antiquesandartireland.com

Information about Art, Antiques and Auctions in Ireland and around the world
  • ABOUT
  • About Des
  • Contact
  • Archive for March, 2014

    PRESIDENT OBAMA VISITS RIJKSMUSEUM

    Monday, March 24th, 2014
    Rembrandt - The Conspiracy of the Batavians Under Claudius Civilis.

    Rembrandt – The Conspiracy of the Batavians Under Claudius Civilis.

    President Obama visited the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam today, the first ever visit by a serving US President. He was given a tour in the Gallery of Honour by Wim Pijbes, the museum’s general director, where world famous masterpices by Frans Hals, Jan Steen, Johannes Vermeer and Rembrandt are shown.  The Gallery of Honour leads to the dedicated space created for Rembrandt’s greatest masterpiece: The Night Watch. Pijbes made a personal selection of works around the theme”virtues and values in the young Dutch Republic’.

    Currently on view in the museum is Rembrandt’s The Conspiracy of the Batavians under Claudius Civilis, which is on loan from the National Gallery in Stockholm.  It has been there for 150 years, leaving Sweden only twice in 1925 and 1969, both for showings at the Rijksmuseum.
    Following a ten year renovation the Rijksmuseum re-opened in April 2013.  Already more than three million visitors have gone through its doors.

    STRONG SALES, RECORD CROWDS AT TEFAF

    Monday, March 24th, 2014
    This rare foliate rim Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) dish was sold to a Chinese collector.

    This rare foliate rim Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) dish was sold to a Chinese collector.

    A soup tureen on stand bearing the makers mark of Jacques- Nicolas Roettiers, Paris 1770 was sold by Koopman Rare Art, London to a private buyer.

    A soup tureen on stand bearing the makers mark of Jacques- Nicolas Roettiers, Paris 1770 was sold by Koopman Rare Art, London to a private buyer.

    Strong sales and record crowds made for a vintage year at Maastricht in 2014. With collectors from more than 56 countries The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF) showed a truly global market.  There were 74,000 visitors and a record 375 private jets at Maastricht-Aachen airport. Many dealers recorded sales to museums and institutions across the globe and many more talked of sales to new clients.

    One of the highlights at the Fair, the rare foliate rim Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) dish shown by Littleton & Hennessy Asian Art, London and New York  with an asking price of 15 million euros was sold a Chinese art collector.   Another major piece, Moulin de la Galette by Vincent van Gogh (1835-1890) was brought to the Fair by Dickinson, London with negotiations for sale at an advanced stage.  Galerie Odermatt-Vedovi sold a hanging mobile by Alexander Calder (1898-1976) entitled Black 2-2-6, 1965, which had an asking price of 2.6 million euros to a private European collector.  A magnificent soup tureen on stand bearing the makers mark of Jacques- Nicolas Roettiers, Paris 1770 was sold by Koopman Rare Art, London to a private buyer.  The piece had been given by Catherine II, Empress of Russia (1729-1796) to Count Orloff in 1772;   it was reacquired by Catherine II in 1784 and remained in the imperial collection until 1917.

    INTEREST PERKS UP AT ANTIQUES AND INTERIORS FAIR AT THE RDS

    Saturday, March 22nd, 2014

    Despite a prevailing economic gloom in many parts of Ireland interest was definitely on the up at the antiques and interiors fair at the RDS.  Outside the capital people are prone to remark that while the recession may be over in Dublin it is still jobless and cashless around here. These impressions are gleaned from a much reported improvement in property prices in certain parts of the city, fuelled by a strong pent up demand and an acute shortage of supply.  At the antiques and interiors fair now in full swing at the RDS where well heeled buyers are in evidence in some number, one dealer concurred with the impression that, in Dublin at least, the recession over.  There is plenty to drool over and the fair runs until March 23.  Here is a minute selection showing some rather special antique furniture and a large Chinese screen:

    A rare George I Irish card table in original condition with scallop shell motif at Niall Mullen Antiques.

    A rare George I Irish card table in original condition with scallop shell motif at Niall Mullen Antiques.

    The c1740 Irish card table opened.

    The c1740 Irish card table interior.  It is priced at between 10,000-20,000.

    An early 19th century Irish American circular centre table at Niall Mullen Antiques.

    An early 19th century Irish American circular centre table at Niall Mullen Antiques.  It is priced at between 20,000-30,000.

    An exceptional late 19th century satinwood side cabinet with a design by Thomas Sheraton at Connaught Antiques.

    An exceptional late 19th century satinwood side cabinet with a design by Thomas Sheraton at Connaught Antiques.  It is priced at between 20,000-30,000.

    An early 19th century hand painted Chinese six panel screen priced 8,500 at John Carroll.

    An early 19th century hand painted Chinese six panel screen priced 8,500 at John Carroll Antiques.

    LE BROCQUY, MIDDLETON, DILLON, HENRY AT JAMES ADAM

    Friday, March 21st, 2014
    There are significant works by Louis le Broquy, Colin Middleton, Gerard Dillon and Paul Henry at the James Adam sale of  Important Irish Art in Dublin on Wednesday, March 26.  The catalogue is online.  Here is a small selection:

    Erskine Nicol RSA ARA (1825-1904) A Shebeen (1,000-2,000)

    Erskine Nicol RSA ARA (1825-1904) A Shebeen (1,000-2,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,800 AT HAMMER

    Rose Barton RWS (1856-1929) The Doorway Watercolour (6,000-8,000)

    Rose Barton RWS (1856-1929) The Doorway Watercolour (6,000-8,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 6,000 AT HAMMER

    Louis Le Brocquy HRHA (1916-2012) The Tain - A complete set of 36 lithographs (1969) Lithograph, 54 x 38cm (21 x 15'') Each signed, dated 1969 and numbered 6/70; together with the original catalogue from the Dawson Gallery (20,000-30,000)

    Louis Le Brocquy HRHA (1916-2012) The Tain – A complete set of 36 lithographs (1969) Lithograph, 54 x 38cm (21 x 15”) Each signed, dated 1969 and numbered 6/70; together with the original catalogue from the Dawson Gallery (20,000-30,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 29,000

    William Scott RA (1913-1989) Blue Gouache (15,000-20,000)

    William Scott RA (1913-1989) Blue Gouache (15,000-20,000) UPDATE: THIS MADE 31,000 AT HAMMER

    Frederick E. McWilliam HRUA RA (1909-1992) Box I Bronze (8,000-12,000)

    Frederick E. McWilliam HRUA RA (1909-1992) Box I Bronze (8,000-12,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 13,000 AT HAMMER

    Gerard Dillon (1916-1971) In the London Flat (20,000-30,000)

    Gerard Dillon (1916-1971) In the London Flat (20,000-30,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 33,000 AT HAMMER

    Evie Hone HRHA (1894-1955) The Holy Family (3,000-5,000)

    Evie Hone HRHA (1894-1955) The Holy Family (3,000-5,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 3,800 AT HAMMER

    Norah McGuinness HRHA (1901-1980) ''Lapwings at Balbriggan' (8,000-12,000)

    Norah McGuinness HRHA (1901-1980) ”Lapwings at Balbriggan’ (8,000-12,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 13,500 AT HAMMER

    TWO DAYS OF SALES AT MEALY’S, CASTLECOMER

    Thursday, March 20th, 2014

    The two day Irish Estates and Private Collections sale at Mealy’s in Castlecomer on March 25-26 offers more than 1,250 lots of silver, plate, book bindings, ceramics, Chinese and Japanese art, Georgian, Victorian and 20th century furniture and art.  The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection:

    UPDATE:  The auction realized around 400,000, with 75% of lots sold.  Many items sold above their high estimates and the atmosphere at this sale was the best seen since 2007.  More than 800 bidders registered by phone and by internet and the salesroom was crowded.

    Attributed to Stephen Catterson Smith (1806-1872) ,Portrait of Sir Henry Brooke of Colebrooke, Co. Fermanagh (5,000-10,000)

    Attributed to Stephen Catterson Smith (1806-1872) ,Portrait of Sir Henry Brooke of Colebrooke, Co. Fermanagh (5,000-10,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 9,500

    An 18th century South German walnut marquetry and crossbanded commode (1,500-2,000).

    An 18th century South German walnut marquetry and crossbanded commode (1,500-2,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,400

    A rare Newton's two inch pocket globe 1818 (700-1,100)

    A rare Newton’s two inch pocket globe 1818 (700-1,100)  UPDATE: THESE MADE 700

    Gladys Wynne (1876-1968)  Glenmalure, Co. Wicklow (400-600)

    Gladys Wynne (1876-1968) Glenmalure, Co. Wicklow (400-600)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 400

    Pierre Francis Connolly (1841-1902)  Carved bust of a gentleman (800-1,500).

    Pierre Francis Connolly (1841-1902) Carved bust of a gentleman (800-1,500).

    Eckersall James, clerk of kitchen to George II at St. James' accounting for rent money received from 1731 (400-600)

    Eckersall James, clerk of kitchen to George II at St. James’ accounting for rent money received from 1731 (400-600)

    An early 19th century percussion cap blunderbuss (700-1,000)

    An early 19th century percussion cap blunderbuss (700-1,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 900

    A Victorian Irish silver claret jug by West and Son, 1886 (1,500-2,500)

    A Victorian Irish silver claret jug by West and Son, 1886 (1,500-2,500) UPDATE: THIS MADE 2,500

    FABERGE FIND – THE IRISH CONNECTION

    Thursday, March 20th, 2014
    The Imperial Egg that  saved from being melted down for scrap.

    The Imperial Egg saved from being melted down for scrap.

    THE Irish connection in the in the finding of a fabulous long lost Faberge egg in the American mid-west comes through Mayfair jeweller Wartski. Kieran McCarthy, a Faberge specialist and director of Wartski, is from west Kerry and clinched the deal to sell the egg while on holidays in his homeland. A scrap metal dealer bought the egg at a flea market in the American mid-west to be melted down for gold.  He paid around $10,000 based on its weight and the estimated value of the diamonds and sapphires it contained. He intended to sell it to a buyer who would melt it down but prospective purchasers thought he had over-estimated the price and turned him down.  The egg stayed in his kitchen for years until one night in 2012 he googled “egg” and “Vacheron Constantin”, the name etched on the timepiece inside.  Up came an article from the Daily Telegraph featuring a picture of his egg and naming Mr. McCarthy as the expert.  Never having been to Europe before he flew to London with a picture of the egg.  Mr. McCarthy then flew to the US to verify the discovery.

    The egg was one of 50 created by Fabergé for the Russian Royal family. Measuring 8.2cm high, it was given by Tsar Alexander III to the Tsarina for Easter 1887. It was seized by the Bolsheviks and last recorded in Moscow in 1922 when the Soviets sold it as part of their “Treasures into Tractors” policy.  Valued at around £20 million Wartski bought the egg on behalf of a private collector.  This deal was clinched while Mr. McCarthy was on holiday in Kerry.  The new owner is lending the egg to Wartski for public display from April 14-17 at the firm’s headquarters in Grafton Street, Mayfair.

    CHRISTY BROWN ARCHIVE SELLS FOR £37,500

    Wednesday, March 19th, 2014
    A family photograph with Christy Brown.

    A family photograph with Christy Brown.

    The last remaining archive of material relating to the work of Christy Brown  (1931-1981), the Irish writer and painter whose life inspired the Oscar winning film, My left Foot, was sold at Bonhams in London today for £37,500.   It had been estimated at £30,000-40,000.

    It was bought by the National Library of Ireland and the National Archive.   The material purchased includes previously unseen sketches, paintings and unpublished poems as well as a large cache of correspondence and writings.  At its core are his private letters, in particular, his life- long correspondence with Katriona Maguire who started visiting Christy in his adolescence and nurtured his love of writing and painting. The 43 letters – five written with his left foot before he was advised to stop doing this in order to develop more control over this other limbs – run from 1945-1976, five years before his death. They include his most personal thoughts and observations amounting in the words of Brown’s biographer, Georgina Hambleton, ‘almost to a spiritual diary’.

    Christy Brown became an international celebrity with the publication of his best selling autobiography, My Left Foot, in 1954. His work gained new recognition when a film of the book was released in 1989.  Daniel Day Lewis won the first of his three Academy Awards for Best Actor for his portrayal of the writer.

    A DIAMOND FOR INVESTMENT AT O’REILLY’S, FRANCIS ST.

    Wednesday, March 19th, 2014
    Last sold 15 years ago for around 10,000 this 10.25 carat diamond solitaire is back at O'Reilly's in Dublin with an estimate of 18,000-22,000.

    Last sold 15 years ago for around 10,000 this 10.25 carat diamond solitaire is back at O’Reilly’s in Dublin with an estimate of 18,000-22,000.

    Dependent as it is on variables like colour,  size, clarity and cut  the investment value of a diamond is complex.  Coloured diamonds have proved to be a secure investment in latter years.  Diamonds above half a carat in size are traded by the industry individually and have a similar market price.  In Dublin O’Reilly’s of Francis St. will offer a solitaire diamond over over ten carats at their sale on March 26 estimated at 18,000-22,000.  What is of interest is that this particular stone was sold by the same auction house about 15 years ago for a price in the region of 8,000-10,000 so if sold it will represent a significant return on investment.  O’Reilly’s will offer around 400 lots.  The catalogue is online.  Here is a small selection:

    A Scottish thistle brooch (50-60).

    A Scottish thistle brooch (50-60).

    A 3.83 carat Colombian emerald ring (20,000-22,000).

    A 3.83 carat Colombian emerald ring (20,000-22,000).

    A nine carat gold pendant modelled as a snail on a gold chain (40-60).

    A nine carat gold pendant modelled as a snail on a gold chain (40-60).

    VERONESE AT NATIONAL GALLERY LONDON

    Wednesday, March 19th, 2014

    In London the National Gallery exhibition entitled Veronese – Magnificence in Renaissance Venice – opens today and runs until June 15. Here is a video about the show:

    ANTIQUES AND INTERIORS AT THE RDS THIS WEEKEND

    Tuesday, March 18th, 2014
    Pierre Laurel - "Tambourine Dancer" c1930 at Niall Mullen Antiques at the fair.

    Pierre Laurel – “Tambourine Dancer” c1930 at Niall Mullen Antiques at the fair.

    The Antiques and Interiors Fair at the Main Hall of the RDS in Dublin from March 21-23 will offer a variety ranging from antique furniture to contemporary art and interiors.

     

    This fair has evolved to cater for eclectic contemporary tastes.  Nowadays the trend is for collectors to mix and match and draw from a wide variety of sources.  The fair will fit into this aesthetic with a number of contemporary interiors galleries side by side with more traditional and established antiques dealers.

     

    As usual there will be a selection of contemporary Irish art on offer from a number of different galleries. It promises to provide an interesting mix and a hunting ground for collectors of all sorts.