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  • Archive for May, 2014

    CORK REGENCY BOOKCASES AT LYNES AND LYNES

    Saturday, May 31st, 2014

    A pair of Cork Regency bookcase cabinets are a feature lot at Lynes and Lynes sale in Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork on June 7.  In original condition and complete with brass trellis doors they are estimated at 4,000-6,000.   The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection.

    A pair of Cork Regency bookcases (4,000-6,000).

    A pair of Cork Regency bookcases (4,000-6,000). UPDATE: THESE WERE UNSOLD

     

    A c1830 Regency sofa table (1,000-1,500)

    A c1830 Regency sofa table (1,000-1,500) UPDATE: THIS MADE 900

     

    A set of four c1820 Cork Georgian hall chairs (1,000-1,500).

    A set of four c1820 Cork Georgian hall chairs (1,000-1,500). UPDATE: THESE MADE 1,100

     

    An Irish yew carver (300-500).

    An Irish yew carver (300-500).  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 150

     

    VAN DYCK SALE TO BENEFIT ECUMENICAL RETREAT HOUSE

    Saturday, May 31st, 2014

     

    The portrait study by van Dyck.

    The portrait study by van Dyck.  UPDATE: THIS FAILED TO SELL.

    A portrait study by Sir Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641), recently re-discovered on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, will be offered at Christie’s Old Master & British Paintings sale on July 8.  Bought by Fr. James MacLeod at an antiques shop in Cheshire for just £400 twelve years ago the work is estimated at £300,000-500,000.  It is a preparatory sketch for van Dyck’s full-length group portrait of The Magistrates of Brussels painted in 1634-35. 

    The proceeds of the sale will go towards the acquisition of new church bells for Whaley Hall Ecumenical Retreat House in Derbyshire to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War.

     

    UPDATE: THE WORK FAILED TO SELL

    O’CONOR MAKES 210,000 AT JAMES ADAM

    Thursday, May 29th, 2014

    Roderic O’Conor’s Chemin Menant a Grez was the top lot at the highly successful James Adam sale of Imortant Irish Art in Dublin on May 28.  It made a hammer price of 210,000. O’Conor’s Landscape with Garden and Mountain made 36,000 and his Landscape with Trees made 25,000 at hammer.  The fourth, a nude, was unsold.

    Beero by William Conor made 97,000 at hammer over a top estimate of 50,000 and was one of a good number of lots to sell above estimate.  Cuchulainn  IV, a tapestry by Louis le Brocquy, sold for 120,000 over a top estimate of 60,000.  Sean Scully’s Passenger Line, Black made 80,000 over a top estimate of 60,000.
    The Bellman, a sculpture by Jerome Connor sold for 11,500,, Gerard Dillon’s Footing the Turf made 29,000, Mountain Village, Andalucia by George Campbell made 13,000 over a top estimate of 3,500 and Achill Woman by Grace Henry made 3,200 over a top estimate of 3,000. A Dusty Rose by Jack Butler Yeats made 62,000 at hammer and The Port Authority by Sean Keating sold for 80,000.  An oil on board by John Shinnors, The Bunny on the Bank, made 5,400 over a top estimate of 5,000 and a portrait of Thomas Moore attributed to Martin Archer Shee sold for 3,000 over  a top estimate of 1,500.
    (SEE posts on antiquesandartireland,com for May 24 and May 16, 2014)
    Cuchalainn IV, a tapestry by Louis le Brocquy sold for 120,000

    Cuchalainn IV, a tapestry by Louis le Brocquy sold for 120,000

    Jack Butler Yeats - A Dusty Rose sold for 62,000

    Jack Butler Yeats – A Dusty Rose sold for 62,000

    Beero by William Conor sold for 97,000

    Beero by William Conor sold for 97,000

    Sean Scully - Passenger Line, Black sold for 80,000

    Sean Scully – Passenger Line, Black sold for 80,000

    BOTTICELLI DRAWING AT SOTHEBY’S IN JULY

    Wednesday, May 28th, 2014
    Study for a seated St. Joseph, his head resting on his right hand Pen and brown ink heightened with white over black chalk, on beige-pink washed paper. Squared in black chalk for transfer (£1-1.5 million).

    Study for a seated St. Joseph, his head resting on his right hand
    Pen and brown ink heightened with white over black chalk, on beige-pink washed paper.
    Squared in black chalk for transfer (£1-1.5 million).  UPDATE: IT MADE £1.3 MILLION

    The only Botticelli drawing to appear on the market in over 100 years comes up at Sotheby’s in London on July 9.  Study for a Seated St. Joseph, his head resting on his right hand, is the only drawing by Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510) in private hands. This is the first sheet by the Renaissance master to come to auction since the 19th century and the only drawing which can be clearly linked with one of his painted compositions. The drawing is a study for the figure of St. Joseph to the left of The Nativity with adoring St. John the Baptist.

    It is from the collection of Barbara Piasecka Johnson (1937-2013), art connoisseur, philanthropist and wife of the late John Seward Johnson, co-founder of Johnson and Johnson. Sotheby’s sale of Old Master and British Paintings on July 9 will present nine works from her estate.  The proceeds are to the benefit the Barbara Piasecka Johnson Foundation, the primary focus of which is helping children with autism.
    UPDATE: IT MADE £1.3 MILLION.  This was the highest price ever paid for a drawing by the artist at auction.

    EMIN’S BED AT CHRISTIE’S IN JULY

    Wednesday, May 28th, 2014
    TRACEY EMIN (B. 1963) My Bed mattress, linens, pillows and objects (£800,000-1.2 million).  Courtesy Christie's Images Ltd., 2014.

    TRACEY EMIN (B. 1963)
    My Bed
    mattress, linens, pillows and objects (£800,000-1.2 million). Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2014.  UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR £2,546,500, A WORLD RECORD FOR THE ARTIST

    My Bed by Tracey Emin, one of the most iconic and shocking self-portraits of the contemporary generation, will be offered at Christie’s in London on July 1.  Dating from 1998 it was shortlisted for the Turner Prize the following year, causing a furore.  Estimated at £800,000-1.2 million it is being sold to benefit the Saatchi Gallery’s Foundation.

    It is a snapshot of a debauched period of the artist’s life after a period of suicidal depression brought on by the break up of a relationship. The bed is surrounded by personal effects including empty vodka bottles, cigarette packets, stained sheets,discarded condoms and soiled underwear.  The artist has said that she had a sort of mini-nervous breakdown and did not get out of bed for four days.   She had a drink of water, made her way back to the bedroom and was shocked by what she saw. Then in a sudden flash she saw the bed in a white space and saw that it looked brilliant.  When it was exhibited it was shocking to some people but Emin – in an interview with fellow artist Julian Schnabel – said she thought it looked like a damsel in distress, like a woman fainting or something and needing to be helped.
    UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR £2,546,500, A WORLD RECORD FOR THE ARTIST

    PURCELL TO BE HEAD OF COLLECTIBLES AT WHYTE’S

    Wednesday, May 28th, 2014
    Stuart Purcell.

    Stuart Purcell.

    Stuart Purcell has been appointed as head of collectibles at Whyte’s auctioneers in Dublin. He has more than 15 years experience and previously worked in Dublin with James Adam, Adams Blackrock and latterly as a director of Orr and Company, Delgany.  He has extensive knowledge of antiques and collectibles and acts as a valuer and advisor to several corporate clients.  He presents “Cash or Trash” on TV3 and appraises objects submitted by viewers.

    Whyte’s will hold separate sales of Movie Posters and Rock and Pop Memorabilia in Dublin on May 31.

    GERARD DILLON AND ANDY WARHOL THE TOP SALES AT WHYTE’S

    Tuesday, May 27th, 2014
    Gerard Dillon (1916-1971) HOME WITH THE CATCH

    Gerard Dillon (1916-1971)
    HOME WITH THE CATCH

    Gerard Dillon’s Home with the Catch was the top lot at Whyte’s sale of Important Irish art in Dublin on May 26.   The  classic west of Ireland image made a hammer price of 60,000.  The work depicts a young family making their way home through the village with the daily catch of fish. The artist first visited the west in 1939 and became enchanted by the people and the scenery.  This was a major theme of his work throughout the 1940’s and ’50’s.  Colin Middleton’s Seated Figure made 25,000 and Trees by Mary Swanzy sold for 22,000.

    Among the international artists in the sale Andy Warhol’s Be a Somebody with a Body sold for 50,000 and Love is in the Air by Banksy made 15,000.

    (See posts on antiquesandartireland,com for May 22 and May 17, 2014)

    Andy Warhol (USA, 1928-1987) BE A SOMEBODY WITH A BODY, 1985

    Andy Warhol (USA, 1928-1987)
    BE A SOMEBODY WITH A BODY, 1985

    Mary Swanzy HRHA (1882-1978) TREES

    Mary Swanzy HRHA (1882-1978)
    TREES

    Colin Middleton MBE RHA (1910-1983) SEATED FIGURE: 6.72 [1972]

    Colin Middleton MBE RHA (1910-1983)
    SEATED FIGURE: 6.72 [1972]

    BEATLES, MADONNA, MICHAEL JACKSON AT WHYTE’S ROCK AND POP SALE

    Monday, May 26th, 2014
    Elvis Presley, Queen, The Beatles, The Stones, Curt Cobain, U2 and Madonna are among the cast who feature at Whyte’s Rock and Pop memorabilia auction in Dublin on May 31.  The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection:
    (See video post on antiquesandartireland.com  for May 19, 2014)
    Michael Jackson 30 July 1988 Cork concert tickets and VIP pass. (100-150)

    Michael Jackson 30 July 1988 Cork concert tickets and VIP pass. (100-150)   UPDATE: THIS MADE 90

    Curt Cobain: A color photograph of Kurt Cobain, later of the band Nirvana, in his fifth grade group class photo. Cobain, with his blond hair, is seen sitting on the floor holding one side of a red sign that reads, Beacon Avenue Elementary Grade - 5 Mrs. Grove  (200-300)

    Curt Cobain: A color photograph of Kurt Cobain, later of the band Nirvana, in his fifth grade group class photo. Cobain, with his blond hair, is seen sitting on the floor holding one side of a red sign that reads, Beacon Avenue Elementary Grade – 5 Mrs. Grove (200-300)  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    Madonna 1993 Girlie Show" poster, autographed." (100-150)

    Madonna 1993 Girlie Show” poster, autographed.” (100-150)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 160

    Beatles autographs:  John Lennon, Ringo Starr XXX", "The Beatles love Paul McCartney XXX" and George Harrison XXX" on pieces of a magazine they signed for the present owner, then aged 15, on the set of Thank Your Lucky Stars, the first pop chart show on British television (1,500-2,000)

    Beatles autographs: John Lennon, Ringo Starr XXX”, “The Beatles love Paul McCartney XXX” and George Harrison XXX” on pieces of a magazine they signed for the present owner, then aged 15, on the set of Thank Your Lucky Stars, the first pop chart show on British television (1,500-2,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 3,200

    U2 - Promotional photographic card signed by Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen, Jr. Dated 3 September 1983 (200-250)

    U2 – Promotional photographic card signed by Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen, Jr. Dated 3 September 1983 (200-250)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 400

    ASIAN 20TH CENTURY AND CONTEMPORARY ART MAKES $60.6 MILLION

    Sunday, May 25th, 2014

     

    Potted Chrysanthemums by Sanyu.

    Potted Chrysanthemums by Sanyu.

    The Asian 20th century and contemporary art evening sale at Christie’s in Hong Kong achieved US$60,640,488. The top lot was Potted Chrysanthemums by Sanyu which made US$5,966,784.  Eagles by Xu Bihong made US$3,208,896 and No. 229 by Chu Teh-Chun sold for US$3,063,744.

    Eric Chang, Christie’s Deputy Chairman of Asia, said:  We saw a strong sell-through rate, with special strength in Southeast Asian and Korean art. This confirms the diverse interests of collectors in Asian 20th century and contemporary art, while demand for works by 20th century masters such as Sanyu and Xu Beihong is consistently strong. The enthusiasm from private collectors for the category from across Asia was also very evident in the evening sale.

    FRESH TO MARKET IRISH ART AT ADAMS AUCTION

    Saturday, May 24th, 2014
    Roderic O'Conor (1860-1940) - Landscape with road and farm buildings.

    Roderic O’Conor (1860-1940) – Landscape with road and farm buildings. UPDATE: THIS MADE 210,000 AT HAMMER.

    Fresh to market art, including an early masterpiece by Roderic O’Conor, will highlight the James Adam auction of important Irish art in Dublin on May 28. O’Conor’s Landscape with Road and Farm Buildings dates to circa 1889 and demonstrates a deep awareness of Impressionist techniques by this Irish artist.  Estimated at 150,000-250,000 it is one of four O’Conors from the dining room at Deepwell, the Blackrock, Co. Dublin home of the late businessman John Reihill.  All four are in the sale. Mr. Reihill and his father before him were collectors and the sale includes 50 lots from Deepwell with paintings by James Humbert Craig, Frank McKelvey,  Sean Keating, William Conor, Louis le Brocquy, John Lavery, Mary Swanzy and Walter Osborne and sculpture by Gerda Frommel, Vivienne Roche, Rowan Gillespie and Michael Warren and Irish American sculptor Jerome Connor (1874-1943).

    Elsewhere in the auction art by Dan O’Neill, Colin Middleton, George Campbell, Norah McGuinness, Patrick Hennesy, Gerard Dillon, William van der Hagen and Richard Brydges Beechey is on offer. The catalogue is online.
    UPDATE:  It sold for a hammer price of 210,000
    (See video post on antiquesandartireland.com for May 16, 2014)