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  • Archive for May, 2014

    PORTRAIT OF DANIEL O’CONNELL AT FONSIE MEALY SALE

    Saturday, May 17th, 2014

    A portrait of Daniel O’Connell which was at the Cork and County Club for many years is at Fonsie Mealy’s sale in Castlecomer next Tuesday on Msy  20.  It is estimated at 15,000-20,000. Other lots include a half length portrait of Richard Roberts of Cork, captain of the Sirius, the first steamship to cross the Atlantic in 1838 (1,000-1,500

    A large Killarney centre table is estimated at 15,000-20,000.  On the more contemporary side is Waterfall, a heavy Nepalese tapestry by Pauline Bewick measuring approximately 9′ x 5′.  This unique piece is signed and inscribed by the artist.

    (See posts on antiquesandartireland.com for May 15 and May 7 2014).

    A portrait of Daniel O'Connell by Nicholas Crowley (1819-1857)

    A portrait of Daniel O’Connell by Nicholas Crowley (1819-1857)  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    A portrait of Capt. Richard Roberts, Cork, in Naval uniform at Fonsie Mealy in Castlecomer on May 20.

    A portrait of Capt. Richard Roberts, Cork, in Naval uniform at Fonsie Mealy in Castlecomer on May 20.  UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,600

    This large Killarney wood centre table is estimated at 15,000-20,000.

    This large Killarney wood centre table is estimated at 15,000-20,000.  UPDATE: THIS MADE 15,000

     

    A VIDEO ON ADAMS SALE OF IMPORTANT IRISH ART

    Friday, May 16th, 2014

    HERE is a video from James Adam Auctioneers about their sale of Important Irish Art in Dublin on May 28.

    MODIGLIANI PORTRAIT AT SOTHEBY’S PARIS

    Friday, May 16th, 2014
    Amadeo Modigliani Portrait de Paul Alexandre

    Amadeo Modigliani
    Portrait de Paul Alexandre  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 13,537,500

    Joan Miro Personnage, oiseau, 1976 (1 - 1.5 million)

    Joan Miro
    Personnage, oiseau, 1976 (1 – 1.5 million)  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    Portrait of Paul Alexandre  by Amedeo Modigliani will headline Sotheby’s sale of Impressionist & Modern Art in Paris on June 4. Estimated at 5-8 million it pays tribute to Modigliani’s earliest and most important patron. It is one of five works by the Italian artist to be offered during the sale.

    Modern Art is represented by, among others, Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque and Fernand Léger. Surrealism is represented in works by Francis Picabia, Yves Tanguy, Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, Max Ernst, Wifredo Lam, Leopold Survage and others.

    Georges Braque - Still life with cherries (600,000-800,000).

    Georges Braque – Still life with cherries (600,000-800,000). UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 1,261,500

    TWO RECLINING FIGURES BY LYNN CHADWICK

    Friday, May 16th, 2014

     

    ‘Two Reclining Figures’ by Lynn Chadwick

    ‘Two Reclining Figures’ by Lynn Chadwick  UPDATE: SOLD FOR £446,500

    A sculpture by Lynn Chadwick (1914-2013) will be sold at Bonhams auction of British and Irish art in London on May 28.  Two Reclining Figures is estimated at £400,000-600,000..

    Matthew Bradbury, Head of British and Irish Art said: “Two reclining figures is among Lynn Chadwick’s most tender sculptures. The couple display an intimacy rarely seen in the artist’s sculptures up to this point. It follows on the from the earlier monumental figure groups The Watchers (1960) and Three Elektras (1969) and ushered in a new period for Chadwick where he produced life-size bronzes on a more regular basis.”

    UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR £446,500

     

    WARHOL PIPS POPEYE AT SOTHEBY’S NEW YORK

    Thursday, May 15th, 2014
    Jeff Koons Popeye signed, dated 2009-2011 and numbered 3/3.

    Popeye does Vegas           Jeff Koons – Popeye
    signed, dated 2009-2011 and numbered 3/3.

    Warhol pipped Popeye at Sotheby’s in New York last night. A set of six self-portraits by Andy Warhol made $30,125,000 at the sale of contemporary art.  It was the top lot in an auction which realised $364,379,000 million.  Popeye by Jeff Koons, the catalogue cover lot, sold for $28,165,000 and is destined for Las Vegas. Other Warhol highlights include Big Electric Chair which sold for $20,437,000 and 12 Mona Lisas (Reversal Series) which made $11,365,000.   There were artist records for Rosemarie Trockel, Dan Flavin, Adam McEwen, Matthew Barney, Sarah Lucas, Keith Haring, James Rosenquist, Wade Guyton, and Julian Schnabel.

    Alexander Rotter, Co-Head of Sotheby’s Worldwide Contemporary Art Department, commented: “Tonight, the Contemporary market continued its solid ascent with one of Sotheby’s biggest ever sales. Global participation was evident throughout the process and helped to drive our sell-through rate of 85%. We began tonight with 19 lots from The Sender Collection, which brought a fantastic total well above the high estimate and with every lot finding a buyer. These are the artists of our generation and it was thrilling to see new benchmarks set time and again. I was also delighted that Steve Wynn was the successful purchaser of Koons’ Popeye and that the work will be going on view at his casino in Las Vegas.”

    See posts on antiquesandartireland.com for April 13 and April 11, 2014.

    FURNITURE, SILVER, ART AND COLLECTIBLES AT FONSIE MEALY

    Thursday, May 15th, 2014
    A total of 793 lots of furniture, silver, jade, paintings, porcelain and collectible items come under the hammer at Fonsie Mealy’s auction in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny, on May 20.  The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection:

    Countess Edwina Mountbatten by Gaetano de Gennero (1890-1959) (2,000-3,000).

    Countess Edwina Mountbatten by Gaetano de Gennero (1890-1959) (2,000-3,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 2,000

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for May 7, 2014).

    A c1900 commode in the Louis XVI style stamped Millet on body and signed "Millet a Paris" on lock (4,000-6,000)

    A c1900 commode in the Louis XVI style stamped Millet on body and signed “Millet a Paris” on lock (4,000-6,000)  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 10,000

    A scale model by architect Benjamin Woodward of Dromore Castle gate lodge, Co. Kerry (3,000-4,000)

    A c1849 scale model by architect Benjamin Woodward of Dromore Castle gate lodge, Co. Kerry (3,000-4,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 3,200

    Albert Toft (1862-1949) - bronze bust Lord Kitchener (800-1,200)

    Albert Toft (1862-1949) – bronze bust Lord Kitchener (800-1,200)  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 800

    A 19th century gilded and enamel singing bird box stamped "Fabr.de Geneve" (1,500-2,000).

    A 19th century gilded and enamel singing bird box stamped “Fabr.de Geneve” (1,500-2,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 2,900

    Two 19th century wing back  armchairs by Butler of Dublin  estimated (l) 650-900 and (r) at 800-1,200.

    Two 19th century wing back armchairs by Butler of Dublin estimated (l) 650-900 and (r) at 800-1,200.  UPDATE: THESE MADE 1,500 EACH

    A Cork silver fish slice by Samuel Reily c1780 (1,800-2,500).

    A Cork silver fish slice by Samuel Reily c1780 (1,800-2,500) UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 1,600.

     

    IRISH ART ONLINE AUCTION AT MORGAN O’DRISCOLL

    Wednesday, May 14th, 2014

    An online art auction with 297 lots by Morgan O’Driscoll is underway. It runs until Monday May 19 at 7 p.m.   The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection.

    Nancy Wynne-Jones (1922-2006) Farm with Vineyard  (600-900)

    Nancy Wynne-Jones (1922-2006)
    Farm with Vineyard (600-900)  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

     

    Yvonne Moore (b.1969) Still Life Jug and Vase  (400-600).

    Yvonne Moore (b.1969)
    Still Life Jug and Vase (400-600).  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 280

     

    John Faulkner RHA (1835-1894) Near Cape Clear  (3,000-5,000)

    John Faulkner RHA (1835-1894)
    Near Cape Clear (3,000-5,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 2,800

     

    Sir Frederick William Burton RHA (1816-1900) Study of a Gentleman

    Sir Frederick William Burton RHA (1816-1900)
    Study of a Gentleman (800-1,200)  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 340

     

     

    19th CENTURY SNUFF BOX SELLS FOR $842,408

    Wednesday, May 14th, 2014
    This 19th century gold and enamel automaton snuff box sold for US$802,408.

    This 19th century gold and enamel automaton snuff box sold for US$802,408.

    A rare 19th century gold and enamel snuff box was the top lot at Sotheby’s auction of important watches in Geneva.  The masterpiece of Swiss horology – a three compartment box with a concealed timepiece and musical automaton – sold for US$842,408.  It was produced in the workshop of Piguet & Capt in Geneva c1801-04.  The right lid opens to reveal an automaton scene with a seated lady playing the harp and a gentleman tapping his food in beat to the music and moving his forearm. The figures stand beneath a bird jumping from a cage. The sale, for which around 550 watch connoisseurs from across the globe registered to bid, totaled US$11,386,142. There was a world auction record for a Panerai watch when a stainless steel miitary divers wristwatch, Luminor c1955, sold for $478,002.  It was from the colleciton of the late Admiral Gino Birindelli, former commander of the Italian Navy.

    HIGHEST TOTAL IN ART MARKET HISTORY AT CHRISTIE’S LAST NIGHT

    Wednesday, May 14th, 2014
    Black Fire I by Barnett Newman made $84,165,000.

    Black Fire I by Barnett Newman made $84,165,000.

    THE $744,944,000 achieved at Christie’s evening sale of Post-War and Contemporary Art in New York on May 13 represents the highest total in art market history. The top lot was Black Fire I, a sublime Abstract Expressionist masterpiece by Barnett Newman (1905-1970). It sold for $84,165,000, doubling the previous record for the artist. Francis Bacon’s Three Studies for a Portrait of John Edwards sold for $80,805,000.

    Two contemporary sales at Christies on May 12 and 13 achieved a combined total of $879,574,000 with a sell through rate of 98% by value and 95% by lot.  Bidders from 35 countries competed. With a wide range of examples from the collections of Edwin A. and Lindy Bergman, the Estate of Anita Reiner, Phillip Schrager, Frances R. Dittmer, and institutions such as the E.ON Art Collection in Düsseldorf, and The Art Institute of Chicago, collectors competed for works with the best quality and significant provenance. The two evening sales established 26 new world auction records, selling two works over $80million, four over $50million, 12 over $20 million, 19 over $10 million and 86 over $1 million. 80% of the lots were completely new to the auction market.

    Brett Gorvy, Chairman and International Head of Post-War and Contemporary Art said: “The sales so far this week have demonstrated the growing appetite for contemporary art across the global marketplace. From the highest number of visitors to our online space to the 12,500 people visiting our public exhibitions, from the volume of bidders in the sales themselves to the significant number of new artist records set, we are seeing unprecedented momentum in the market as the desire to connect with great art continues to grow.”

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for April 14, 2014).

    JACQUELINE KENNEDY’S LETTERS TO AN IRISH PRIEST AT DURROW AUCTION

    Tuesday, May 13th, 2014
    A selection of the letters and a photo of Mrs. Kennedy with Fr. Leonard in 1950.

    A selection of the letters and a photo of Mrs. Kennedy with Fr. Leonard in 1950. (Click on image to enlarge it).

    With Fr. Leonard at All Hallows in Dublin in 1950.

    With Fr. Leonard at All Hallows in Dublin in 1950.

    A cache of 33 letters written by Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy to Dublin based priest Fr. Joseph Leonard will be offered by Sheppards in Durrow, Co. Laois on June 10. The unpublished personal correspondence, in manuscript form and written between 1950 and 1964, cover events from her engagement to Senator Kennedy to his assassination in 1963. In them she expresses thoughts about her marriage, life in the White House and her reaction to his assassination.

    In her raw grief she wrote to Fr. Leonard: “I would rather have lost my life than lost Jack”.  She told Fr. Leonard that Kennedy was consumed by ambition “like “Macbeth” and described him as like her father in many ways – loves the chase and is bored with the conquest.
    Fr. Leonard, an All Hallows priest died in Dublin in 1964 aged 87. He became immediate friends with Jacqueline Bouvier when she and her stepbrother Hugh Dudley Auchincloss called on him during a visit to Dublin in 1950. They corresponded regularly after that.  They only met again once, in 1955, when Mrs. Kennedy travelled to Dublin with then Senator John F. Kennedy.
    Jacqueline Kennedy never wrote an autobiography.  But there is much material for a biography in these letters, which are likely to be published in book form by any purchaser. They are expected to sell for at least one million euro.  Sheppards announced today that they will also be offering 21 lots of Jacqueline Kennedy associated correspondence and photographs including correspondence from the White House signed by Mrs. Kennedy and the President.  Estimates will range from 400 to 1.2 million.  The letters are being sold by All Hallows College, Dublin, which says it does not have the resources to curate them and that they will be a valuable addition to the Kennedy archive.  Some of the letters written by Fr. Leonard to Mrs. Kennedy  are in the White House “social files”  at the JFK Presidential Library in Boston.
    UPDATE:  The cancellation of  the sale was announced on May 21.  The directors of All Hallows are in discussions with the Kennedy family on how best to curate and preserve this valuable archive.
    A statement said: Sheppard’s Irish Auction House was today informed by the vendor that the archive of letters from Jackie Kennedy to Father Joseph Leonard was being withdrawn from auction. Sheppard’s is in the process of returning the archive, and items related to the archive, which had been consigned to the auction, to the vendor.