Former diplomat’s impressive lifetime collection up for auction

Items from Richard Gate’s lifetime collection proudly displayed in his home in Reid. Photo: Luton Properties.

Several hundred items collected by respected former Australian diplomat Richard Gate are up for auction on ALLBIDS.

Richard, whose book Nine lives: Episodes in an Australian foreign service career was published earlier this year, recently suffered a stroke and has moved into a nursing home.

The collection includes many pieces acquired during overseas postings, which had been proudly displayed in his home in Reid which is also up for sale.

Andrew Whitehead, expert valuer and head of collectables and antiques at ALLBIDS, says it’s rare to receive such an astute collection, with many significant items on offer across the two days of the auction.

“The collection consists of items Richard acquired here and overseas, and it appears he actively sought valuable and interesting pieces and was prepared to spend money on them. He’s a true collector, and a very clever man – only his mobility has been affected by the stroke which is why he is downsizing.”

Richard’s eclectic collection reflects decades in foreign affairs.

Richard’s known postings included South Korea, Nauru, Israel, Kenya, Burma (Ambassador), Jordan (Ambassador), Bangladesh, as well as Italy and New Zealand (High Commissioner).

Andrew says the collection includes some magnificent Korean antique furniture and ceramics, which likely date back to the 12^th or 13^th century.

“Richard was in Korea not long after the war. There had been significant upheaval and I imagine his dollar was quite powerful at the time. He’s held onto them all these years.

“There are also a few impressive Australian artefacts, such as 18^th and 19^th century topographical art. These are from the era when voyagers would leave their homeland and take an artist with them to document what they saw and found. Richard has kindly donated some of these to the National Gallery of Australia, and some are part of the auction.”

A sample of Richard’s collection, up for auction on ALLBIDS, with some items dating back to the 12th or 13th centuries.

Andrew’s favourite pieces include:

• Antique east African ivory and bone embellished ebony throne chair
• Anglo Indian finely carved padouk gentleman’s campaign press, circa 1840
• Antique Korean metal mounted elm tansu
• Shan states tinned bronze rain drum 20th century
• Korean bronze kundika and bottle vase, possibly Goryeo Dynasty 10th/11th century
• Burmese silver-cased sword with enamel decoration
• Fine semi-antique Persian qashqai carpet
• Small antique Korean brass mounted burlwood altar cabinet.

Visit ALLBIDS to bid on pieces from Richard Gate’s collection is session 1 or session 2.