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    • Archive for September, 2011

    FINE IRISH FURNITURE AT ADAMS IN SLANE CASTLE

    Friday, September 30th, 2011

    A set of five Irish neoclassical hall chairs from Rokeby Hall, County Louth, (3000-5000) (Click to enlarge).

    This rare Irish Georgian mirror is a highlight at Adams Slane Castle sale. UPDATE: IT WAS ESTIMATED AT 15,000-25,000 BUT FAILED TO SELL.

    THERE is an emphasis on fine furniture at the James Adam Country House Collections sale at Slane Castle, Co.  Meath on October 11.  The auction of 700 lots features fine furniture, silver, glass, porcelain, pictures and photography.

    There are pieces from the late Senator Edward McGuire and from the estate of Henriette and Serge Boissevain formely of Ballynatray House, Co Waterford.

    The strong silver section centres on items commissioned by Archbishop Ryder of Tuam in the mid-18th century.

    Highlights include the rare Irish Georgian giltwood mirror illustrated here.  Exceptionally decorated, it is expected to make up to 20,000.

    The sale is on view at Slane Castle from Saturday, October 8.  UPDATE: THERE WAS A 70 PER CENT SELL RATE IN A SALE THAT REALISED 960,000 AT HAMMER.

    A George III mahogany longcase clock signed Thomas Sanderson of Dublin. Provenance:The Hon. A.E. Guinness (3,000-5,000). Click to enlarge.

    A nest of three Chinese hardwood tea tables. Provenance : Estate of the late Henriette and Serge Boissevain, formerly of Ballynatray, Youghal, Co Cork 300-500. (Click on image to enlarge).

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    ICONIC FASHION DRAWINGS BY RENE GRUAU AT CHRISTIE’S IN OCTOBER

    Friday, September 30th, 2011

    Rene Gruau The Red Coat, circa 1950 (£3,000-5,000). (Click on images to enlarge). UPDATE: SOLD FOR £15,000.

    THE autumn sale of of 20th Century Decorative Art & Design at Christie’s in London on October 25 includes these iconic original fashion drawings by René Gruau (1909-2004) renowned haute couture illustrator who fashioned the style of the forties and fifties.  He was favoured by  leading fashion houses, including Christian Dior, Balenciaga, Balmain and Lanvin and was commissioned by the American editor Fleur Cowles in the 1950’s for Look and Flair magazines.

     

    UPDATE:  THE collection of René Gruau fashion illustrations easily quadrupled its low estimate. Bidding was fierce in the room, on the phone and online, mostly from European collectors and trade. 

    There is contemporary design, Art Nouveau, Modern and Postmodern works in a sale of over 130 lots expected to realise more than £2 million.

    Rene Gruau On the beach, circa 1950 (£3,000-5,000) UPDATE: SOLD FOR £5,000

    Rene Gruau The Blue Bows, circa 1950 (£3,000 -5,000). UPDATE: SOLD FOR £9,375

    
				
    

				
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    YEATS MASTERPIECE MAKES A MILLION AT ADAMS
    
				Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

				
    
					
    

    

    

    A Fair Day, Mayo by Jack Yeats sold for one million at Adams.
    

    A Jack Yeats masterpiece made a hammer price of one million euro at the James Adam auction of Irish art this evening to become the most expensive Irish picture to sell at auction this year. This gives an Irish art market a much needed shot in the arm.  The Irish market has lingered in the recessionary despite a strong recovery in the international art market.
    

    A Fair Day, Mayo which dates to 1925 also became the highest priced painting ever sold at auction in Ireland.  The best of Irish art has made its top prices at the London Irish art sales.
    

    The painting, which once hung in the office of Eamon de Valera, had been in the same family for 67 years.  It was chased by four bidders. The underbidder was a London agent acting on behalf of an unnamed client. A number of telephone lines were booked in advance of the sale.  There was spirited bidding in the room before the painting eventually wold on the telephone to an anonymous bidder.  Adams believe the picture will stay in Ireland.   A Fair Day, Mayo’, was originally sold for IR£250 to Mr. J. P. Reihill Snr in 1944 by Leo Smith and has remained in the Reihill family ever since.    After it was painted, the artist lent the picture to the leader of the new Fianna Fail party, Eamon de Valera who displayed it in his offices at Suffolk Place in Dublin. The subject is a bustling country fair and probably appealed to de Valera’s vision of Ireland.
    

    “The 24 x 36” work had never been on the market before, yet had been seen in a number of very prestigious exhibitions including “Images in Yeats” at Monte Carlo in 1990 and at  “The Moderns” at IMMA earlier this year.” A second painting by  Yeats – ‘The Dawn” – also featured in the sale and made 80,000.
    

    Adams managing director James O’Halloran said: “This picture was one of the largest and most valuable works by Yeats to appear on the market for many years and this evening’s result now proves that the market for Irish art is clearly here in Dublin, with Adam’s.
    

    See antiquesandartireland.com posts for September 19 and September 23.
    

    

    

    
				
    

				
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    HISTORIC 1978 MUNSTER V. ALL-BLACKS PROGRAMME MAKES RECORD PRICE
    
				Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

				
    
					
    The Munster v New Zealand match programme. (Click on image to enlarge)
    

    A detail from the programme. Click to enlarge)
    

    THE historic 1978 game in which Munster beat the All Blacks at Thomond Park in Limerick is part of Irish rugby folklore.  A programme for the game signed by the entire Munster team, sold for 2,800 at Mealy’s in Castlecomer on September 28.  Munster beat by All-Blacks by 12-0 in front of a crowd of 12,000. Many more people claim to have been present.
    
This is the only time the All-Blacks lost to any Irish side. The game was played on October 31, 1978. The official Munster RFC match programme , signed in pen on the middle page by the team, had been estimated at 400-500.
    
				
    

				
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    IRISH ART AT DE VERES OFFERS VALUE
    
				Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

				
    
					
    Dublin auctioneers de Veres will offer 128 works at an Irish art sale on October 3.  In line with current market trends estimates are low and there should be value available for collectors. The venue for the auction is the D4 Berkeley Court Hotel and the sale is due to start at 6 p.m.  The catalogue is on-line. Here is a small selection ( you can click on any image to enlarge):  UPDATE:  AROUND 75 PER CENT OF LOTS ONOFFER SOLD IN A SALE THAT BROUGHT IN 270,000 AT HAMMER.
    

    Tony O'Malley, Artist's Room, Ferrybank, Arklow, Co. Wicklow (2,000-4,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 2,700
    

    Washing Drying - Mid-day Rest by Gerard Dillon (4,000-6,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 4,000
    

    Kerry Hills by Jack Butler Yeats (30,000-40,000).  UPDATE: THIS WAS THE TOP LOT IN THE AUCTION AND MADE 29,000.
    

    Walter Frederick Osborne, Shepherding (8,000-12,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 23,500.
    
				
    

				
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    WORLD’S LARGEST EVER HAUL OF SHIPWRECKED SILVER DISCOVERED OFF IRELAND
    
				Monday, September 26th, 2011

				
    
					
    Tea chests in a cargo hold of the SS Gairsoppa. (Click on image to enlarge).
    

    The world’s largest ever haul of shipwrecked silver has been located off Ireland. The silver on board the SS Gairsoppa is thought to be worth around £155 million today.  The recovery is expected to be the largest known silver shipwreck cargo salvage in history.
    
The British cargo steamship, enlisted in the service of the United Kingdom Ministry of War Transport, was sunk by a German U-boat on February 17, 1941, approximately 300 miles southwest of Galway.  En route from India to Liverpool it was forced to break away from its military escort as weather conditions deteriorated and fuel began to run out. The sole survivor from a crew of 85 made it to the Cornish coast after 13 days.
    

    Odyssey Marine Exploration, a Florida based underwater archaeology and salvage firm, announced today that it has confirmed the identity and location of the shipwreck site nearly 4,700 meters below the surface of the North Atlantic in international waters.   In 2010, the United Kingdom Department for Transport awarded Odyssey, through a competitive bid, the exclusive salvage contract for the SS Gairsoppa. Odyssey will retain 80% of the net salved value of silver bullion recovered under the contract. Additional, uninsured silver may be aboard as well. Sources, including Lloyd’s Record of War Losses indicate a cargo of silver worth £600,000 at the time, which would equate to approximately 7 million total ounces of silver.
    

    UPDATE:  In July 2013 Odyssey recovered 61 tons of bullion, 1,574 precious bars. To date they have taken 2,792 silver bars, about 99 per cent of the insured cargo on the ship. It was taken ashore at Bristol.
    
				
    

				
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    AUTUMN FINE AND DECORATIVE ARTS SALE AT MEALY’S
    
				Monday, September 26th, 2011

				
    
					
    There will be more than 1,200 lots at the two day autumn fine and decorative art sale at Mealy’s in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny on October 4 and 5.  The auction features items from the Lyons Demesne, being sold on the instructions of the estate of Ryanair founder Dr. Tony Ryan, contents from a period home in the south east and a private collection of family crested and other silver.
    

    Here is a small selection:  UPDATE:  THIS WAS A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL TWO DAY SALE FOR MEALY’S THAT BROUGHT IN ABOUT 700,000 ON THE HAMMER.
    

    A Carrara George III chimneypiece in the Palladian style (7,000-11,000). UPDATE: IT MADE 13,000 AT HAMMER, BOUGHT BY THE TRADE.
    

    A four panel North African Suzani or wall panel (1,200-1,800). (Click on image to enlarge).  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
    

    An ebonised and gilt bronze mounted cabinet, probably Italian (2,000-3,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 3,700
    

    A 19th century carved oak breakfront bookcase, originally from Knocktopher Abbey, Co. Kilkenny (2,500-3,500).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 5,200 AT HAMMER.
    

    An early George III armorial salver by Richard Rugg, London, 1770 (700-800).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,350
    

    A 19th century Sutherland lustre bowl commemorating "Sobriety, Temperance, Freedom and Domestic Comfort" (80-150).  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
    

    A pair of bronze equestrian groups after Guillaume Coustou (4,800-5,800).  UPDATE: THESE WERE UNSOLD.
    

    A set of four Irish cast silver Irish candlesticks by John Walker, Dublin c1773 (15,000-25,000).  UPDATE: THEY MADE 20,000 AT HAMMER.
    
				
    

				
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    AFFORDABLE IRISH ART AT DOLAN’S LIMERICK AUCTION
    
				Monday, September 26th, 2011

				
    
					
    There will be an affordable Irish art sale by Dolan’s at the Castletroy Park Hotel in Limerick on Sunday October 2 at 3 p.m.  A total of 229 lots are to be sold, including 22 works from the studio of Thelma Mansfield to be offered entirely without reserve.  Here is a small selection (click on any image to enlarge): (UPDATE – over 80 per cent of lots were sold).
    

    William Conor, Bringing Home the Turf (1,800-2,200). UPDATE: It sold for 2,000.
    

    Thelma Mansfield, Galway Hookers 800-1,000. UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR 500.
    

    Gladys MacCabe, Co. Dublin Beach, watercolour (600-800).  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
    

    Chris Reid URBAN VILLAGE Lithograph, Limited Edition Hendriks Gallery Label Verso. (180-250). Click on image to enlarge.  UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR 200
    

    Summer Beach by Elizabeth Brophy (3,750-4,250).  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
    
				
    

				
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    BASEBALL BAT GIFTED BY BABE RUTH AT IRISH AUCTION
    
				Sunday, September 25th, 2011

				
    
					
    Babe Ruth in action.
    

    The Spalding bat.  UPDATE: THE BAT WAS WTHDRAWN AT 3,800 AND UNDER ACTIVE NEGOTIATION AFTERWARDS.
    

    A baseball bat gifted by Babe Ruth to an Irishman in 1926 comes under the hammer at Mealy’s Rare Books and Collectors’ sale in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny on September 28. The original Spalding B12 baseball bat, the handle grip end stamps 35″ (89cms), was given to Frank McGrath, manager of the first ever Inter-County GAA team from Ireland to visit the US.  The Tipperary Time team  received a civic reception at the Astor Hotel in New York on May 22, 1926.  It was hosted by the then Mayor, Jimmy Walker (‘Beau James’) whose father was from Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny and the Tipperary Men’s Association of New York. The team went to Yankee Stadium where they met Babe Ruth.  Frank McGrath presented a hurley to Babe Ruth and Babe Ruth gave the baseball bat to Frank McGrath.  The bat is estimated at 4,000-5,000.
    

    THE hurley signed by Jack Lynch. (Click on image to enlarge).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 750.
    

    Jack Lynch’s 1944 All-Ireland hurley features in the sale too.  Both sides are signed in black marker by the former Irish Taoiseach.  The 34″ hurling stick is reputed to be the one used in the 1944 quadruple All-Ireland for Cork by Jack Lynch.  It was gifted to Sam Melrose by Jack Lynch and is estimated at 500-600.
    

     
    

    UPDATE: THE TOP LOT AT THIS SALE WAS THE RUGBY PROGRAMME FOR THE HISTORIC  MUNSTER VERSUS THE ALL BLACKS GAME AT THOMOND PARK IN 1978 WHICH MUNSTER  WON. ESTIMATED AT 400/500 IT SOLD FOR 2,800.
    
				
    

				
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    CHRISTIE’S VIDEO OF THE ELIZABETH TAYLOR COLLECTIONS
    
				Sunday, September 25th, 2011

				
    
					
    

    Christie’s just released a video on The Elizabeth Taylor Collections.  It features jewellery, fashion, memorabilia, decorative art and fine art collected by the late Hollywood icon.  Catch it here on antiquesandartireland.com   See earlier posts for September 7 and June 29 on this website.
    
				
    

				
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