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  • Archive for December, 2015

    IMMA BRINGS CONTEMPORARY ART TO DUBLIN’S STREETS

    Tuesday, December 22nd, 2015

    An exhibition by Cuban born American artist Felix Gonzalez-Torres (1957-1996) at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) has taken to the streets of Dublin.  The artist wanted “Untitled” (The New Plan), 1991 installed in a variety of locations in diverse neighbourhoods. So from now until December 30 it is on view  on six billboards across six sites within Dublin city centre normally used for prime advertising space. The art is on billboards at Usher’s Island, Dublin 8; Townsend St., Dublin 2; Pearse St., Dublin 2; East Wall Road (Dublin 3); Talbot St., Dublin 1 and Parnell St., Dublin 1.

    Felix Gonzalez-Torres’ artworks are known for their quiet, simple forms and minimal aesthetic. The artwork “Untitled” (The New Plan), 1991, is made by reproducing a specific colour image of denim fabric, a photograph by Gonzalez-Torres, exclusively as billboards. The work is intentionally open to interpretation and driven by viewer interaction.  It is part of the exhibition What We Call Love: From Surrealism to Now at IMMA until February 7, 2016. The show features modern and contemporary masterworks from the world’s leading collections by Brancusi, Dalí, Duchamp Ernst, Giacometti, Oppenheim, Picasso, Warhol, Yoko Ono, and more.

    Felix Gonzalez-Torres, “Untitled” (The New Plan), 1991, Billboard, Dimensions vary with installation’

    Felix Gonzalez-Torres, “Untitled” (The New Plan), 1991, Billboard, Dimensions vary with installation’

    Felix Gonzalez-Torres, “Untitled” (The New Plan), 1991, Billboard, Dimensions vary with installation’

    Felix Gonzalez-Torres, “Untitled” (The New Plan), 1991, Billboard, Dimensions vary with installation’

    STARS OF INTERIOR DESIGN FOR NEW YORK WINTER ANTIQUES SHOW

    Monday, December 21st, 2015

    Some of the brightest stars of the world of interior design have been drafted in to this years Winter Antiques Show in New York.  Celebrating its 62nd year as America’s most prestigious art, antiques and design fair in 2016 it will run from January 22-31.  This year the organisers have enlisted interior design luminaries as honorary design chairs. Nate Berkus, Ellie Cullman, Alexa Hampton, and Markham Roberts were chosen because of their prominence in the industry and expertise in decorating with antiques.  The fully vetted fair will feature over 70 renowned experts in fine and decorative arts from around the world. The show is at the Park Avenue Armory, 67th Street and Park Avenue, New York City.  Here is a sneak peek at some of the pieces which will be on view.

    Hyde Park Antiques will display this pair of Irish c1830 leather and elm armchairs

    Hyde Park Antiques will display this pair of Irish c1830 leather and elm armchairs

    A Pair of Irish William IV Elm Open Armchairs (detail of armrest) at Hyde Park Antiques

    A Pair of Irish William IV Elm Open Armchairs (detail of armrest) at Hyde Park Antiques

    Ronald Phillips will bring a pair of English mirrors c1735. They were originally intended for the hunting lodge of the Earl of Harrington in Richmond. Each mirror tells the story from Ovid's Metamorphosis

    Ronald Phillips will bring a pair of English mirrors c1735. They were originally intended for the hunting lodge of the Earl of Harrington in Richmond. Each mirror tells the story from Ovid’s Metamorphosis

    GLASS PAST will exhibit this Venini Pezzato Vase, Fulvio Bianconi c1950

    GLASS PAST will exhibit this Venini Pezzato Vase, Fulvio Bianconi c1950

    Cohen and Cohen will bring this Chinese Famille Rose tureen cover and stand.

    Cohen and Cohen will bring this Chinese Famille Rose tureen cover and stand.

     

     

     

    SEAN MCSWEENEY (80) AT TAYLOR GALLERIES WINTER SHOW

    Friday, December 18th, 2015
    Sean McSweeney

    Sean McSweeney

    Sean McSweeney, the featured artist at the Taylor Galleries annual Winter Group Show in Dublin, celebrates his 80th birthday this month.  The exhibition showcases work by McSweeney and invited artists.  Born in Dublin in 1935 and self-taught as a painter his work has long been rooted in the tradition of Irish landscape painting that stretches back to the 1800’s and beyond. Consistently drawn to the characteristic “horizontality” of the bogland, sea fields and flat expanses of shoreline that surround his home on the Sligo coast, he returns repeatedly to the same subjects, painting them in various lights and through changing seasons.  His work featured in the first Irish Exhibition of Living Art in 1962. Cecil King saw his work and recommended him to Leo Smith at the Dawson Gallery. He had his first solo show with the Dawson Gallery in 1965 and has been represented by Taylor Galleries since its establishment in 1978. Sean McSweeney has exhibited extensively in Ireland and abroad and is an honorary member of the Royal Hibernian Academy and a member of Aosdána. His work is represented in major public and corporate collections nationwide as well as private collections in Ireland, the UK, Europe and North America.   The exhibition at Taylor runs until January 30, 2016.

    IRISH PROCLAMATION MAKES £305,000 AT SOTHEBY’S

    Wednesday, December 16th, 2015

    proclamationA copy of the Proclamation of Independence of the Irish Republic sold for £305,000 at Sotheby’s sale of English Literature, History, Children’s Books and Illustrations in London. It had been estimated at £80,000-120,000.  It is one of a small number of surviving copies printed at Liberty Hall, Dublin on Easter Sunday, 1916.  This marked the beginning of the Easter Rising and inaugurated modern Ireland.  About 1,000 were printed and most of these were destroyed in the storming of Liberty Hall.  It is thought that less than 50 survive.

    The text of this document was read from the steps of the General Post Office, Sackville (now O’Connell) Street, Dublin, on Easter Monday, April 24, 1916, by Pádraig Pearse, who, with Thomas J. Clarke, Seán Mac Diarmada, Thomas MacDonagh, Eamonn Ceannt, James Connolly and Joseph Plunkett were the signatories of the Proclamation.

     

    REAGAN AND THATCHER SCORE AT CHRISTIE’S

    Wednesday, December 16th, 2015
    A 20th century Kaiser bisque figure of an American bald eagle, modelled by Gerd Pitterkoff

    A 20th century Kaiser bisque figure of an American bald eagle, modelled by Gerd Pitterkoff

    An American bald eagle model given to Margaret Thatcher by Ronald Reagan was the top lot at the first of two Christie’s sales of the property of Mrs. Thatcher.  Estimated at £5,000-8,000 it sold for £266,500 to an online buyer.   There were registered bidders from 41 countries across 5 continents. Comprising 185 lots, the auction at Christie’s headquarters in London sparked international interest with extremely competitive bidding in the saleroom, on the telephones and online. The sale brought in £3,280,475, selling 100% by lot and 100% by value.

    The 20th century Kaiser bisque figure of the eagle, modelled by Gerd Pitterkoff, has an inscription which reads:  ‘Presented to the Hon. Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister of Great Britain for staunch and spirited support of the market economy principle. The Award was presented by the Hon. Walter H. Annenberg with the best wishes from Ronald Reagan President of the United States June 13th 1984, presented at the Foreign Office 10 Downing Street.’

    Mrs. Thatcher’s red ministerial despatch box, in which she carried confidential documents, sold for £242,500 over an estimate of £3,000-5,000.

    The online only sale runs until 3 pm today. UPDATE:  The two sales totalled £4,516,438.

    A 1618 ASTRONOMICAL WATCH MAKES £989,000

    Tuesday, December 15th, 2015
    The Royal oval astronomical watch with an engraved portrait of King James I made by David Ramsay circa 1618.

    The Royal oval astronomical watch with an engraved portrait of King James I made by David Ramsay circa 1618.

    An oval astronomical watch with an engraved portrait of King James I made by David Ramsay c1618 sold for £989,000 in London today. The top estimate for the piece was £250,000. Exceptional timepieces from the most important private collection of English pocket watches made for a combined total of £3,021,063 at Sotheby’s. Considered one of the finest makers from the early 17th century, Ramsay was the first master of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers at its formation in 1632, as well as the Chief Clockmaker to the King.

    A c1712-14 gold two-train quarter striking and quarter repeating pair cased clock watch with regulator aperture by Daniel Quare made £185,000: a gold half quarter dumb repeating consular cased pocket chronometer created by John Arnold in 1782 made £245,000 and a c1770 octagonal candle lamp with inset watch by James Cox made £155,000. This was the first of the four auctions of a collection which is being offered under the title of ‘The Celebration of the English Watch’ over the course of 2015-2016. Charting the history of British watchmaking from the early 1600s through to the present day are 317 museum-quality pieces which illustrate the often neglected status of British watchmakers as pioneers in their field.  It includesall the greatest innovator, from Thomas Thompion to Robert Hook (inventor of balance spring, c1660), to George Graham (who introduced the sweep seconds hand in the early 1700’s), to Thomas Mudge (lever escapement, 1765) and John Harwood (self-winding wristwatch movement).  The second sale, to take place on July 7, 2016, will explore the  legacy of John Harrison, the man who found Longitude.

    UCC ACQUIRES GEORGE BOOLE Ist EDITION

    Tuesday, December 15th, 2015
    University College Cork purchased an inscribed first edition of George Boole’s theory which led to the creation of the internet at the Fonsie Mealy rare book auction in Dublin today.  They paid 11,000 at hammer for the work, which had been estimated at 5,000-7,000.  This year UCC is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of George Boole, their first Professor of Mathematics and inventor of Boolean logic.

    The first 1854 edition of An Investigation into the Laws of Thought published by Walton and Maberly is inscribed to:  “Mrs. Hill, with the Author’s respects”.

    The first edition of Boole's masterpiece.

    The first edition of Boole’s masterpiece.

    boole one

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for November 9, 2015).

    INTERESTING SELECTION AT MEALY’S CASTLECOMER CHRISTMAS SALE

    Sunday, December 13th, 2015

    The hugely interesting selection at the Christmas sale at Mealy’s in Castlecomer on December 14  includes an Irish Labour Party and Trades Union Congress investigation with evidence from over 70 witnesses on Who Burnt Cork City published in 1921.  There is antique furniture and silver, a circular Lalique bowl, a Louis Vuitton lady’s travelling vanity case and a wine and port section with which to celebrate the season in considerable style.  The catalogue is online.

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for December 6, 2015).

    An investigation into Who Burnt Cork City? (80-150).

    An investigation into Who Burnt Cork City? (80-150).UPDATE: THIS MADE 240 AT HAMMER

     This George IV sideboard is estimated at just 700-1,100).

    This George IV sideboard is estimated at just 700-1,100).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,300 AT HAMMER

    CATTERSON-SMITH’S PRE-RAPHAELITE ARCHIVE AT SOTHEBY’S

    Friday, December 11th, 2015
    Chaucer

    The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer 1896 (£100,000-200,000).  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    The Pre-Raphaelite archive of Robert Catterson-Smith (1853-1938),  the Irish artist who worked alongside William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones in the 1890’s, comes up at Sotheby’s in London on December 15.  It comprises 48 lots of illustrations, photographs, letters and even a lock of William Morris’s hair.  The archive offers a rich insight into Catterson-Smith’s prominent, but frequently overlooked, role in the production of the Kelmscott Chaucer, considered one of the greatest achievements in the history of the printed press. Employed to assist with the preparation of Edward Burne-Jones’s celebrated illustrations for books produced by the Kelmscott Press, William Morris’s private publishing house established with the aim of reviving the traditional technique of hand-printing, Catterson-Smith worked on preparations for The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer, later described by W.B. Yeats as “the most beautiful of all printed books”. Then a relatively unknown artist, he worked from photographs of Burne-Jones’s delicate illustrations, tracing over and embellishing them, in order to make them conform to the thick, medieval wood-cut style designs Morris envisaged for his books.

    Morris never publically acknowledged Catterson-Smith’s role. A controversy began in 1898, when an anonymous contributor to the London Daily Chronicle suggested that Morris had been unfair and dishonest. Another commentator even went so far as to claim that, in his old age, Burne-Jones’s hands were too unsteady to properly execute the drawings, and that Catterson-Smith in fact redrawn them all.  Years later, a much agitated May Morris sought reassurance that Burne-Jones was the proper artist to credit and that her father had not been unjust, but she received only half-assurances. An examination of this archive invites us to reassess our understanding of the Pre-Raphaelite’s working practices as they embraced photography and new techniques, apparently in contravention of their purist doctrines.

    Catterson-Smith went on to become the Headmaster of the Birmingham School of Art during the peak of its reputation as one of the world’s leading Arts & Crafts centres. Aside from this collection, he has left behind a unique legacy in London: when working as an apprentice in a sculptor’s studio he was chosen as the model for the hands of Prince Albert, and they can still be found on the famous memorial in Kensington Gardens today rendered in gilt bronze.  Born in Dublin he was the son of Stephen Catterson Smith (1806-72), portrait painter and President of the Royal Hibernian Academy. Robert studied at the Royal Hibernian Academy and Dublin School of Art where he became an assistant teacher.  He moved to London in 1874.

    Illustrative material relating to The Well at the World's End (£2,000-3,000).

    Illustrative material relating to The Well at the World’s End (£2,000-3,000).  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR £6,875

    Illustrative material relating to The Tale of the Clerk of Oxenford (£800-1,200).

    Illustrative material relating to The Tale of the Clerk of Oxenford (£800-1,200).  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR £2,750

    The Frankeleyens Tale (4,000-6,000).

    Illustrative material relating to the The Frankeleyns Tale (£4,000-6,000)  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR £8,750.

    MADONNA’S LIKE A VIRGIN DRESS AT WHYTE’S AUCTION

    Thursday, December 10th, 2015
    Madonna's Like a Virgin dress (4,000-6,000).

    Madonna’s Like a Virgin dress (4,000-6,000).  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    From Madonna’s Like a Virgin stage worn dress to guitars signed by Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen the rock and pop memorabilia section at Whyte’s auction in Dublin on December 13 and 14 holds much to interest collectors.  Andre van Pier created stage costumes for Madonna who performed on her 1985 Virgin tour wearing a white bridal gown.  The dress was exhibited as part of the permanent display of the Barcelona Museum of Rock and comes to Whyte’s as part of the estate of the museum’s founder Jordi Tarda.

    The 1899 Irish rugby shirt.

    The 1899 Irish rugby shirt.  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    By way of contrast the auction also includes the earliest Irish international rugby shirt ever to be offered at auction. It is from 1899, the year Ireland scored a second Triple Crown victory, and was worn by Derry born Billy Byron. Unique to the 1899 shirt there is an embroidered spray of shamrock with four sprigs. It is estimated at 25,000-30,000.

    There is a selection of James Bond posters including From Russia with Love and Thunderball (each estimated at 2,000-3,000).  Rock memorabilia includes guitars signed by Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Roger Waters of Pink Floyd.  The auction of sports and entertainment memorabilia is in two parts: an online only sale at www.whytes.ie on December 13 and a live auction with internet bidding at Freemason’s Hall, Molesworth St., Dublin on December 14.

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for December 4, 2015).

    A Fender Affinity Telecaster electric guitar signed by Bruce Springsteen (800-1,200).

    A Fender Affinity Telecaster electric guitar signed by Bruce Springsteen (800-1,200).  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    A poster for Thunderball (2,000-3,000).

    A poster for Thunderball (2,000-3,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 3,000 AT HAMMER