whisper of bygone eras: Art Deco diamond brooches from the Jazz Age, or Edwardian pearl necklaces once gracing society balls. In recent years, the house has expanded its horizons to luxury timepieces, hosting what is billed as Australia’s largest and finest gents’ watch auction in June 2025—a single-owner collection conservatively valued at AU$2.2 million, which shattered expectations with fervent bidding. Earlier that year, the Unreserved Fine Watches Auction on 30 June realised seven-figure sums, drawing horology enthusiasts from across the globe. Nor has Philips shied from numismatic marvels; in 2022, it orchestrated Australia’s biggest-ever gold sovereign sale, including a rare 1866 Sydney Mint piece that evoked the gold rush fever of colonial days. More intimately, themed collections like the Cooper Collection of Japanese and Chinese arts in April 2024, or the unreserved estate of Har Siu in June that same year, highlight Philips’ knack for curating sales that resonate emotionally as much as financially.

Just days ago, on 27 October 2025, the Fine & Decorative Arts Auction closed with a flourish, offering over 250 lots from Georgian silver to contemporary ceramics, underscoring the house’s commitment to variety in a market increasingly dominated by blue-chip names. Looking ahead, whispers from Glenferrie Road suggest preparations for a landmark holiday sale in December, potentially featuring provenance-rich items from a retiring collector’s trove. Under Cripps’ steady hand—now complemented by a team of seasoned valuers and auctioneers—Philips remains agile, adapting to the digital tide while honouring the tactile joy of live bidding. “Auctions are about stories,” Cripps once remarked in a rare interview, “and we’re merely the narrators.”

For those tempted by the gavel’s call, Philips Auctions Australia invites engagement at every level. Valuations are complimentary for serious inquiries, and catalogues—meticulously produced and mailed to a devoted database—arrive like promises of discovery. Whether you’re a seasoned bidder eyeing a Patek Philippe or a novice pondering a porcelain figurine, the house’s ethos of accessibility endures.

Contact Details Philips Auctions Australia 47 Glenferrie Road Malvern, Victoria 3144 Australia Telephone: +61 3 9509 6788 Email: philips@philipsauctions.com.au Website: www.philipsauctions.com.au Online Bidding: philipsauctions.bidsonline.com.au

In an age of fleeting trends, Philips Auctions stands as a testament to the timeless: objects that outlast us, and the auctions that ensure their tales endure. The next chapter? It’s only a bid away.