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  • Archive for October, 2015

    ZORN PORTRAIT TO HIGHLIGHT EUROPEAN ART SALE IN NEW YORK

    Tuesday, October 13th, 2015
    Anders Zorn - A Portrait of the daughters of Ramón Subercaseaux

    Anders Zorn – A Portrait of the daughters of Ramón Subercaseaux  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    A Portrait of the daughters of Ramón Subercaseaux by the Swedish artist Anders Zorn will highlight Sotheby’s 19th century European art sale in New York on November 3.  Zorn was among the most famous living artists at the turn of the twentieth century. He traveled to the United States seven times over the course of his career and was commissioned by some of the most significant names of the Gilded Age, including business tycoons such as Andrew Carnegie, art patrons like Isabella Stuart Gardner, and even three U.S. Presidents. Recently, interest in his work among Americans has been revitalized through a major retrospective exhibition which toured the Legion of Honor in San Francisco and the National Academy in New York City.

    A Portrait of the daughters of Ramón Subercaseaux was commissioned by the influential and wealthy Chilean diplomat and artist, Ramón Subercaseaux, whose daughters, Blanca and Rosaria, are portrayed. The Subercaseaux children had previously been painted by Giovanni Boldini,The painting is expected to fetch $1,000,000-$1,500,000 at auction.

    OUTLOOK ENCOURAGING FOR IRISH ART

    Tuesday, October 13th, 2015

    In the belief that the outlook for Irish art is encouraging Sotheby‘s resumed sale of Irish art in London on October 21 features work by Sir John Lavery, Sir William Orpen, Jack Butler Yeats, Walter Osbore, Paul Henry, Louis le Brocquy and Roderic O’Conor.  In the 20th anniversary year since the inaugural stand alone sale of Irish art in London there is also a selection of work by contemporary Irish artists. There are 71 lots in total and the catalogue is online. Here is a small selection:

    SIR JOHN LAVERY, R.A., R.H.A., R.S.A. JAPANESE SWITZERLAND £300,000-500,000)

    SIR JOHN LAVERY, R.A., R.H.A., R.S.A.
    JAPANESE SWITZERLAND £300,000-500,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE £509,000

    BASIL BLACKSHAW, H.R.H.A FOINAVON (£18,000-25,000)

    BASIL BLACKSHAW, H.R.H.A
    FOINAVON (£18,000-25,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE £23,750

    Barrie Cooke - Elk Meets Sweeney (a portion) - £12,000-18,000)

    Barrie Cooke – Elk Meets Sweeney (a portion) – £12,000-18,000)

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for June 23, 2015).

    BARRIE COOKE ELK MEETS SWEENEY (SMALL VERSION) (A portion) - (£12,000-18,000).

    BARRIE COOKE
    ELK MEETS SWEENEY (SMALL VERSION) (A portion) – (£12,000-18,000).  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    JACK BUTLER YEATS, R.H.A. THE TALKERS )£150,000-250,000)

    JACK BUTLER YEATS, R.H.A. THE TALKERS )£150,000-250,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE £209,000

    WORLD FAMOUS HOLLYWOOD COSTUMES AT JULIENS AUCTIONS

    Monday, October 12th, 2015

    A sale of world famous Hollywood costumes and props will be conducted by Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills and online on November 20. Auction highlights include wardrobes from the television series “Mad Men,” Rudolph Valentino’s “Blood and Sand” Suit of Lights, Robert Redford’s baseball glove from “The Natural,” Charlton Heston’s head piece from “Ten Commandments” and Al Pacino’s prop grenade launcher from “Scarface.  One of the most outstanding lots is a 1924 Harold Lloyd Silver Ghost Rolls Royce driven by the chauffer in the 1955 Paramount film “Sabrina and The Comic” starring Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn  ($400,000-$600,000).  The auction draws from a family renowned for providing costumes to the motion picture and television industry. Founded in 1996 by Breanna Livie, The Golden Closet has dealt in the sale, consignment and purchase of motion picture, television and music memorabilia. Here is a small selection:

    Harold Lloyd 1924 Rolls Royce

    Harold Lloyd 1924 Rolls Royce

    Steve McQueen shirt

    Steve McQueen shirt

    "The Godfather" original script

    “The Godfather” original script

    ohn Wayne movie gun belt

    John Wayne movie gun belt

     

    DEV AND THE BLUESHIRTS AT WHYTE’S HISTORY SALE

    Monday, October 12th, 2015
    With everything from World War I recruitment posters designed for use in Ireland to the returning officers report of the East Clare by-election of 1917 signed by Eamon de Valera the sale of History, Literature and Collectibles by Whyte’s in Dublin on October 17 is brimful of interest. The posters encourage, shame, cajole and threaten Irishmen to join up citing acts of barbarity on the part of the Germans and the promise of a place among the nations for Ireland. Lots 155 to 163 have estimates of 150-300. Stuart Purcell of Whyte’s says that demand for objects relating to the Crown forces during the 1916 revolution is on the increase.  There is a previously unrecorded medal awarded to part time soldier FC Stephens of the St. Andrews Volunteer Training Corps.  It is inscribed: “For services rendered at Beggar’s Bush barracks” and estimated at 3,000-5,000.  A defence of Trinity College cup awarded to Cadet George Mathews offered with three curfew passes is estimated at 2,000-3,000.  A posthumous Easter Rising medal awarded to Patrick Farrell has the same estimate.

    The East Clare document marking the start of Eamon de Valera’s 42 year career as an elected representative is estimated at 8,000-12,000. The first flag of the Army Comrades Association or Blueshirts recorded at auction is estimated at 1,000-1,500.  A cotton military style blue shirt with epaulettes and breast pockets and a Fine Gael badge is estimated at 1,000-1,500. An Irish silver Henry Grattan statue commemorative trowel presented to William Martin Murphy is estimated at 800-1,200.

    1917 - Returning Officer's Report for East Clare Election signed by Eamon de Valera (8,000-12,000)

    1917 – Returning Officer’s Report for East Clare Election signed by Eamon de Valera (8,000-12,000)  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

     1949 (25 July). Letter signed by Congressman John Kennedy - later President of the USA 1960-1963. Typescript on Congress of the United States headed paper, signed in ink "John Kennedy". Addressed to Turner's, a liquor store in Cambridge Massachusetts, concerning their petition for a reduction in federal excise taxes on alcoholic beverages. (800-1,200)

    1949 (25 July). Letter signed by Congressman John Kennedy – later President of the USA 1960-1963.
    Typescript on Congress of the United States headed paper, signed in ink “John Kennedy”. Addressed to Turner’s, a liquor store in Cambridge Massachusetts, concerning their petition for a reduction in federal excise taxes on alcoholic beverages. (800-1,200)

    A First World War recruitment poster at Whyte's in Dublin next Saturday.

    A First World War recruitment poster at Whyte’s in Dublin next Saturday.  UPDATE: THIS MADE 280 AT HAMMER

    The flag of the Army Comrades Association or Blueshirts (1,000-1,500).

    The flag of the Army Comrades Association or Blueshirts (1,000-1,500).  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

     

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for October 7, 2015).

    IRISH FURNITURE A FEATURE AT SLANE CASTLE SALE

    Saturday, October 10th, 2015
    IRISH furniture features strongly at the James Adam sale at Slane Castle on October 13 at 11.30 am.  There is an architectural neo-classical mirror made by the Booker Brothers of Dublin 40,000-60,000) and Dublin cabinet makers Mack, Williams and Gibton; Strahan and Company and Anthony Morgan of Henry St. are all represented with library and dining tables, rent tables and cellarettes.
    A small collection of Killarney work includes an oversized davenport desk (7,000-10,000) and a large circular breakfast table (15,000-20,000). There is a Queen Anne long case clock by Francis Mansfield of Cork (6,000-10,000), a George II ebonised bracket clock by Henderson (2,000-4,000) and ancient oak furniture from the Duke of Abercorn and Belle Isle, Co. Fermanagh.
    The catalogue cover lot is a neo-classical portrait of a lady attributed to Matthew William Peters (10,000-15,000).  There is art by Nathanial Hone the Elder, Robert Hunter, James Arthur O’Connor, William Sadler, Jacob Roos, Stephen Catterson Smith and  Martin Cregan’s Portrait of Arthur Guinness II is estimated at 10,000-15,000.

    Collectibles include a finely engraved pale jade Chinese seal, a Grand Master’s chair from Orange Lodge number 579 (2,000-3,000) and an Italian carved marble group Putti Musicanti from the studio of Florence scuptor Ferdinando Vichi (15,000-25,000). More than 600 lots will come under the hammer.  The catalogue is online.  Here is a small selection:

    AN IRISH GEORGE II GILTWOOD PIER MIRROR, mid 18th century, by John and Francis Booker (40,000-50,000)

    AN IRISH GEORGE II GILTWOOD PIER MIRROR, mid 18th century, by John and Francis Booker (40,000-50,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE A HAMMER PRICE OF 60,000

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for October 5, 2015)

    The inlaid top of an Irish pillar table by William Moore (10,000-15,000)

    The inlaid top of an Irish pillar table by William Moore (10,000-15,000)  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    An Irish Victorian Killarney davenport (7,000-10,000)

    An Irish Victorian Killarney davenport (7,000-10,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 13,000 AT HAMMER

    The Standard Bearer by Daniel Maclise (1806-1870) (5,000-7,000)

    The Standard Bearer by Daniel Maclise (1806-1870) (5,000-7,000)  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    BLUE PERIOD PICASSO AND MONET’S LILIES AT SOTHEBY’S

    Friday, October 9th, 2015

    The finest Blue Period work by Pablo Picasso to come to auction in a generation and a seminal Waterlilies by Claude Monet come up at Sotheby’s evening sale of Impressionist and Modern  art in New York on November 5.   Picacco’s La Gommeuse of 1901 and Monets Nympheas (1908) are from the collection of American entrepreneur and America’s Cup winner William I. Koch.

    Simon Shaw, Co-Head of Sotheby’s Worldwide Impressionist & Modern Art Department, said: “Above all others, Picasso’s Blue Period is prized as his breakthrough – this is the moment Picasso becomes Picasso. With her dreamy gaze and frank sensuality, the cabaret dancer in La Gommeuse ushers in a new visual idiom for the 20th century. Exploring themes which would underpin Picasso’s work for the next seven decades, the painting stands squarely between the bohemian nightlife of Toulouse-Lautrec and the raw expressionism of Munch and Schiele. La Gommeuse and Nymphéas hung together in the salon of Bill Koch’s beautiful home. These are two icons of art history from one of the greatest American collections ever assembled – a testament to Mr. Koch’s unique connoisseurship, which we are honored to celebrate this fall at Sotheby’s.”

    Picasso’s Blue Period works are exceptionally rare, with most residing in prestigious institutional collections including: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the Guggenheim Museum, New York; the Musée Picasso, Paris; and the Art Institute of Chicago.

    The paintings will be on view at Sotheby’s in London during Frieze week from October 10-15.

    La Gommeuse - Pablo Picasso

    La Gommeuse – Pablo Picasso UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR $67.45 MILLION

     

    UPD

    Nymphéas - Claude Monet ($30-50 million)

    Nymphéas – Claude Monet ($30-50 million)  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR $33,850,000

    REASONABLE ESTIMATES AT LYNES AND LYNES

    Thursday, October 8th, 2015
    Mahogany shop display cabinet, c1900. (1,000-1,500)

    Mahogany shop display cabinet, c1900. (1,000-1,500)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,350

    Choice antique items are reasonably estimated at the Lynes and Lynes sale in Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork on October 10.  An antique mahogany shop display cabinet from Macroom – a once off lot if ever there was one – has an estimate of 1,000-1,500.  The value to be had in furniture right now is underlined by items such as a Victorian inlaid walnut work box with swivel top complete with chess board and backgammon board estimated at just 500-700, a Victorian gilt over mantle (400-600) and a Cork tray back sideboard (300-500).  The catalogue is online.

    Victorian inlaid walnut ladies work box0 c1880 (500-700)

    Victorian inlaid walnut ladies work box c1880 (500-700)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 380

    Victorian gilt overmantel mirror (400-600)

    Victorian gilt overmantel mirror (400-600)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 450

    Cork tray back sideboard (300-500).

    Cork tray back sideboard (300-500).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 370

     

     

     

     

     

     

    COWDRAY PEARLS SELL FOR US$5,266,667 AT SOTHEBY’S HONG KONG

    Wednesday, October 7th, 2015

    There was a world auction record for a natural grey pearl necklace when The Cowdray Pearls sold for US$5,266,667 at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong today.  The Jewel of Kashmir, a 27.68 carat Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring achieved a world auction record price per carat of US$242,145 when it made US$6,702,654.

    The previous world auction record for a natural grey pearl necklace was held by The Cowdray Pearls which sold for  for US$3,353,661 in London in June 2012. The previous record per carat for a Kashmir sapphire was US$240,381 established in Hong Kong last May when a circular cut ring of 10.33 carats sold for US2,483,136.

    Sotheby’s five day series of sales in Hong Kong brought in US$342.2 million.  A total of 2,974 lots were sold. The top lot of the series was an Imperial painting of Chinhui, the Qianlong Emperor’s favourite consort, by Giuseppe Castiglione which sold for US$17.6 million,.

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for September 10, 2015).

    The Cowdray Pearls sold for US$5,266,667

    The Cowdray Pearls sold for US$5,266,667

    This emerald cut sapphire and diamond ring sold for US$6.7 million

    This emerald cut sapphire and diamond ring sold for US$6.7 million

    An Imperial Painting of Chunhui, the Qianlong Emperor’s favourite Consort, by Court Artist Giuseppe Castiglione sold for US$17.6 million.

    Sotheby’s Nicholas Chow showing an Imperial painting of Chunhui, the Qianlong Emperor’s favourite Consort, by Court Artist Giuseppe Castiglione which sold for US$17.6 million.

    A 115,000 CLOCK AT FONSIE MEALY’S FURNESS AUCTION

    Wednesday, October 7th, 2015
    The Francis Johnston Speaker Clock - The Irish Houses of Parliament Speaker's Clock (70,000-90,000).

    The Francis Johnston Speaker Clock – The Irish Houses of Parliament Speaker’s Clock sold for 115,000 at hammer.

    The Irish Houses of Parliament Speakers clock sold for a hammer price of 115,000 over a top estimate of 90,000 at Fonsie Mealy’s sale of Furness – home to Patrick Guinness – in Co. Kildare.  It was purchased by an undisclosed private buyer but the auctioneers did say that it is likely to go on public display at some stage.  Negotiations are underway today for some of the unsold lots, including Daniel Maclise’s Spirit of Justice estimated at 50,000-70,000. (Update – this changed hands after the sale for 50,000 and it will stay in Ireland).

    It was a hugely successful auction where buyers vied for a wide variety of historic lots. A magnificent carved over mantle mirror purchased at the Carton House sale in 1943 made a within estimate hammer price of 40,000.  A c1620 Paris tapestry sold for 28,000 at hammer and a rare early 19th century full size road coach made an above estimate 32,000.  This is the vehicle thought to have conveyed George IV to a tryst with Lady Conyngham at Slane Castle. A rare pair of large coopered metal bound stout barrels inscribed Guinness sold for 2,300.

    Kildare is horse country and horses rocked at this sale.  An Edwardian carved and painted rocking horse made 6,600 and a Victorian rocking horse made 3,000.  The earliest printed plan of Dublin by Charles Brooking in 1728 made 14,000 and an 1818 leather bound inventory of Carton House and offices with 153 rooms made a hammer price of 10,000.  A c1760 Irish mahogany architect’s table from Castletown House sold for 6,500.

    The sale realised 860,000 at hammer.

    (See posts on antiquesandartireland.com for October 4 and October 2, 2015).

    THE FENIANS MEET BLACKADER AT WHYTE’S

    Wednesday, October 7th, 2015

    The Fenians meet General Blackader at Whyte’s sale of History, Literature and Collectibles in Dublin on October 17. Lot 104 in the auction is a surviving door fragment from an explosion at the division corridor in the House of Commons, London.  On January 24, 1885 in an event dubbed “Dynamite Sunday” the Fenians detonated near simultaneous explosions at the Tower of London, Westminster Crypt and the Chamber of the House of Commons.  The door fragment is estimated at 150-200.

    Lot 189 is described by Whyte’s as the only known trophy created to celebrate a British victory in 1916 and it is inscribed to General Blackader.  Charles Blackader commanded a territorial brigade in Dublin during the Easter Rising.  He presided over the court at Richmond Barracks where most of the leaders of the Rising were sentenced to death.   The trophy is a 12lb artillery shell case in a timber and brass frame is stamped “HMY Helga – The call to arms – Liberty Strikes”.  “HMY Helga” refers to the armed auxiliary patrol yacht of that name, armed with a twelve-pounder coastal defence gun. During the Rising the Helga shelled Boland’s Mills, Liberty Hall, the GPO and surrounding areas.  The gong was purchased by the current owner in Islington Market in 1987. Although now living in Ireland, at the time of purchase she was a Japanese student with Irish connections who liked it because it reminded her of a Shinto temple bell.  It is estimated at 800-1,200.

    The surviving fragment of a door from the Division Corridor at the House of Commons.

    The surviving fragment of a door from the Division Corridor at the House of Commons.  UPDATE: THIS MADE 620

    The gong fashioned from an artillery case and stamped General Blackader.

    The gong fashioned from an artillery case and stamped General Blackader.  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 2,600 AT HAMMER