A number of our upcoming auctions include pieces from the collection of William (1880 - 1948) and Lorna Crowle (1898 - 1985).
William Crowle was an import agent for such diverse goods as Buick cars and Wurlitzer organs. Following his financial success in business he became a prominent art and antiques collector, as well as a great Sydney socialite. The Crowles hosted many parties at their home 'Once Upon A Time' in Potts Point, and travelled widely spending six months of the year in foreign climes. They even had their yacht 'Dindemah' transported from Sydney to France so they could sail the canals of Europe in comfort.
Eminently philanthropic they also gifted many pieces from their collection to the nation. A large number of books were donated to the Mitchell Library, the oil painting 'The signing of the treaty of peace at Versailles, 28 June 1919' by Joseph Finnemore was given to the Australian War Memorial, and a stone ‘grotesque’ from the UK House of Commons was presented to the Australian Government.
