SYDNEY.- Bonhams Australia announced the forthcoming sale: ‘Tony White: The Jeweller’s Eye’, a celebration of the work and life of the Late Tony White. The auction will take place in Sydney on 27 September 2020.

Tony White created one-of-a-kind jewellery for over four decades, carving out a singular space in the Australian art world. Exquisitely made, his work is sculptural and wearable, combining the beauty of the past with timeless style inspired by nature and his explorations around the world. He chose to exhibit his work in fine art galleries and created pieces for celebrity clients as wide-ranging as The Pope to Kate Middleton.

The Sale will include over 250 unique pieces of exquisite bespoke jewellery, furniture, and key works from his extraordinary contemporary art collection including works by Brett Whiteley, Charles Blackman, and Joel Elenberg.

Each of White’s pieces are individual, never to be replicated. Having travelled extensively and collected treasure troves of objects sourced from antique markets around the world, White incorporated them into his designs using a wide range of materials, from rare and natural Keshi pearls to precious opals, corals, and ancient stones including antique cameos and intaglios.

Commenting on Tony White, Merryn Schriever Director Bonhams Australia said: ‘White’s distinct touch combined gemstones, pearls with beads and ancient stones that highlighted the beauty of each object in necklaces, earrings, brooches and bracelets all set in the highest quality, using a refined and one-of-a-kind taste. We are honoured to be presenting this auction of extraordinary and beautiful objects. It will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire an exquisite piece of timeless jewellery designed by an artist.’




Originally trained as an architect, White’s designs are unlike anything made by other jewellers. Set in the highest quality, using refined and off-beat style, his pieces range from necklaces of spectacular gem or curio with rows of ruby or emerald beads to whimsical designs of natural Keshi pearls fashioned into tiny birds or buds of flowers. There are bees, butterflies, dragonflies and flies of gold, pearls and gemstones; there are pieces inspired by countries and cultures such as ancient Egypt, China and the South Seas, and early pieces incorporating organic and natural materials such as tusk and shells.

White designed jewellery for numerous celebrities including President George H W Bush and Barbara Bush, Donald Trump, Lauren Bacall and American actress and supermodel Carmen Dell’Orefice, who often modelled White’s jewellery and became a close friend.

Prominent Australian clients included Michael Hutchence, who commissioned White to make Kylie Minogue’s first diamond ring, Julia Gillard, Ita Buttrose, Cate Blancett, Gai Waterhouse, Jill Wran and Rebel Penfold to name a few. Tony’s friends and clients included many of Australia’s great artists: John Olsen, Margaret Olley with whom he travelled with, and Brett Whiteley who did a full-page collage in White’s guestbook, in lieu of a payment of $50!

Tony White set-up his studio and ‘jewel box’ showroom at his home in Potts Point, Sydney. His model was original, exclusively showing his work in galleries locating his work in the world of fine art. Throughout his career, he exhibited and held shows within art galleries, including the David Jones Gallery (early in his career), and for over four decades at the highly respected Australian Galleries in Sydney and Melbourne, and Philip Bacon Galleries in Brisbane. His work is part of permanent public collections at the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Art Gallery of Western Australia and the Powerhouse Museum and included in many private collections.

Stuart Purves Director of Australian Galleries comments: ‘Tony White created a new category entirely: not to be sold in shops but to be appreciated as art. His work is beautiful, fabulous and utterly spectacular’.

Later in his career White moved into the American market where he developed unique and highly successful private viewing ‘trunk shows’ twice-yearly in New York, Houston and Chicago where an ‘A-list’ of wealthy American celebrities were enthusiastic clients.

The Collection of The Late Tony White includes exceptional unique pieces of bespoke jewellery, numerous objects that inspired him, and furniture and paintings from White’s personal collection.