Nearly every auction springs some surprises and Mealy’s mid summer sale of 600 lots in Castlecomer this week was no exception. The top lot was the magnificent Donegal Carpet commissioned half a century ago for New Ireland Assurance in Dublin which sold for 18,000 at hammer. No surprises here. More surprising was the 5,250 hammer price for a bronze figure of Michael Collins in uniform by J. Flynn. Just under 28″ tall it had been estimated at 1,500-2,500. Lot 277, an unusual Famille Rose wall pocket in the shape of a vase – estimated at 200-300 – sold for 4,600 on the hammer and lot 601, a Doulton stoneware oil lamp with an estimate of 250-350 made 1,955 on the hammer. The auction was 71% sold and brought in 205,000 on the hammer. One major lot which failed to fine a buyer, a 19th century Irish granite fountain, is likely to be sold privately.
(See posts on antiquesandartireland.com for July 11 and July 8, 2015).
This bronze of Michael Collins by J. Flynn sold for 5,250 over an estimate of 1,500-2,500.
An unusual Doulton stoneware oil lamp made 1,955 at hammer.
This Famille Rose wall pocket sold for 4,600.