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  • Archive for September, 2016

    UNPUBLISHED SKETCH LEAF FOR EMPEROR CONCERTO AT SOTHEBY’S

    Saturday, September 24th, 2016
    An unpublished sketch-leaf for Ludwig van Beethoven’s "Emperor” Concerto

    An unpublished sketch-leaf for Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto.  UPDATE: THIS MADE £377,000

    A previously undocumented and unpublished sketch-leaf for Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto comes up at Sotheby’s in London on October 20. Offered on the open market for the first time in a sale entitled  “The Library of an English Bibliophile, Part VI”, this sketch-leaf is one of the earliest for this great work, possibly containing Beethoven’s first draft of its famous themes. Most of the surviving drafts for the Fifth Piano Concerto are in two sketch-books in the Deutsche Staatsbibliothek, Berlin.

    Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto in E Flat Major, Op. 73 is dedicated to Archduke Rudolf of Austria (1788-1831), the brother of Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor and Beethoven’s great friend, patron and pupil.  The Archduke began taking lessons from Beethoven aged 15 or 16 and he was the only pupil that Beethoven taught composition to. It is estimated at £150,000-200,000.  UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR £377,000

    FONSIE MEALY SALE BRIMFUL OF INTEREST

    Friday, September 23rd, 2016

    First editions, literature, Republican and political items, sporting medals and all sorts of memorabilia will come up at Fonsie Mealy’s Rare Book and Collectors’s sale at the Ormonde Hotel in Kilkenny on September 28.  More than 800 lots will come under the hammer. Lot 733 is a head and shoulders portrait of Archbishop Thomas William Croke (1824-1902), after whom Croke Park in Dublin is named. He was the second catholic bishop of the Diocese of Auckland in New Zealand and later Archbishop of Cashel and Emly in Ireland.  The portrait, by P. MacEgan, is estimated at 800-1,200. A limited edition of The Playboy of the Western World with illustrations by Louis le Brocquy is estimated at 180-260 and a Marrowbone Lane combatants medal from 1916 is estimated at 2,000-3,000.  There is an estimate of 300-400 on a selection of Irish political postcards and a programme for the 1978 rugby match at Thomond Park where Munster conquered the All-Blacks is estimated at 400-600.  There is everything from signed first editions by Seamus Heaney to the Military Cross awarded to Tipperary chaplain Edmund Canon after an action at Ypres in 1917 (1,000-1,500) in a sale that is brimful of interest.

    P. Mac Egan, 20th Century Irish School "Archbishop Th. William Croke,"

    P. Mac Egan, 20th Century Irish School “Archbishop Th. William Croke,”. UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,300 AT HAMMER

    Tipperary Chaplain's Military Cross Medal: World War One (1914 - 1918)

    Tipperary Chaplain’s Military Cross Medal: World War One (1914 – 1918) UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    The Day Munster Conquered the All-Blacks Programme: Rugby: Munster R.F.C.

    The Day Munster Conquered the All-Blacks Programme: Rugby: Munster R.F.C.  UPDATE: THIS MADE 380 AT HAMMER

    Postcards: Irish Political, 1916 - 22

    Postcards: Irish Political, 1916 – 22  UPDATE: THIS MADE 300 AT HAMMER

    1916 Marrowbone Lane Combatants Medal 1916 Medal: An original 1916 Rising Combatants Service Medal

    1916 Marrowbone Lane Combatants Medal 1916 Medal: An original 1916 Rising Combatants Service Medal  UPDATE: THIS MADE 2,400 AT HAMMER

    GLOBAL INTEREST IN REAGAN PRIVATE COLLECTION SALE

    Friday, September 23rd, 2016
    PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN’S COWBOY BOOTS, BY TONY LAMA BOOTS, CIRCA 1980

    PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN’S COWBOY BOOTS, BY TONY LAMA BOOTS, CIRCA 1980

    With strong participation from across Europe and Asia bidders from 34 countries took part in the sale of the private collection of President Ronald Reagan and Mrs. Nancy Reagan at Christie’s.  Part I of the sale totalled $5,740,625. There were 1,200 registered bidders and the auction was 100% sold by lot.  The top lot was a diamond, sapphire and ruby ring by Bulgari which sold for $319,500.  President Reagan’s cowboy boots, which had been estimated at $10,000-20,000 – sold for $199,500.

    A signed fragment of the Berlin Wall made $277,500, a painting by Frank Sinatra – Fourth of July Fireworks – made $233,500 and a series of pencil sketches signed Ronald Reagan on White House stationary sold for $100,000.

    An online auction continues until September 27-28.  The sale will benefit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute.

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for June 2, 2016)

    ALL THE FUN OF THE IADA FAIR AT THE RDS

    Thursday, September 22nd, 2016

    The 51st annual Irish Antique Dealers Fair previews tonight at the RDS in Dublin. The best of antique furniture, silver, glass, silver, contemporary Irish art and design will be on display in a weekend fair which is expected to draw up to 15,000 people between now and closing on Sunday evening.  Legendary US interior designer Carleton Varney, who has designed for five US first ladies in a row from Jackie Kennedy to Barbara Bush and this year received four nominations in the international hotel awards, is among the speakers at the event.

    Julian Radcliffe of the Art Loss Register will host a talk on Protecting Irish Heritage, Recovering Stolen Art and Antiques in Ireland.  Antiques dealer Niall Mullen predicts a bumper year for the fair with an increase in demand for antique furniture driven by a strong domestic property market.  Here is a small selection from the very large offering available at the fair.

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for September 17, 2016)

    An Irish William IV rosewood tea caddy at Treasures

    An Irish William IV rosewood tea caddy at Treasures

    An antique lock at The Store Yard

    An antique lock at The Store Yard

     Harp brooch by Waterhouse of Dublin c1850 at The Silver Shop.

    Harp brooch by Waterhouse of Dublin c1850 at The Silver Shop.

    A c1870 Archaeological Revival hinged bangle at Cobwebs.

    A c1870 Archaeological Revival hinged bangle at Cobwebs.

    A Victorian Louis XVI style French Kingwood bureau-de-dame at Adam Antiques.

    A Victorian Louis XVI style French Kingwood bureau-de-dame at Adam Antiques.

    SINGING UNDER THE CANOPY OF HEAVEN BY YEATS AT WHYTE’S

    Wednesday, September 21st, 2016
    Jack B. Yeats (1871-1957) - Singing Under the Canopy of Heaven (90,000-120,000)

    Jack B. Yeats (1871-1957) – Singing Under the Canopy of Heaven (90,000-120,000)  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 85,000

    A striking oil by Jack B. Yeats entitled Singing Under the Canopy of Heaven is among the many highlights at Whyte’s sale of Irish and international art sale at the RDS in Dublin on September 26. The work, which dates from 1950, is estimated at 90,000-120,000. It is one of a number of late Yeats paintings which focusses on strolling players and performers in the Irish countryside.   There are from the McClelland Collection in this auction but the Yeats is not one of them. The catalogue lists 180 lots. Here is a small selection.

    (See posts on antiquesandartireland.com for September 6 and August 25, 2016)

    Tony O'Malley HRHA (1913-2003) THE NIGHT PAINTER, 1981 - (12,000-15,000)

    Tony O’Malley HRHA (1913-2003) THE NIGHT PAINTER, 1981 – (12,000-15,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 14,000

    Dame Lucie Rie (1902-1995) PORCELAIN BOTTLE, c.1960 (10,000-15,000)

    Dame Lucie Rie (1902-1995) PORCELAIN BOTTLE, c.1960 (10,000-15,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 20,000 AT HAMMER

    Jean Lurçat (French, 1892-1966) LE TAURERGOT, 1949 (4,000-6,000)

    Jean Lurçat (French, 1892-1966) LE TAURERGOT, 1949 (4,000-6,000)  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 9,000

    Daniel O'Neill (1920-1974) Figure in a Landscape (30,000-40,000)

    Daniel O’Neill (1920-1974) Figure in a Landscape (30,000-40,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 45,000 AT HAMMER

    BORGHESE WINDSOR CABINET MAKES AUCTION RECORD PRICE

    Wednesday, September 21st, 2016
    The Borghese Windsor cabinet.

    The Borghese Windsor cabinet.

    The Borghese-Windsor Cabinet – the most important Roman cabinet ever to have come onto the market – sold for 2,499,000 euro at Sotheby’s in Paris last night.  It was bought by the J. Paul Getty Museum in what was a world auction record price for a piece of Roman furniture. Made in Rome circa 1620, this exceptional gilt-bronze mounted silver, ebony and hard stone cabinet boasts exceptional provenance. It belonged to Pope Paul V Borghese (1605-1621), before being acquired in 1824 by King George IV who displayed it in Windsor Castle. The cabinet remained in the Royal Collection until 1959, when it was bought by Aladar de Balkany, on the advice of his son who was passionate about architecture.

    International collectors were out in force to testify the extraordinary eye and taste of the great French collector Robert de Balkany (1931-2015). In the first of three sales at Sotheby’s in Paris, collectors, art dealers and institutions from across the globe (including the US, Europe, Russia, Asia and the Middle East) registered their intention to bid on masterpieces of Decorative Arts and Old Masters paintings from Robert de Balkany’s Paris residence, the Hôtel de Feuquières in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The sale had been preceded by an exhibition which attracted over 3,000 visitors.  Among the top ten lots sold was night was George Stubbs portrait of Viscount Gormanston’s White Dog, which made 459,000.

    Mario Tavella, Président-Directeur Général, Sotheby’s France and Chairman, Sotheby’s Europe said: “The two top lots of this evening – the Borghese-Windsor Cabinet and Charles Clay’s organ clock – are testament to Robert de Balkany’s eye and passion for hardstone furniture and exceptional timepieces – the most important categories of his collection. Both of these exceptional pieces went to major art institutions the J. Paul Getty Museum and the Museum van Speelklok tot Pierement, Utrecht and for me, this is the best tribute to my friend Robert. It was an honour to have been entrusted with the sale of the masterpieces in his collection which he jealously kept in Paris. ”

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for November 12, 2010)

    FOUR DAYS OF SALES AT LOUGHTON HOUSE, CO. OFFALY

    Tuesday, September 20th, 2016

    Irish furniture and silver, portraits, an historic library and vintage and classic cars will come under the hammer at four days of sales by Sheppards at Loughton House, Moneygall, Co. Offaly from September 27-30. Here are some examples from the furniture on offer:

    Pair of 19th century satinwood and painted and parcel gilt commodes (14,000-18,000)

    Pair of 19th century satinwood and painted and parcel gilt commodes (14,000-18,000)  UPDATE: THESE MADE 12,500 AT HAMMER

    One of a pair of Irish Walnut console tables (6,000-8,000)

    One of a pair of Irish Walnut console tables (6,000-8,000)  UPDATE: THESE MADE 6,000 AT HAMMER

    18th/19th Ottoman mother of pearl veneered wooden chest (3,000-5,000)

    18th/19th Ottoman mother of pearl veneered wooden chest (3,000-5,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 2,500 AT HAMMER

    One of a pair of carved gilt wood Louis XV style settees (1,500-2,500)

    One of a pair of carved gilt wood Louis XV style settees (1,500-2,500)  UPDATE: THIS LOT WAS UNSOLD

    c1900 large mahogany Hepplewhite style serving table (2,500-3,500)

    c1900 large mahogany Hepplewhite style serving table (2,500-3,500)  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 2,600

    19th century carved pedestal desk (500-700)

    19th century carved pedestal desk (500-700) UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    A William IV four poster bed (2,500-3,500)

    A William IV four poster bed (2,500-3,500) UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,900 AT HAMMER

    GRAPHICS BY MUNCH AT SOTHEBY’S PRINTS SALE

    Monday, September 19th, 2016

    Graphic works by Edvard Munch Two Human Beings. The Lonely Ones and Self-Portrait, both acquired directly from the artist, come up at Sotheby’s sale of Prints and Multiples in London on September 27.  Self-Portrait is from a private Norwegian collection and was originally owned by Olaf Schou, the Norwegian industrialist and art patron; Two Human Beings. The Lonely Ones was purchased directly from Munch in 1942 by Harald Holst Halvorsen. They are never been at auction before and are estimated respectively at £50,000-70,000 and £400,000-600,000.

    Lucy Rosenburgh, Sotheby’s Prints Specialist, said: Schou and Halvorsen were two of Munch’s most important patrons, with whom he enjoyed an equally strong friendship. The notable provenance of these prints makes their appearance on the market all the more appealing to collectors.”

    Edvard Munch - The Lonely Ones (£400,000-600,000)

    Edvard Munch – The Lonely Ones (£400,000-600,000)

    Edvard Munch - Self-Portrait (£50,000-70,000)

    Edvard Munch – Self-Portrait (£50,000-70,000)

    FRIEZE WEEK SALES ANTICIPATE AUTUMN EXHIBITIONS

    Monday, September 19th, 2016
    Thomas Schütte, Bronzefrau Nr. 13 (2003) Bronze figure on steel table (£1,200,000-1,800,000)

    Thomas Schütte, Bronzefrau Nr. 13 (2003) Bronze figure on steel table (£1,200,000-1,800,000)

    Christie’s Frieze Week auction of Post-War and Contemporary Art in London on October 6 will bring together over 200 of the foremost names in the contemporary art world today. The sale focuses on artists who are the subjects of the most anticipated exhibitions this autumn, including Glenn Brown, David Hockney, Per Kirkeby, Gerald Laing, Thomas Schütte, Henry Taylor, Günther Uecker and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye.  The sale will be followed on the the same evening by the Italian Sale.  Together with the Leslie Waddington Collection on October 4 and the Post War and Contemporary Day Auction on October 7 it adds up to what Christie’s say is one of the most important weeks in the contemporary art-world calendar.

    Cristian Albu, Specialist, Head of the Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Auction: ‘This October my aim was to put an emphasis on names that are fresh and relevant to the current art landscape and it is remarkable in the selection the number of artists who are currently the subject of major solo or participating in important group shows across the world. Alongside the Waddington Collection and the Italian Sale we are looking forward to seeing another season at Christie’s of the highest quality works alongside new talent that promises major results.’ 

    NO SHORTAGE OF ECLECTIC COLLECTORS AT WHYTE’S DUBLIN AUCTION

    Monday, September 19th, 2016
    This diving helmet sold for 8,000

    This diving helmet sold for 8,000

    There was no shortage of eclectic collectors at Whyte’s sale in Dublin.  Bidders vied for unusual, once off and financial liquidity hedging lots. A diving helmet by Siebe Gorman and Co., London given as a retirement present to Joe Murphy who used it as a diver with the Dublin Port and Docks during the 1960’s sold for 8,000 at hammer. A Belleek Crouching Venus sculpture sold for 3,800, the wall clock that was in the GPO in Dublin in 1916 made 7,500, a Munster and Leinster Bank Ploughman’s Note sold for 2,500 and a Victorian gold coin from India, 1882 sold for 2,400.

    A Chief Marshalls baton from a Parnell anniversary demonstration in 1890 made 3,800; a 1921 Michael Collins autograph signature written on the mailboat from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire on the way back from signing The Treat sold for 3,000; a signed special edition of Patrick Kavanagh poetry made 1,400; a Corgi toys Monte Carlo Rally gift set made 1,000; a deactivated British Army bren light machine gun made 2,100 and a 1914-18 German helmet made 1,700.