Testimonials

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The winding up of John Dunn Antiques was a monumental decision for me,as with any family business emotions are always to the fore. I had gone through a process of selecting someone who was professional and had empathy for not only the quality stock but for the business reputation gained over 64 years. Paul was a stand out from day one,he said to me "if you leave it all to me and follow my advice,it will be an outstanding auction" It turned out to be the best advice . Paul,Amanda and his staff worked tirelessly over three months ,researching ,photographing and cataloguing .They produced a truly brilliant catalogue which was expertly marketed to past clients,new Australian and international clients. The shop was decorated by Paul and his team over two weeks and for me that was the hardest part of the process as I had always arranged displays at the shop , Antique Fairs and exhibitions .....was it going to have the Dunn look? I didn't need to worry as many of my friends indicated it was the best the gallery had looked and I agreed.In the end Paul was a star on the rostrum and produced amazing results from a six hour auction I would highly recommend Paul and Amanda to anyone considering selling a valuable collection
Francis Dunn Director John Dunn Antiques Melbourne
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"The sale of Rosemont and the disposal and distribution of all of the contents was more than just a "contents auction" for us. We had many stakeholders and timelines and complications - as I am sure many similar sales would. Paul and Amanda and their team handled the sale and it's complications with great composure, professionalism and understanding. We received very good prices and Paul and the team found buyers for all of the lots even the more specific pieces. I would entirely recommend Artvisory and will be using them again in the future"
Drew Burrell, Lady Burrell and Family. Rosemont Auction Sydney June 2022 -The Burrell Family Sydney and UK
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After the recent auction of my late husband’s collection, I have no hesitation in recommending Paul and Amanda’s Artvisory services. Every consideration was given to me during the preparation for the sale and the whole process of the sale was handled with professionalism and care. Also, post sale, payment was prompt.
Joceyln Mitchell Property from Mawallok auction March 2021. Written June 2021 This auction fetched 4 times its total pre-auction estimate.
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"Over many years, Paul, ably supported by Amanda, has given his expertise as an auctioneer and as a valuer to many charitable fund-raisers in an honorary capacity. Three in particular that I have had personal experience of are the Melbourne Recital Centre, the McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery and the Annual art auction for Prostate Cancer Research."
Lyn Williams AM. Written January 2021
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"After so many memorable times there, packing up and leaving Dysart House was a pretty emotional time for me. But stress was minimised by the care, consideration and sheer professionalism of Paul and Amanda and their team. Absolutely flawless"
Leo Schofield AM. Written December 2020
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“ Paul and Amanda handled the sale of my late mother's estate with a single-owner auction viewed in Toorak in Melbourne. I chose Paul and Amanda due to their integrity, long-standing reputation and expertise with single owner collections, and they managed the auction successfully and with great dignity. I am delighted to recommend them and their company Artvisory.”
Jonathan Cecil. The Estate of Suzanne Cecil. Toorak Melbourne. Written January 2021
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"We have dealt with Paul and Amanda over many years in augmenting our art collection both here and in Europe. Their professionalism, knowledge and experience enables them to provide a highly impressive bespoke and personal service. We welcome the expansion of their business and wish them every success"
Maria and Mike Smith. Melbourne. Written January 2021
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We are delighted that Paul Sumner and Amanda Swanson are again offering single-owner auctions. Gail and I had known Paul for a number of years and when he told us he was starting one owner auctions in 2007 we were very happy to be his first customer. Paul organised the sale of 120 of our paintings covering a broad spectrum of Australian painters accumulated over 25 years. His organisation was excellent,his advice regarding reserves,his cataloguing and his staff were all first rate. Paul's personal commitment was fantastic and illustrated to us why we were right to go with a small owner operated company. Nothing was too much trouble. Paul personally spent all Saturday and Sunday at the viewing, helping and advising customers-this despite it being plus 35 degrees with air conditioning that had broken down! The result was a very high clearance rate and excellent prices,many well above reserve. After auction service was also very good with money coming to us promptly and buyers being carefully followed up. We wish Paul and Amanda every success and would not hesitate to recommend them and use their services again.
Mike and Gail Hale, Sydney. Written. January 2021
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"Paul and Amanda have been part of our art lives in Australia for a very long time and we look forward to this relationship continuing well into the future. Their knowledge of the Australian Art Market is impressive. We wish them every success."
Andrea and Peter Hylands.Cowboy Creative Films Australia. Written February 2021
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"Paul Sumner joined us at Christies a short time after arriving in Australia from the UK. He was a valued member of the team for a number of years and I have never ceased to admire his encyclopaedic knowledge of works of art and antiques of all periods and all corners of the globe. He chose his parents most fortuitously, his father being an art dealer and his mother an antique dealer. He has never lost his curiosity and pleasure in discovering new and beautiful things – something we share. He remains a trusted colleague"
Patricia Tryon Macdonald. Past Director of Christies Australia Fine Art Auctioneers and inaugural Chairman of the Advisory Board; Past president of the NGVWA, Board Member of the Art Foundation and Life Member of the Gallery. Her curatorial work includes Exiles and Emigrants (NGV & NMA) and For Auld Lang Syne at the Art Gallery of Ballarat. Written January 2021
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“Amanda and Paul of Artvisory are two of the most professional, engaging experts in their fields. Having known Amanda for over a decade and been both a client and customer, I stand in awe of her breadth of knowledge, attention to detail, passion for provenance and purity and her unerring eye - not only for the best of pieces but also the simply beautiful. A delight always. “
Lisa Van Haandel.Melbourne. written January 2021