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  • Archive for December, 2015

    INTERNET BROUGHT NEW BUYERS TO IRISH AUCTIONS IN 2015

    Thursday, December 31st, 2015

    THE internet brought new buyers to Irish auctions in 2015.  It was a memorable year for art, antiques and collectibles. Among the top lots sold were a pair of large Chinese powder blue vases  which sold for 560,000 at Sheppards two day sale at Capard House in Co. Laois in September.  This was an Irish auction record for porcelain. They were bought by a bidder in the room who had travelled to the auction from Beijing. Fonsie Mealy sold a Native American outfit 320,000 in February. A number of telephone and internet bidders from the US and Canada chased the piece. Pilltown GAA club paid 40,000 for John T. Power’s collection of medals at Fonsie Mealy and Morgan O’Driscoll, Christie’s and de Veres all sold works by Yeats for encouraging six figure sums.  Whyte’s achieved an encouraging result when Tony O’Malley’s Harvest Light sold for 34,000, a level not seen for this outstanding Irish artist since before the recession. Sotheby’s sold a copy for the Irish Proclamation for £305,000.

    In May Picasso’s Les Femmes d’Alger (Version O) became the most expensive artwork ever sold at auction when it made $179,365,000 at Christie’s in New York. That month too Giacometti’s l’homme au doigt made $141,205,000 to become the most expensive sculpture ever sold at auction.  In November Modigliani’s Nu Couche became the second most expensive work at auction when it made $170,405,000 at Christie’s. In Hong Kong Christie’s sold a fuchsia Birkin bag for US$222,912 in June.  This is the most expensive handbag ever to be auctioned.

    Here are some of the standout lots:

    Jack Butler Yeats, R.H.A. (1871-1957) The Boat Builder sold for £422,500 at Christie's

    Jack Butler Yeats, R.H.A. (1871-1957)
    The Boat Builder sold for £422,500 at Christie’s

    A native American outfit which sold for 320,000 at Fonsie Mealy in February.

    A native American outfit which sold for 320,000 at Fonsie Mealy in February.

    One of a pair of power blue vases which sold for 560,000 at Sheppards in September.

    One of a pair of power blue vases which sold for 560,000 at Sheppards in September.

    The John T. Power collection of All Ireland medals sold for 40,000.

    The John T. Power collection of All Ireland medals sold for 40,000 at Fonsie Mealy.

    The Irish Houses of Parliament Speaker's Clock sold for 115,000 at hammer at Fonsie Mealy's sale at Furness House in Co. Kildare.

    The Irish Houses of Parliament Speaker’s Clock sold for 115,000 at hammer at Fonsie Mealy’s sale at Furness House in Co. Kildare.

    This Irish Gillingtons style c1820 mahogany dining table sold for 70,000 at hammer at Adams sale at Courtown House in Co. Kildare.

    This Irish Gillingtons style c1820 mahogany dining table sold for 70,000 at hammer at Adams sale at Courtown House in Co. Kildare.

    A JANUARY SALE FOR BOOK COLLECTORS

    Wednesday, December 30th, 2015

    New Year sales are not necessarily confined to department stores.  Co. Mayo based rare book dealers Vanessa Parker and Roger Grimes are having a 20% off sale for the month of January at their shop at The Old Thatch, Mulranny, Westport and on their combined websites.  Here is a sample:

    A boxed set of the works of Alfred Lord Tennyson

    A boxed set of the works of Alfred Lord Tennyson

    Irish Fairy Tales by James Stephens 1920 with illustrations by Arthur Rackham.

    Irish Fairy Tales by James Stephens 1920 with illustrations by Arthur Rackham.

    The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen with illustrations by Harry Clarke. (2nd (1930) Edition.

    The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen with illustrations by Harry Clarke. (2nd (1930) Edition.

    A c1918-1920 lidded vase by Michael Polowney from the Loetz factory in Poland.

    A c1918-1920 lidded vase by Michael Polowney from the Loetz factory in Poland.

    STAR WARS AT PORTARLINGTON AUCTION

    Tuesday, December 29th, 2015

    From Star Wars to Darby O’Gill and the Little People with Jimmy O’Dea and Sean Connery the selection of cinema posters coming up at Ashgrove auctions on January 2 is extensive.  The New Year   fine art and collectibles sale in Portarlington, Co. Laois on January 2 at noon kicks off with about 50 lots of posters with estimates ranging from 20 to 80.  There are posters for The General, Ryan’s Daughter and Barry Lyndon as well as  Indiana Jones and A Nightmare on Elm Street. Film buffs might respond to a chance to pick up posters for rarities like Madison Avenue starring Dana Andrews and Eddie Albert or the 1943 film The More the Merrier starring Joel McCrea and Jean Arthur.  True Grit, Sleepless in Seattle and Breakdance are among the titles to be found as well as a canvas cloth poster for the 1952 version of The Importance of Being Earnest starring Michael Denison and Edith Evans which kicks off the sale.

    Star Wars

    Star Wars  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 55

    Pagan Love Song

    Pagan Love Song   UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 30

    The Mating Game.

    The Mating Game.  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 35

    Darby O'Gill and the Little People.

    Darby O’Gill and the Little People.  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 90

    MORE THAN 700 LOTS AT OLDCASTLE SALE THIS WEEK

    Monday, December 28th, 2015

    More than  700 lots are due to come under the hammer at Matthews Christmas antique auction in Oldcastle, Co. Meath on December 30.  Among them is an antique gilded console table and mirror (1,000-1,500),  a mahogany framed hump back settee on claw and ball supports (300-500), a pair of bow front Art Deco bedside lockers (300-500) and a pair of carved gilt wood pedestals with marble tops (400-700).  The catalogue is online.

    Antique marble console table with mirror (1,000-1,500).

    Antique marble console table with mirror (1,000-1,500).

    A pair of Art Deco lockers (300-500).

    A pair of Art Deco lockers (300-500).

    A hump back settee (300-500).

    A hump back settee (300-500).

    A pair of carved gilt wood pedestals (400-700).

    A pair of carved gilt wood pedestals (400-700).

    A POST-CHRISTMAS SALE AT CORK AUCTION ROOMS

    Sunday, December 27th, 2015

    The first of the post Christmas sales takes place at Cork Auction Rooms on December 29 at noon.  There is a choice of antique furniture including a Victorian breakfast table and a bamboo hall stand.  Estimates are modest.  The catalogue is online.  Here is a selection:

    A c1900 French over mantle mirror with electric lights (400-600).

    A c1900 French over mantle mirror with electric lights (400-600). UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    A 19th century Irish glass bowl (300-400).

    A 19th century Irish glass bowl (300-400).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 160

    Six Irish silver forks, hallmarked Dublin 1789 (250-300).

    Six Irish silver forks, hallmarked Dublin 1789 (250-300). UPDATE: THESE SOLD FOR 280

    Georgian low boy (160-200).

    Georgian low boy (160-200). UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    Victorian bamboo hallstand (60-80).

    Victorian bamboo hallstand (60-80).

    This 19th century snap top breakfast table is at Cork Auction Rooms (400-600).

    This 19th century snap top breakfast table is at Cork Auction Rooms (400-600). UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR READERS

    Thursday, December 24th, 2015

    fons nativityThis watercolour of the nativity by Richard King (1907-1974) sold for a hammer price of 2,100 at Fonsie Mealy’s auction in Dublin this month. It was one of a number of works and stained glass designs for St. Columba’s Church in South Perth, Australia by the artist, who worked at the Harry Clarke studio before setting up on his own in 1940. They all sold for various prices from 2,100 to 4,800.

    We wish all readers of antiquesandartireland.com a very happy Christmas and the best for 2016.

    WHERE THERE IS MUCK THERE IS TUDOR GOLD

    Thursday, December 24th, 2015
    The hoard includes five aglets and two beads.

    The hoard includes five aglets and two beads.

    Where there is much there is brass according to the old saying but in the case of one small section of Thames riverbank that brass is gold. There is not a whole lot of Tudor gold – less than an egg cup full – but it is exquisitely worked. It has been turned up by metal detectorists on the banks of the River Thames for a number of years. No less than eight metal detectorists have harvested the tiny fragments of gold. They are so similar in style that archaeologist Kate Sumnall believes that they came from one garment, possibly a hat blown off by the wind.  They were all found in one area.   The objects include aglets, used for the tips of laces, as well as beads and studs.  The finds are legally classed as treasure and must be declared to officers like Kate Sumnall, who works at the Museum of London.  They all date from the early 16th century.

    GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST IN ANTIQUE PHOTOGRAPHS

    Thursday, December 24th, 2015

    There is more than a hint of the ghost of Christmas past in lot one at Dolan’s upcoming art and antiques auction at Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork on January 17.  The catalogue is in the course of preparation, but lot one is a collection of 19th century photographs of locations around Cork city and county. As you can see, they are redolent of an era that is long gone. Here is a nostalgic sample:

    Patrick St., Cork.

    Patrick St., Cork.

    Kissing the Blarney Stone.

    Kissing the Blarney Stone.

    Queenstown - now Cobh - departure point for so many Irish emigrants to the New World.

    Queenstown – now Cobh – departure point for so many Irish emigrants to the New World.

    The bridge at Inchigeelagh.

    The bridge at Inchigeelagh.

    EXCEPTIONAL MATISSE INTERIOR AT SOTHEBY’S

    Wednesday, December 23rd, 2015

    An exceptional painting by Henri Matisse, which has emerged after 85 years in a private collection, is among the highlights at Sotheby’s Impressionist and Modern and Surreal Art evening sales in London on February 3.  Highlights from these sales will preview in Hong Kong from January 5-8.  Matisse’s La Lecon de piano combines two of the artist’s passions, music and art. Painted in 1923 this fine interior composition is from his early Nice period when he produced some of his boldest and most life affirming works.  It is estimated at £12-18 million.

    There is a rare example of one of Francis Picabia’s machinist compositions from his DADA period. Le Ventilateur was painted in 1917 and is estimated at £1.8-2.5 million.

    The year 2015 was a record one for Sotheby’s sales of Impressionist & Modern Art worldwide. Sales achieved a grand total of US$1.72 billion – the highest annual figure for the company in this category.

    Henri Matisse - La lecon de piano.

    Henri Matisse – La lecon de piano.  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR £10.8 MILLION

    Francis Picabia - Le Ventilateur

    Francis Picabia – Le Ventilateur  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR £2.3 MILLION

    ART DECO CLUB CHAIRS AND FENNECS TABLE LAMP

    Wednesday, December 23rd, 2015

    A pair of Art Deco club chairs made in 1939 by Jean-Michel Frank (1895-1941) sold for $185,000 at Christie’s Design Sale in New York. In oak with original leather upholstery they had been estimated at $150,000-200,000 and were the top lot in the sale.  The lot was sold with a certificate of authenticity from the Jean-Michel Frank committee.  The top lot at Chrsite’s New York sale of an important collection of Art Deco masterpieces was a Fennecs table lamp c1919-1920 by Armand Albert Rateau (1882-1938). The alabaster and patinated bronze piece sold for $401,000 over a top estimate of $350,000. Christie’s say the simple design, faultless in its proportions, well illustrates Rateau’s distinctive skill at conceiving elegant, modern artefacts that distill echoes of ancient cultures. Rateau has created a form in alabaster that serves as a subtle, warming filter for the internal light source – a most effective solution to the issue of mastering electric light.

    JEAN-MICHEL FRANK, A PAIR OF CLUB CHAIRS, 1939

    JEAN-MICHEL FRANK, A PAIR OF CLUB CHAIRS, 1939

    ARMAND ALBERT RATEAU (1882-1938) AN IMPORTANT 'FENNECS' TABLE LAMP, CIRCA 1919-1920

    ARMAND ALBERT RATEAU (1882-1938)
    AN IMPORTANT ‘FENNECS’ TABLE LAMP, CIRCA 1919-1920