antiquesandartireland.com

Information about Art, Antiques and Auctions in Ireland and around the world
  • ABOUT
  • About Des
  • Contact
  • DIANA’S DRESSES TO BE DISPLAYED IN IRELAND BEFORE AUCTION AT JULIEN’S

    May 17th, 2024

    Murray Arbeid Diamante Star Gown

    Princess Diana’s elegance and a Royal Collection – the largest curated collection of Princess Diana’s items since her historic 1997 auction – will come up at Julien’s Auctions in Los Angeles on June 27. Before that sale highlights will be on view at the Museum of Style Icons and Newbridge, Co. Kildare from June 11 – 27. Fifteen spectacular lots from this dazzling collection will be showcased at an exclusive private exhibition at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel in New York–the collection’s only North American preview–before the auction. A breathtaking constellation of Princess Diana’s highly glamorous gowns, dresses, suits, shoes, and accessories used in her most photographed appearances and most iconic style moments will be featured at her favourite hotel in New York. Diana was often photographed here and became part of the hotel’s storied history in the now legendary Carlyle elevator ride shared by Princess Diana, Michael Jackson and Steve Jobs when she sang “Beat It.”

    On offer are Diana’s most iconic fashion statements such as a Murray Arbeid midnight blue strapless tulle Diamante Star gown with a fitted bodice worn twice in 1986, at the Phantom of the Opera premiere, at a dinner at Claridge’s for King Constantine of Greece and photographed by Lord Snowdon wearing the gown in 1997 for her charity auction ($200,000-$400,000); Diana’s off-the-shoulder Spanish flamenco-style magenta silk and lace evening dress designed by Victor Edelstein worn in London and in Hamburg in 1987 ($200,000-$400,000); ensembles designed by Diana’s favourite designer Catherine Walker including a pink floral shirt dress designed by Walker for her clothing label The Chelsea Design Company ($100,000-$200,000), a Victorian revival evening gown not worn in public ($100,000-$200,000), and Walker’s two-piece yellow and navy skirt suit Diana was photographed wearing in 1989 in Hong Kong during a visit to Tamar, a British Forces shore base and when Diana gave a speech and awarded the Gopaul family the award for Family of the Year in London in 1990 ($30,000-$50,000).

    Catherine Walker Hong Kong outfit.

    INTERIOR BY DEREK HILL AT MORGAN O’DRISCOLL’S SALE

    May 17th, 2024

    DEREK HILL (1916-2000) – INTERIOR

    Interior, an oil on board by Derek Hill, comes up as lot 205 at Morgan O’Driscoll’s current Irish art online auctions which runs until May 20. Measuring 15.5 by 12.6 inches it is estimated at 500-750 in a sale which offers an extensive choice of art and artists. The catalogue is online

    AN EXPENSIVE BUNCH OF FLOWERS BY ANDY WARHOL AT CHRISTIE’S

    May 17th, 2024

    ANDY WARHOL (1928-1987) – FLOWERS WHICH SOLD FOR $35.5 MILLION

    Flowers, a 1964 work by Andy Warhol, was the top lot at Christie’s evening sale in New York on May 16. It made $35.5 million in a sale with global participation which totalled $413.3 million. Other top lots included Vincent Van Gogh’s Coin de jardin avec papillons, which realised $33.2 million, David Hockney’s A Lawn Being Sprinkled, which made $28.6 million and Alberto Giacometti’s sculpture, Femme Leoni, which brought $22.3 million. Of the 58 works sold, 15 achieved prices above $10 million, with Georgia O’Keeffe and Joan Mitchell counted among the top ten. 

    MAGNIFICENT JEWELS SPARKLE AT CHRISTIE’S IN GENEVA

    May 15th, 2024

    This 202 carat Yellow Rose diamond sold for CHF6,095,000 /US$6,710,595, the second highest price ever paid for a yellow stone above 200cts at Christie’s.

    The Magnificent Jewels auction at Christie’s in Geneva today totalled CHF49,242,200 / US$54,215,662, with deep bidding from a full saleroom, on the phones and online. Led by the Yellow Rose diamond of 202 carats the auction was 97% sold by lot and 98% sold by value.  Max Fawcett, Head of Jewels Europe commented: “There is nothing better as an auctioneer than a full and engaged sale room, and to achieve such strong results – 97% by lot and 140% of the low estimate – is remarkable. The market for coloured gemstones and signed jewellery is on fire and I could not think of a better way to start the 2024 season. We now look forward to Hong Kong, New York, Paris and London.” 

    A LITTLE BIT OF THE BURREN ON VIEW IN MILAN

    May 15th, 2024

    Richard Hearns, The Living Mountain. Installation shot, Cadogan Gallery, 2024. Photo: Pietra Studio. Courtesy: Cadogan Gallery.

    There is a little bit of the Burren on view in Milan right now thanks to Irish Lebanese artist Richard Hearns and the Cadogan Gallery. The Living Mountain is an unprecedented series of works inspired by the wild landscapes of the Burren where he has been living for some time. Hearns is inspired by the concept of genius loci, associating it with Lebanon and Ireland, the places that most influenced his biography. My dual heritage has greatly influenced and inspired my paintings – says the artist. The Irish have always had an outward looking perspective and a unique identity in the world. Likewise, throughout history, the Lebanese people have covered great expanses in order to explore, learn, trade and grow.

    The exhibition title The Living Mountain is borrowed from the name of one of the artist’s latest paintings: the landscape pictured above fragmented into five large canvases. It is an homage to Turlough Mountain. The exhibition continues until July 27.

    Richard Hearns – Verdigris 2024

    RECLINING BODYSCAPE BY ROWAN GILLESPIE AT DE VERES

    May 15th, 2024

    Rowan Gillespie – Reclining Bodyscape 9/9

    This signed and dated 2023 patinated and polished bronze Reclining Bodyscape by Rowan Gillespie comes up as lot 85 at de Veres Outstanding Irish Art and Sculpture timed sale in Dublin. It is is the final and largest piece from the edition of 9 maquettes for Reclining Bodyscape, first conceived in 1994. Two life-size casts are in private collections. The estimate is €8,000-€12,000. The timed online auction runs until May 28 and there will be viewing at Kildare St. from May 24-28.

    A CLIPPER SHIP IN FULL SAIL AT FONSIE MEALY AUCTION

    May 14th, 2024

    Montague Dawson (1895-1973) – The Clipper Ship Flying Fish c. 1950

    Montague Dawson’s oil on canvas of the Flying Fish is the most expensively estimated lot at Fonsie Mealy’s two day fine art sale in Castlecomer on May 28 and 29. With an estimate of €15,000-€20,000 it shows the clipper ship in full sail. A catalogue note by Peter Murray recounts how after the discovery of gold in California and the opening of the China tea trade to competition in 1849, several clippers, including Flying Fish and Flying Cloud, were built at Donald McKay’s shipyard in Boston. Launched in 1851, Flying Fish made the voyage from Boston to San Francisco, via Cape Horn, in a record-breaking ninety-two days. Owned by Samson and Tappan, the ship had a glorious career. It was one of the fastest every built by McKay, and under the command of Captain Edward Nickels, rounded Cape Horn seven times. It features in several paintings by Dawson, including studies in oil and watercolour. It is, Murray says, one of Montague Dawson’s finest depictions of ships at sea.

    MARES AND FOALS BY STUBBS AT CHRISTIE’S

    May 13th, 2024

    George Stubbs – Mares and Foals in an extensive landscape

    One of the largest pictures that George Stubbs painted – Mares and Foals in an extensive landscape – will be a highlight at Christie’s Old Masters sale in London on July 2. Stubbs was the most revered animal painter in the history of European Art and this work is one of the last two on this scale of any subject to remain in private hands. Dated to circa 1769, this monumental canvas is the artist’s grandest statement on the theme of Mares and Foals, the series of paintings executed in the 1760’s. The picture is believed to have been painted for the Prime Minister of Britain from 1768-1770, Augustus Fitzroy, 3rd Duke of Grafton (1735-1811), who was part of the closely-connected nexus of ‘Whig’ statesmen that provided Stubbs with his most important patronage during this career-defining period. Estimated at £7. – £10 million this painting last appeared on the market in 1976, since when it has been part of an important private collection in Illinois, U.S.A.

    CONTRASTING CHOICES AT UPCOMING SALES

    May 12th, 2024

    The complete bar from Kiely’s of Mount Merrion at Aidan Foley’s sale.

    The complete bar from Kiely’s of Mount Merrion or a De Sede white modular sofa  first launched in 1972 – the choice is yours at upcoming auctions by Aidan Foley and James Adam this month.

    The sofa would have been very much out of place in a traditional setting like Kiely’s but would make itself very much at home in any large luxurious contemporary space. Designed by Eleanoa Peduzzi-Riva, Ueli Berger, Klaus Vogt and Heinz Ulrich it is complete with 22 sections with which multiple compositions can be created.  At their Mid Century Modern sale in Dublin on May 21 Adams estimate it at €10,000-€15,000.

    The bar at Kiely’s is a real deal throwback, laden with memory.  It is a highlight at Aidan Foley’s online auction in conjunction with Niall Mullen at  Oldcastle on May 21 and 22. All sorts of pub memorabilia will come under the hammer and the catalogue is online. The estimate on the complete bar is a mere €1,000-€2,000.

    DS-600 modular sofa in white leather at James Adam.

    YELLOW DIAMONDS – SAPPHIRES, RUBIES AND EMERALDS TOO

    May 11th, 2024

    The Allnatt, a fancy vivid yellow diamond of 101.29 carats at Sotheby’s, Geneva. UPDATE: THIS WAS NOT SOLD

    Kashmir sapphires, Burmese rubies, Colombian emeralds and lots and lots of diamonds – what’s not to like?  Traditionally this is the month for sales which bring a global audience of very rich buyers to Geneva for eye watering jewels with all sorts of exotic provenance and stories histories.

    The collections of modern and historic jewellery at sales like these are fascinating. Some lots make millions.  But passion for fine jewellery is not the exclusive preserve of the super rich. There will be plenty of pickings for the rest of us at sales on May 14 at both James Adam in Dublin and Matthews in Kells and O’Reilly’s in Dublin on May 15 with no shortage of choices across all price levels.

    An exceptional pigeon’s blood ruby and diamond ring  at Christie’s.  The 5.03 carat ruby originated in Burma (Myanmar). UPDATE: THIS MADE 1 MILLION CHF AT HAMMER (€1.02 MILLION)

    On the international scene yellow diamonds are the flavour of the month this month. Christie’s will offer The Yellow Rose in Geneva on May 15, an unmounted rare fancy intense yellow pear modified and brilliant cut diamond of 202.18 carats. Like most intense yellow diamonds it is from South Africa where deposits are rich in nitrogen.

    Sotheby’s claim to have one of the world’s most significant fancy vivid yellow diamonds as a highlight of their magnificent jewels sale in Geneva on May 14.  The Allnatt – named for its first recorded owner Major Alfred Allnatt, renowned British racehorse owner, philanthropist and patron of the arts – weighs in at 101.29 carats and is celebrated for its richly saturated gold colour, older cutting style and elegant 1950’s mounting by Cartier.  It too originates in South Africa and the estimate is 5.6 million – 6.5 million Swiss francs (€5.74 million – €6.67 million).

    Both sales are distinguished by one of a kind pieces and historic and modern jewellery from houses like Harry Winston, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany, JAR and many others. 

    Turquoise, lapis lazuli and diamond bracelet at Adams. UPDATE: THIS MADE 19,000 AT HAMMER

    Meantime in Ireland viewing is underway both in Dublin and in Kells for the jewellery sales on May 14 at Adams and Matthews and the regular monthly jewellery and silver sale at O’Reilly’s of Francis St. in Dublin takes place on Wednesday.  Top lots at Adams include a c1960 Serpenti bracelet watch and a ruby and diamond ring both by Bulgari.  Each is estimated at €40,000-€60,000. A rare turquoise, lapis lazuli and diamond bracelet by Fred, Paris c1960 is estimated at €20,000-€30,000.  

    A Trinity bangle by Cartier is estimated at €6,000-€8,000 while a Trinity ring by the same maker (€700-€900) is one of a selection of lots available at under €1,000 in a catalogue with 268 lots in total.

    A vintage diamond and enamel ring by David Morris hallmarked London 1975 is the top lot at O’Reilly’s with an estimate of €58,000-€65,000. It comes with a gold rope link and black enamel surround. A total of 234 lots will come under the hammer.

    A selection of lots from Matthews 

    In Kells the auction at Matthews will offer silver and gold from various executor instructions, pawnbrokers unredeemed pledges and lots from private clients.  The top lot is a Toi et Moi diamond ring (€12,000-€18,000).  There is much to choose from in a wide selection of rings, brooches, bracelets, earrings, pendants and wristwatches.  Happy hunting….