The Limerick Silver bowl by John Robinson.
A Limerick silver bowl by John Robinson, made c1735 and stamped with the Arms of Molloy sold for 20,000 after the inaugural sale at Limerick Auction Rooms. The highlight of this first sale in Limerick, which up to now has not had its own auction rooms, was a collection of Provincial Irish silver.
There was some disappointment during the sale when the main pieces, a rare Queen Anne Kinsale cup circa 1710 by J&W Wall and the Limerick bowl failed to find buyers. The bowl was estimated at 20,00-25,000, the cup at 40,000-50,000. The Kinsale silver had attracted interest from around the country and the auctioneers even had an active bidder from a Boston museum. It is now under active negotiation. A Limerick silver serving spoon by Patrick Connell sold for 1,000. The bowl was bought by a private collector in Kildare with Limerick connections.
The Limerick sale demonstrated considerable local interest. It also underlines how potential collectors need to accustom themselves to buying at auction. There were large numbers at the viewing and the sale. Buyers were hesitant during the auction. This changed afterwards. The organisers were busy with buyers for several hours after the auction ended and a further 30 lots sold on the day after the sale.
See antiquesandartireland.com post for February 14.