25/12/2025
The John Wigg Collection
With a career spanning over half a century, my father has been a true dignitary in the Australian antique world — a dealer, collector, adventurer, and storyteller whose life’s work has helped shape the nation’s appreciation for heritage and craftsmanship.
From his early days in Wagga Wagga, where a brass bed frame bought for a few shillings sparked a lifelong obsession, John’s discerning eye and fearless curiosity have built a legacy unlike any other. Chance discoveries in scrap yards in the 1960’s quickly evolved into an extraordinary pursuit of the rare and the remarkable. John’s collecting philosophy has always been simple and unapologetic: “If you see it, and like it — buy it.” And over the years, that instinct has led him to some truly unforgettable finds — from European Victorian furniture and French decorative pieces to steam engines, antique cannons, and more than a dozen horse-drawn hearses.
By his forties, Dad and our late Mum, Barbara, were travelling the curating a world-class collection that reflects a lifetime of unwavering passion and commitment. From the UK to Indonesia, they sourced exceptional items: ornate kerosene lamps, fine porcelain, rare taxidermy, and museum-quality furniture that still captures the imagination of collectors today. By the 1970s, John became one of the first Australian dealers to import Victorian furniture directly from England, filling a 20-foot container with treasures that helped redefine the local market.
John now invites collectors and connoisseurs to share in his legacy. This exclusive auction presents a rare opportunity to acquire pieces from one of Australia’s most respected and visionary antique pioneers. Each item — whether grand, unusual, or exquisitely crafted — carries the unmistakable stamp of John’s passion, curiosity, and uncompromising pursuit of quality.
https://www.lawsons.com.au/auction-catalog/the-john-wigg-collection_81B7MX82XD
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Octavia Coleman John Wigg Antiques John Wigg
Please note that we endeavour to mention any imperfection, the absence of this information in the catalogue does not automatically imply that the lot is free from defect.
