![CONGREVE 911](https://antiquesandartireland.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/CONGREVE-911-e1341826616813.jpg)
This Chinese Yongzheng vase, lot 911, is estimated at 20,000-30,000. (Click on image to enlarge). UPDATE: IT MADE 26,000 AT HAMMER.
EVERYONE seems to want something of Mount Congreve. Thousands of people descended on the Co. Waterford big house, venue for Ireland’s largest country house auction in decades, over the weekend.
Internet bidders from US, Canada, China, Japan, Chile, Russia, throughout Continental Europe as well as Australia, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt have already registered to take part. Competition will be strong for lots rights across the board.
Mealy’s, who will conduct the sale in association with Christie’s, say that international interest has focused on the prime furniture, the carpets, chandeliers and Oriental items like lot 911, a Chinese Yongzheng vase estimated at 20,000-30,000. Lot 985, a commode, was reputedly bought in the courtyard of Versailles during the French Revolution and said to have been once owned by Marie Antoinette. It is estimated at 20,000-30,000. Other top lots include a mahogany Carlton House Desk with an estimate of 80,000-100,000 and the Schreiber collection of salt glaze ceramics (40,000-60,000).
The auction is on July 10 and 11.
UPDATE: THE sale brought in 2.25 million at hammer. Up to 13,000 people attended three days of viewing. Everything was sold, many lots at significantly above estimate.
(See posts on antiquesandartireland.com for July 3, May 24, June 24, May 20 and April 16, 2012).