antiquesandartireland.com

Information about Art, Antiques and Auctions in Ireland and around the world
  • ABOUT
  • About Des
  • Contact

    • Archive for February, 2015

    A RARE CORK SILVER FIND ON E-BAY

    Saturday, February 28th, 2015
    THE CORK GEORGIAN CUP BY JOHN WHITNEY.

    THE CORK GEORGIAN CUP BY JOHN WHITNEY.

    A rare Cork Georgian silver two handled cup bought on e-Bay for $850 is now on offer through Dublin and London based silver dealer L  and W Duvallier for a price in the region of £7,500 sterling. William Crofton of L and W Duvallier said that this is the rarest piece he found on eBay in 15 years of searches.

    THE MAKERS MARK ON THE BASE.

    THE MAKERS MARK ON THE BASE.

    The Cork Georgian cup has been in an American private collection for the past 40 years. According to Mr. Crofton it deserves to be in any of the top private or institutional collections in the world. The large cup has a later band of chasing to the top half.

    It was made by John Whitney, whose name is practically unknown to collectors of Irish Provincial Silver. Whitney is mentioned in Sir Charles Jackson’s classic 1905 reference work on antique silver marks. According to Jackson he had an 18 year working life in Cork from 1770 to 1788.  This is not a timespan to produce a lot of pieces, and work by Whitney is more or less unknown to collectors.

    Mr. Crofton is offering the piece warts and all rather than get involved in the de-chasing process. It is described on his website as an exceptionally rare Cork George III large later chased cup by John Whitney.

    Posted in COLLECTIBLES | Comments Off on A RARE CORK SILVER FIND ON E-BAY

    WHYTE’S TO HOLD FIRST ONLINE ART AUCTION ON MARCH 11

    Saturday, February 28th, 2015

    THE leading Irish auction house Whyte’s will hold their first ever online art auction on March 11.  A total of 148 lots are on offer, with estimates from 50 euro up.  Much of the art is available at very reasonable estimates. Whyte’s report that in latter sales up to 25% of lots have been bought by people bidding online.  The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection from what is on offer.

    ANDY WARHOL - ARETHA FRANKLIN AND KEITH RICHARDS c1986 screenprint (2,000-3,000).

    ANDY WARHOL – ARETHA FRANKLIN AND KEITH RICHARDS c1986 screenprint (2,000-3,000).  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 3,800

    Joop Smits - Summer Bouquet (300-400).

    Joop Smits – Summer Bouquet (300-400).UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 220

    Helen Lillias Mitchell - Lilian Davidson's Toby Jug, 1936 (200-300).

    Helen Lillias Mitchell – Lilian Davidson’s Toby Jug, 1936 (200-300).  UPDATE:  THIS SOLD FOR 180

    Walter Verling - Mountain Scene, Connemara (500-700).

    Walter Verling – Mountain Scene, Connemara (500-700).  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 500

    JANE O'MALLEY - TREVAYLOR WOODS, CORNWALL (150-250).

    JANE O’MALLEY – TREVAYLOR WOODS, CORNWALL (150-250).  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    Posted in ART | Comments Off on WHYTE’S TO HOLD FIRST ONLINE ART AUCTION ON MARCH 11

    BANKSY IN GAZA WITH PLENTY TO SAY

    Saturday, February 28th, 2015

    THE graffiti artist Banksy has visited Gaza and has plenty to say about it through his art.  He has released a online video – it amounts to a power political and artistic statement – about the current situation in the Gaza Strip.  The anonymous artist travelled to Palestine and the video apparently shows him in the smuggling tunnels before getting to work on buildings ruined by the Israeli bombardment last July and August.  The murals include what seems to be the Greek goddess Niobe weeping in the doorway of a destroyed building.  A giant image of a cat playing with a ball of twisted metal speaks volumes about loss and lack.  Another images shows an Israeli watch tower with added playfulness.  Here is the video.

     

    Posted in ART | Comments Off on BANKSY IN GAZA WITH PLENTY TO SAY

    LANDMARK SERIES OF AUCTIONS OF ELLSWORTH COLLECTIONS

    Friday, February 27th, 2015

    A landmark five day series of auctions devoted to the collection of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth takes place at Christie’s New York from March 17-21. Six live auctions and a series of online sales are together expected to realise in excess of $35 million. All lots from what is considered to be one of the most important private collections of Asian Art ever to come to market will be sold without reserve. An online only sale will run from March 18-27.

    Robert Hatfield Ellsworth (1929-2014) was widely recognised throughout Asia and the Americas for his  ground breaking role in the study and appreciation of Asian art. UPDATE:  The complete collection of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth achieved $134 million.
    Two from a set of four Huanghuali horseshoe back armchairs, Ming Dynasty, 17th century. Courtesy Christie's Images Ltd., 2015.

    Two from a set of four Huanghuali horseshoe back armchairs, Ming Dynasty, 17th century. Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2015.  UPDATE: THESE SOLD FOR $9,685,000 – a world auction record for Huanghuali furniture

    A large and important gilt bronze figure of Avalokiteshvara, Nepal, 13th century ($2-3 million) Courtesy, Christie's Images Ltd., 2015

    A large and important gilt bronze figure of Avalokiteshvara, Nepal, 13th century ($2-3 million) Courtesy, Christie’s Images Ltd., 2015 UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR $8,229,000 – A world auction record for a Nepalese sculpture.

    A rare Doucai ovoid jar China Yongzheng-Qianlong period ($5,000-8,000) Courtesy Christie's Images Ltd., 2015.

    A rare Doucai ovoid jar China Yongzheng-Qianlong period ($5,000-8,000) Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2015.

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for December 29, 2014).

    Posted in ART, AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES, FURNITURE | Comments Off on LANDMARK SERIES OF AUCTIONS OF ELLSWORTH COLLECTIONS

    GET YOUR VOUCHER HERE FOR TWO UPCOMING IRISH FAIRS

    Friday, February 27th, 2015
    hib voucherWith two big fairs coming up in Limerick and Dublin Hibernian Antique Fairs have decided to offer a discount entry to readers of antiquesandartireland.com Simply print the voucher illustrated here to avail of it. Click on the image to enlarge it first if you prefer.
    Around 100 dealers from all over the country will attend the National Antique Art and Vintage Fair at the South Court Hotel in Limerick on March 7 and 8. Organiser Robin O’Donnell says that collectors will find everything from a stamp to a sideboard.  Vintage is an emerging popular category and Alex Chamberlain will bring vintage LP’s, toys,  record players and gramophones.  The fair will feature antique furniture, jewellery and silver, vintage fashion, porcelain and glass, Irish art, books, coins and banknotes.
    This event will be followed two weeks later by The Irish Spring Antique and Fine Art Fair at Ballsbridge Hotel, Pembroke Road, Dublin 4 on March 20 and 21.  This is a new event, which replaces the annual Spring Antique Fair at the RDS.  The Ballsbridge Hotel, formerly Jury’s, has been completely refurbished and the fair will take place in the bright new conference centre.

    Posted in FAIRS | Comments Off on GET YOUR VOUCHER HERE FOR TWO UPCOMING IRISH FAIRS

    KING WILLIAM AND QUEEN MARY TO RETURN TO HOLLAND

    Thursday, February 26th, 2015
    Queen Mary and King William.

    Queen Mary and King William.

    The Gemeentemuseum in The Hague has acquired two Delft blue and white statues of King William and Queen Mary made around 1690 and displayed at The Winter Antiques Show in New York last month.

    They were brought to New York by Aronson Antiquaire of Amsterdam, which had re-united the couple last year in a coup described by Robert Aronson as the most exciting event of his 25 years in the antiques business.  The queen was found a year ago, the king surfaced last May in an auction house in France.  The story of how they were re-united has already been reported on this website.

    At the Winter Antiques Show the asking price was $950,000.  Benno Temple of the Gemeentemuseum refused to say the amount paid, but added that there had been a museum discount.  They will be displayed in a gallery devoted to Delft Wares at the Gemeentemuseum this spring.

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for January 22, 2015)

    Posted in Miscellaneous | Comments Off on KING WILLIAM AND QUEEN MARY TO RETURN TO HOLLAND

    NATIVE AMERICAN OUTFIT MAKES 320,000 AT IRISH AUCTION

    Wednesday, February 25th, 2015
    This native American outfit sold for 320,000 at hammer.

    This native American outfit sold for 320,000 at hammer.

    A native American outfit sold for a hammer price of 320,000 at Fonsie Mealy’s auction in Castlecomer today. It had been estimated at 4,000-6,000.  But this outfit – comprising hide poncho war shirt, matching leggings, headdress and purse – was in unusually good condition and had an interesting provenance.

    It is held by family tradition to have come to Ireland through the family of Reymond Hervey de Montmorency (1835-1902), a major general in the British Army who married Rachel Mary Lumley Godolphin Michel, daughter of Field Marshall Sir John Michel at Montreal in Canada in 1866.

    There was spirited bidding from two opposing US bidders in the room and an American bidder on the telephone. The telephone bidder eventually prevailed.  Mealy’s think that the outfit may eventually end up on public display in a museum, but no further details are as yet available.

    The auction was a huge success and brought in around 750,000.

     

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for February 17, 2015).

    Posted in AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES | Comments Off on NATIVE AMERICAN OUTFIT MAKES 320,000 AT IRISH AUCTION

    JADE BOWL MAKES TEN TIMES ITS ESTIMATE, TABLE CANISTER MAKES 41,000

    Wednesday, February 25th, 2015
    This small bowl on stand sold for 3,000 at hammer over an estimate of 200-300.

    This small bowl on stand sold for 3,000 at hammer over an estimate of 200-300.

    An unusual 19th century Chinese hardwood table spice carriage.

    An unusual 19th century Chinese hardwood table spice carriage sold for 41,000 at hammer.

    An unusual 19th century Chinese hardwood table spice carriage has just sold for a hammer price of 41,000 over an estimate of 700-1,000 at Fonsie Mealy. The upper tray has five shaped canisters with a carved gallery and frieze over two deep containers.  It is profusely decorated with jade, ivory, malachite and other semi precious stones and on four large carved pierced and brass inlaid wheels.

    A delicate jade translucent bowl, just three inches in diameter, sold for ten times its top estimate at Fonsie Mealy’s auction in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny today. It made 3,000 at hammer over a top estimate of 200-300.

    A small early 19th century carved table screen estimated at 1,200-1,800 sold for 26,000.  The sale is attracting lively bidding in the room, on the telephone, with commission bids and on the internet.

    A set of early George II forks, property of Dean Jonathan Swift sold for a hammer price of 3,800 over a top estimate of 3,000.  (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for February 20, 2015).

    Posted in AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES | Comments Off on JADE BOWL MAKES TEN TIMES ITS ESTIMATE, TABLE CANISTER MAKES 41,000

    ACCLAIMED IRISH ARTIST BRIAN MAGUIRE SHOWS IN NEW YORK

    Wednesday, February 25th, 2015

    The Mexican drug war is the subject of an exhibition by acclaimed Irish artist Brian Maguire at Fergus McCaffrey in New York from March 5 to April 21. Maguire has worked regularly in the Mexican city of Juarez – the murder capital of the world – since 2010.  More than 5,000 people have been butchered there by drug cartels over the past six years. The show – entitled The Absence of Justice Demands this Act – includes 14 large paintings completed between 2012 and 2014 that address the drug war.

    Founded in 2006 and based at 514 West 26th St. in Chelsea Fergus McCaffrey Gallery is internationally recognised for its ground breaking role promoting the work of post war Japanese artists and a quality roster of contemporary European and American artists. Fergus McCaffrey opened a second gallery in the Caribbean island of St. Barthelemy in 2014 and  the gallery’s third location opens in Tokyo this year. Brian Maguire has shown with the Kerlin Gallery in Dublin since 1990 and represented Ireland at the 1998 Sao Paolo Biennale.

    Brian Maguire Rifles (Juarez) 2014 copyright Brian Maguire, Courtesy Fergus McCaffrey.

    Brian Maguire Rifles (Juarez) 2014 copyright Brian Maguire, Courtesy Fergus McCaffrey.

    Brian Maguire Nature Morte (4) 2014 copyright Brian Maguire, Courtesy Fergus McCaffrey.

    Brian Maguire Nature Morte (4) 2014 copyright Brian Maguire, Courtesy Fergus McCaffrey.

    Posted in ART | Comments Off on ACCLAIMED IRISH ARTIST BRIAN MAGUIRE SHOWS IN NEW YORK

    HENRY LANDSCAPE THE TOP LOT AT WHYTE’S AUCTION

    Tuesday, February 24th, 2015
    Revolution, 1942 by Mary Swanzy (1882-1978) sold for a hammer price of 6,000.

    Revolution, 1942 by Mary Swanzy (1882-1978) sold for a hammer price of 6,000.

    A Connemara landscape by Paul Henry from the 1940’s was the top lot at Whyte’s sale of Irish and International art in Dublin last night. Estimated at 60,000-70,000 it sold for a hammer price of 68,000.  A screen print by Roy Lichtenstein – Still Life with Lobster – estimated at 12,000-15,000, sold for a hammer price of 21,000.  Over 90 per cent of works on offer found buyers.  Reading the News, an 1871 genre painting by the Co. Clare born painter Richard Staunton Cahill (1826-1904) sold for a hammer price of 14,000 over an estimate of 8,000-10,000. Crow Feathers by Tony O’Malley sold for a hammer of 9,500 over a top estimate of 8,000 and Revolution by Mary Swanzy estimated at 4,000-6,000 sold for 6,000 at hammer. A bronze sculpture by John Henry Foley (1818-1874) – Ino and Bacchus 1851 – with a top estimate of 4,000 made  a hammer price of 5,800.

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for February 14, 2015).

    Posted in ART, AUCTIONS | Comments Off on HENRY LANDSCAPE THE TOP LOT AT WHYTE’S AUCTION

    « Older Entries