An important collection of antique furniture, old masters, Melitensia and major pieces of Maltese modern art is to be auctioned by Obelisk Auctions at Ta’ Xbiex between Thursday and Saturday.

Assessed by leading experts and consultants in fine arts, the collection, which comes from one central provenance and a number of private entries, is generating great interest because of the volume and quality of the work for sale.

Following the success of the modern art sale at Villa Licari in Balzan, another major collector has entrusted Obelisk with over 20 works of art by the most significant artists of the mid-20th century.

Works by Willie Apap include, among other paintings and drawings, an impressive self-portrait in oil on canvas and a painting of

ballerinas.

Vincent Apap is represented by two gesso bozzetti for his famous series of Prophets at the Nazzareno Church in Sliema, while a fascinating bozzetto by Giuseppe Briffa is a rare addition to the latter’s oeuvre.

The Broken Glass series, executed in the 1960s by Emvin Cremona, was a milestone in the story of modern art in Malta and a beautiful example is on sale.

From the hand of the great British abstract artist Victor Pasmore, who spent most of his adult life in Malta, are two prints in immaculate condition, and among the work of other modern artists are those of Carmelo Mangion, Joseph Bellia, Anton Agius, Samuel Bugeja, Giuseppe Archidiacono, Antoine Camilleri, Gabriel Caruana and Luciano Micallef.

The collection includes a beautiful painting of a ship entering Grand Harbour by A. Schranz and two rare washes of Grand Harbour by Giorgio Pullicino.

The old master section has a significant work representing St James by the bottega of Mattia Preti (datable to c1690) and other paintings that can be associated with Preti’s circle. Two painted garlands of flowers are a treat for art collectors, as is a 17th century Concertino and a mid-17th century painting of St John the Baptist.

Items of furniture and objets d’art abound; of particular interest are a chest of drawers intricately inlaid with lacework, a rare drum table and a Maltese clock that still has its

original mechanism.

Melitensia lovers can indulge in a rare collection of 16th, 17th and 18th century prints, while the original architectural drawings for Floriana parish church are a must for lovers of church architecture. There are over 600 lots, ranging from a wood-carved tabernacle to a fine Maltese silver coffee pot, for those looking for a good buy. This is an auction that should not be missed.

Prospective buyers and curious onlookers should note the viewing dates – 15-18 November – in their diaries.