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This Kesi Silk Woven Viridity Robe sold for 8,700.

A Qing Dynasty robe made more than ten times its lower estimate at the first day of the James Adam Country House collections auction at Slane Castle today.  The pale green ground 19th century Qing Dynasty kesi woven silk robe was estimated at 800-1,200 and sold at hammer for 8,700.

A large 19th century Chinese porcelain Monteith sold for 8,500 over a top estimate of 1,500, a pair of Victorian cast iron urns sold for 9,000 over an estimate of 3,000-4,000 and a pair of Coalbrookdale garden seats sold for 6,500..  Garden furniture attracted strong interest and many items went above estimate.    The first day of the sale brought in around 340,000 on the hammer.  The auction continues on October 13 with fine antique furniture, paintings, porcelain and some highly collectible lots.

A PAIR OF VICTORIAN BLACK PAINTED CAST IRON GARDEN URNS

A LARGE 19TH CENTURY CHINESE PORCELAIN MONTEITH OF OVAL BALUSTER FORM

The book of poems given by Dylan Thomas to Sam Hanna Bell.

An inscribed copy of 18 Poems presented by Dylan Thomas to the Northern Irish broadcaster and novelist, Sam Hanna Bell will be sold at Bonhams in London on November 12.  It comes up in a sale of Fine Books, Atlases, Manuscripts and Photographs and is estimated at £1,500-2,500. Born in Glasgow in 1909, Sam Hanna Bell moved to County Down at the age of seven following the death of his father.  By 1921 he was living in Belfast working as a manual labourer while trying to build a literary career.  In 1945 he was recruited to work for the BBC by the Irish poet Louis MacNeice who also recruited Bell’s fellow writer W.R. Rodgers. MacNeice was a close friend and drinking companion of Dylan Thomas and the four men were also connected by their association with the BBC Third Programme (now Radio Three).  18 Poems is inscribed “for Sam Hanna Bell from Dylan Thomas 1950”. Originally published in 1934, it was the poet’s first book and was reprinted in 1942.

Bell’s best known novel, December Bride was published in 1951 to great acclaim and is still highly regarded by readers and critics today. A film adaptation in 1990 won the novel new admirers. The main theme of Ulster rural life is echoed in Bell’s famous and innovative radio feature of 1949, An Ulster Journey, which used music, poetry and narration to paint a picture of the daily lives of ordinary people in the province.

Empress Eugenie’s Feuilles de Groseillier brooch courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2014.

Empress Eugenie by Franz Xaver Winterhalter, 1853 courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2014.

Empress Eugenie’s Feuilles de Groseillier brooch, which has not been seen at auction for over 125 years, comes up at Christie’s, Geneva on November 11. The brooch, part of one of the most beautiful parures of the 19^th century, was commissioned by Empress Eugenie to Bapst Jewellers in 1855. It is designed as a cluster of three openwork currant leaves centering upon a larger cushion-shaped diamond, suspending three detachable articulated pampilles, set throughout with old mine-cut diamonds. This jewel is a stunning example of the exceptional quality of the creations of Bapst Jewellers and is estimated at CHF 1,900,000-2,900,000 / $2,000,000-3,000,000.

In 1870 at the fall of the Second Empire Eugenie and her husband, Napoleon III, moved to England leaving most of the crown jewels behind.  In 1887 the French government conducted at 12 day auction of the jewels and all the belongings of the French Royal Family. Several of the larger pieces were broken up. The brooch was bought by Tiffany and Co., the largest buyer at the auction. Decades later it was gifted by New York’s Metropolitan Opera to  Madame Lucrezia Bori (1887-1960), the Spanish soprano who performed leading roles in 39 operas during 20 seasons at the Met.  She was the first performer elected to the Board of Directors.  She bequeathed the brooch to the Metropolitan Opera and it has been there since.