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  • Archive for April, 2016

    A RODIN AT AUCTION FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER

    Thursday, April 21st, 2016
    Auguste Rodin - L’Éternel Printemps

    Auguste Rodin – L’Éternel Printemps  UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR $20.4 MILLION, A NEW RECORD

    A rare marble of one of Rodin’s most celebrated forms comes up at Sotheby’s evening sale of Impressionist and Modern Art in New York on May 9.  L’Éternel Printemps ranks among his most skillful renderings of embracing lovers. Conceived in 1884 and carved in 1901-02 from a single block of marble it is estimated at  $8-12 million. This sculpture is believed to be the fifth of ten known uniquely finished carvings of the subject in marble, and this is the first time it has come to auction. It was singled out in Frederick Lawton’s 1906 biography on the artist as the most magnificent of the series.  A Rodin marble of this subject has not appeared on the market in over two decades. 

    This marble was commissioned by the German diplomat Hellmuth Baron Lucius von Stoedten (1869-1934). Baron von Stoedten, who lived between Berlin and Paris, was a close friend of the poet Rainer Maria Rilke, who played a seminal role between artist and patron in the commission of this marble. Rilke was famously inspired by Rodin’s sculptures and wrote a series of poems in their tribute. The friendship between these three great minds of the late nineteenth century tells an intriguing story behind this carving of L’Éternel Printemps Other marbles from this series belong in the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest (1901); the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg (1906); The Museum of Decorative Arts, Buenos Aires (1907); the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (1906-07) and the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen (1907-1910).

    CLASSIC 20TH CENTURY DESIGN AT DE VERES

    Thursday, April 21st, 2016

    The sale of classic 20th century design & contemporary furniture at de Veres in Dublin on the evening of April 25 will feature Danish and Italian pieces from the 1950’s and ’60’s.  It includes work by makers Arne Jacobsen and Gianfranco Frattini.  A set of six c1925 Art Deco dining chairs by Gaetano Borsani is estimated at 3,000-5,000. Sculpture on offer includes work by F.E. MacWilliam and art includes work by Felim Egan, Pauline Bewick, Richard Gorman and Makiko Nakamura.  The venue for the sale is the Royal College of Physicians on Kildare Street and viewing takes place at de Veres at 35 Kildare St.  The catalogue with 159 lots is online.

    A 1960's Italian rosewood sideboard by Gianfranco Frattini (2,000-4,000)

    A 1960’s Italian rosewood sideboard by Gianfranco Frattini (2,000-4,000)  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 2,000 AT HAMMER

    One of a set of six Model 7 chairs by Arne Jacobsen (1,000-2,000)

    One of a set of six Model 7 chairs by Arne Jacobsen (1,000-2,000)  UPDATE: THE SET SOLD FOR 1,200 AT HAMMER

    AN AUCTION ENTIRELY DEDICATED TO CHATEAU PALMER

    Wednesday, April 20th, 2016

    The first-ever wine auction entirely dedicated to Château Palmer takes place at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong on June 4. .The sale, titled Château Palmer Direct from the Château and the Cellars of Maison Mähler-Besse & Franck Mähler-Besse, will mark the auction debut of a 225-litre barrel of Château Palmer 2015, a vintage that has not yet been released. The winning bidder will have the opportunity to choose bottle sizes and the chance to have their name printed on the back label. The barrel equates to 25 cases or 300 regular size (0.75L) bottles. The estimate is HK500,000-700,000 / US$65,00-90,000 / £45,000-63,500.

    The sale represents a historic journey through time going back to 1928 and spanning 87 years through to 2015. The total estimate for the 220 lots is HK7.7-12.4 million / US$980,000-1.6 million / £700,000-1.1 million. The estate of Château Palmer was established in 1814, when it was acquired by Charles Palmer, a British Major General who instilled his namesake to see it become renowned throughout London’s aristocratic circles. Château Palmer was ranked among the most prestigious classified growths of the 1855 Bordeaux classification, which stands as the most important and famous classification of any wine region in the world. In 1938, a consortium of four leading families in the Bordeaux wine trade acquired the estate.

    The 225 litre barrel of Chateau Palmer 2015

    The 225 litre barrel of Chateau Palmer 2015

    Chateau Palmer 1959

    Chateau Palmer 1959

    JANE AUSTEN, BRAM STOKER, OSCAR WILDE 1ST EDITIONS

    Wednesday, April 20th, 2016
    1st edition, 1813, Pride and Prejudice: A Novel in three volumes.

    1st edition, 1813, Pride and Prejudice: A Novel in three volumes.

    Jane Austen, Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde will all feature at Peter Harrington’s stand at the Paris Antiquarian Book Fair from April 22-24 at the Nef du Grand Palais. The Paris Fair, one of the most prestigious of its kind, offers  its ever increasing number of visitors a panorama of the highlights of our written heritage, together with a vast selection of engravings and drawings.

    Nearly two hundred national and international dealers will attend to unveil thousands of exceptional documents, representative of cultural history.

    Among the books at London dealer Peter Harrington is a 1st edition of Pride and Prejudice 1813 priced at £87,500, a 1st edition of Bran Stoker’s Dracula 1897 priced at £17,500 and and a trade issue 1st edition of Oscar Wilde’s Salome 1893 priced at £27,500.

    MONET, PICASSO, MODIGLIANI, KAHLO AT CHRISTIE’S IN MAY

    Tuesday, April 19th, 2016

    An exceptional selection of 52 works will feature at Christie’s Impressionist and Modern Art evening sale in New York on May 12. Led by outstanding paintings by Monet, Picasso, and Modigliani, many of which have not been on the market for decades, the sale will feature several estates and private collections including The H.O. Havemeyer Collection, The Collection of Kenneth and Susan Kaiserman, The Ducommun Family Collection, and A Distinguished American Collection offering Frida Kahlo’s dream like love scene of Dos Desnudos en el bosque.

    Brooke Lampley, Christie’s Head of Impressionist and Modern Art, New York,  remarked: “This season we tailored our sale to meet current collector demand for iconic examples from the most celebrated artists of the period. The two Monets, Modigliani portrait, Picasso mousquetaire and Braque still life are all of unmatched quality and come with distinguished provenance.”

    Claude Monet (1840-1926) Le bassin aux nymphéas ($25-35 million). Courtesy Christie's Images Ltd., 2016

    Claude Monet (1840-1926)
    Le bassin aux nymphéas ($25-35 million). Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2016  UPDATE: SOLD FOR $27,045,000

    Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Homme assis ($12-18 million). Courtesy Christie's Images Ltd, 2016

    Pablo Picasso (1881-1973)
    Homme assis ($12-18 million). Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd, 2016  UPDATE: SOLD FOR $8,005,000

    Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1920) Jeune femme à la rose (Margherita) Courtesy Christie's Images Ltd., 2016. ($12-18 million)

    Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1920)
    Jeune femme à la rose (Margherita) Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2016. ($12-18 million)  UPDATE: SOLD FOR $12,765,000

    Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) Dos desnudos en el bosque (La tierra misma) ($8-12 million). Courtesy Christie's Images Ltd., 2016.

    Frida Kahlo (1907-1954)
    Dos desnudos en el bosque (La tierra misma) ($8-12 million). Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2016. UPDATE: SOLD FOR $8,005,000, A WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR ANY LATIN AMERICAN ARTIST

    GREAT IRISH INTERIORS AT SHEPPARDS IN DURROW

    Monday, April 18th, 2016

    The Great Irish Interiors sale at Sheppards in Durrow, Co. Laois on April 26-27 features a wide variety across numerous collecting categories among more than 1,000 lots. There is Irish and European art, Persian rugs, antique furniture, European and Oriental porcelain and a wide variety of collectibles.  The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection:

    Coalport parcel gilt and painted dinner service (20 pieces) (1,800-2,400)

    Coalport parcel gilt and painted dinner service (20 pieces) (1,800-2,400)

    Henry Herbert la Thangue (1859-1929) -Cannara Mountains (8,000-12,000)

    Henry Herbert la Thangue (1859-1929) -Cannara Mountains (8,000-12,000)

    William Shayer (1787-1879) - A bustling town (6,000-9,000)

    William Shayer (1787-1879) – A bustling town (6,000-9,000)

    Regency period steps (600-800)

    Regency period steps (600-800)

    A Dublin 19th century Adam side table (3,000-5,000)

    A Dublin 19th century Adam side table (3,000-5,000)

    A pair of large 19th century ormolu mounted Sevres urns.

    A pair of large 19th century ormolu mounted Sevres urns.

    THE CENTENARY AUCTION BY FONSIE MEALY IN DUBLIN

    Sunday, April 17th, 2016

    The Centenary Auction by Fonsie Mealy at the Gresham Hotel in Dublin on Saturday April 23 will take place on the 100th anniversary of Easter Sunday, 1916. The Easter Rising, centred diagonally across the road at the GPO, looms large in this auction of 642 lots. The original copy of the 1916 Proclamation in the auction is by tradition reputed to be a copy which hung in the GPO during the rising.  Guaranteed provenance leads to  Dr. James Ryan, medical officer at the GPO who subsequently became a TD, served as Fianna Fail Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Finance and founded the New Ireland Assurance Company.

    Among many items of interest is a collection of letters, photographs and memorabilia of Captain Percival Lea-Wilson, Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and his wife Dr Marie Lea-Wilson. Captain Lea-Wilson was known for the abuse and humiliation of Republican prisoners at the Rotunda Gardens. He was subsequently assassinated on the orders of Michael Collins. His widow is famous for presenting an Old Master painting to the Jesuits, later identified as by Caravaggio and now in the National Gallery of Ireland. Items relating to the rebellion of 1798 and the Fenian Rising will also feature. The catalogue is online.

    (See posts on antiquesandartireland.com for April 4 and February 8, 2016)

    The Lea-Wilson collection (4,500-6,500)

    The Lea-Wilson collection (4,500-6,500)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 7,000

    The GPO copy of the Porclamation (100,000-150,000)

    The GPO copy of the Proclamation (100,000-150,000)  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 150,000 AND WAS THE TOP LOT OF THE AUCTION

    A Bloody Sunday 1st anniversary tournament gold medal 1921 (6,500-7,000)

    A Bloody Sunday 1st anniversary tournament gold medal 1921 (6,500-7,000)  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    An Irish Volunteers uniform worn by Thomas J. Byrne (3,500-5,000)

    An Irish Volunteers uniform worn by Thomas J. Byrne (3,500-5,000)  UPDATE: THJIS MADE 6,400 AT HAMMER

    A Victorian brass street lantern from O'Connell St. with a bullet hole (300-500)

    A Victorian brass street lantern from O’Connell St. with a bullet hole (300-500)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,200 AT HAMMER

    NEW FUND TO SUPPORT CONTEMPORARY ART IN IRELAND

    Sunday, April 17th, 2016
    Dorothy Cross, Parachute, 2005, Dimensions variable, Parachute and gannet, Collection IMMA, Purchase 2005

    Dorothy Cross, Parachute, 2005, Dimensions variable, Parachute and gannet, Collection IMMA, Purchase 2005

    A new fund designed to support the future of contemporary art in Ireland  has just been launched by IMMA, the Irish Musem of Modern Art.  The private fundraising initiative is a reaction to the devastating cuts experienced by the arts sector in recent years.  Initially IMMA 1000 is to be a three year fundraising programme from 2016–2018. The fund launches with 60,000 which IMMA plans to double in year one through donations of 1,000 each from 60 individuals.

    IMMA Director Sarah Glennie said; “IMMA 1000 is a new fund specifically created to support our work with Irish artists in the drastically altered social and economic environment we find ourselves in today. Severe cuts in arts funding since 2008 have had a devastating effect on supports available directly to contemporary artists, and as a result artists simply cannot afford to live and work in Ireland, creating a huge concern for the future of Irish art, and contemporary Irish culture.”

    “Artists tell us about ourselves, they challenge us; they create space for difference, debate and imagination. Their voice is an essential part of a vibrant and dynamic society and it is essential that we value artists and create a sustainable base for them in Ireland. With IMMA 1000 we want to create a support infrastructure for working Irish artists today, securing the ecosystem for the future.”

    The fund will help support artists to live and work in Ireland through bursaries and the IMMA residency programme; support artists’ income through commissions and exhibition and support the work of artists through purchase for the IMMA collection. IMMA has been supported in this initiative by Goodbody Stockbrokers.

    CONTENTS FROM CASHEL PALACE HOTEL TO BE AUCTIONED

    Saturday, April 16th, 2016
    Cashel Palace

    Cashel Palace

    Around 1,000 lots from Cashel Palace Hotel are to be sold on the premises by Doneraile based auctioneer Aidan Foley over two days on April 26 and 27.  This is to facilitate an extensive re-furbishment of the hotel which is about to get underway.

    There will be some art and antique lots, bedroom and kitchen contents as well as pub signage and the entire furnishings of the basement buttery restaurant. Aidan Foley has previously auctioned contents from Ashford Castle and Adare Manor.  The catalogue is scheduled to go online from April 20.

    ART AND FURNITURE AT LYNES AND LYNES

    Saturday, April 16th, 2016

    A large wooded landscape attributed to the British artist Richard Wilson (1714-1782) and six Georgian Cork nine bar chairs are among the art and furniture lots at Lynes and Lynes in Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork on April 23.  Around 400 lots will come under the hammer.  The Wilson is estimated at 2,000-3,000, the chairs at 1,000-1,500.  Antique furniture includes a c1860 French kingwood bonheur du jour with porcelain plaques (1,000-1,500) and a large pine kitchen table (200-400).  There is a selection of dining room, drawing room and bedroom furniture.  The selection of 40 lots of books includes a number of other original editions. There is a framed Cork jersey and hurley signed by the All Ireland champions of 1999. Other lots include a pair of Irish Georgian berry spoons by Samuel Neville Dublin 1814 (80-150), a Waterford Crystal nine branch chandelier (600-1,000) and a club fender.

    A large wooded landscape with figures in a river attributed to Richard Wilson, (1714-1782)

    A large wooded landscape with figures in a river attributed to Richard Wilson, (1714-1782)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 2,500 AT HAMMER

    A set of six Georgian Cork 9-bar chairs.

    A set of six Georgian Cork 9-bar chairs.  UPDATE: THESE SOLD FOR 1,000 AT HAMMER

    A c1860 French kingwood bonheur du jour

    A c1860 French kingwood bonheur du jour.  UPDATE: THIS WAS PASSED AT 750