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  • Archive for July, 2016

    RICHTER – DE KOONING FROM AMES COLLECTION AT SOTHEBY’S NEW YORK

    Sunday, July 31st, 2016

    Sotheby’s New York autumn season will be led by “The Triumph of Painting: The Steven and Ann Ames Collection”. The landmark collection, assembled by the New York patrons of the arts, philanthropists and collectors, tells the story of painting over the past 50 years through masterpieces by Robert Ryman, Georg Baselitz, Willem de Kooning, Anselm Kiefer, Gerhard Richter, Philip Guston and others. Overall, the works are estimated to fetch in excess of $100 million in sales of Contemporary Art on November 17 bd 18,

    At the core of the collection are outstanding works by two giants of 20th-century painting: Gerhard Richter and Willem de Kooning. Richter was one of the first painters to spark the couple’s interest after they fell in love with his work in the 1980s; indeed Steven wrote his thesis on the artist to earn his Master’s degree in Art History at Columbia University. The evening auction on  November 17 will include Richter canvases from every major period of his career covering his full exploration of the medium – abstract, landscape, portraiture, conceptual and more. Robert Ryman and others then entered the collection before the Ames’s sought out paintings by Willem de Kooning, seeking to connect the legacies of these different artists and bridge the stylistic gaps between them.

    UPDATE: THE AMES COLLECTION PART 1 BROUGHT IN $122.8 MILLION

    Gerhard Richter A.B., St. James 1988 ($20.30 million)

    Gerhard Richter A.B., St. James 1988 ($20.30 million)  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR $22.7 MILLION

    Gerhard Richter A.B., Still 1986 ($20-30 million)

    Gerhard Richter A.B., Still 1986 ($20-30 million) UPDATE: THIS MADE $33.9 MILLION

    ANTIQUE FURNITURE AT HEGARTY’S BANDON SALE

    Saturday, July 30th, 2016
    A selection of antique furniture is on offer at Hegarty’s in Bandon on August 2 at 7 pm. Irish lots include a three door library bookcase with astragal glazed doors (3,000-4,000); an 18th century serving table (4,000-6,000) and a c1790 gilt wood pier mirror (2,000-4,000).

    A 19th century rosewood inlaid bombe shaped commode is estimated at 1,000-1,200 and a Regency card table is estimated at  1,800-2,200.   Art on offer includes a watercolour by the British artist Henry John Yeend King (1855-1924), a mixed media work by Arthur Maderson and an unsigned work by Declan O’Connor.  More than 300 lots will come under the hammer.  The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection:

    Henry John Yeend King, "The Path by The River, Watercolour

    Henry John Yeend King, “The Path by The River, Watercolour  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 650

    19th Century inlaid, bombé commode

    19th Century inlaid, bombé commode  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 1,800

    Rosewood, Late 19th Century Fold Over Card Table

    Rosewood, Late 19th Century Fold Over Card Table UPDATE: THIS MADE 750

    Irish three door library bookcase

    Irish three door library bookcase UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD BUT IS UNDER OFFER

    A BANK HOLIDAY AUCTION IN CONNEMARA

    Friday, July 29th, 2016

    The annual summer auction of arts and antiques by Dolan’s is on view this Bank Holiday weekend in a marquee in the Connemara village of Ballyconneely.  The auction of 600 lots is over two days on August 1 and 2.  A highlight is Window Sill by William John Leech RHA, a view through the diamond paned mullioned window at Candy Cottage, the artist’s home.

    There are important works by Sean Keating, Louis le Brocquy, Kenneth Webb, Tony O’Malley, Robert Taylor Carson, Mark O’Neill, Markey Robinson, Thomas Ryan, Richard Kingston, Eileen Meagher and Arthur Maderson.   The sale features antiques and collectibles, silver, books and rugs.

    William John Leech RHA - Window Sill.

    William John Leech RHA – Window Sill. UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 25,500

    Carina Scott - Manhattan Skyline.

    Carina Scott – Manhattan Skyline.  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 1,600

    COMBERMERE ABBEY WINS RESTORATION AWARD

    Thursday, July 28th, 2016
    Combermere Library restored.

    Combermere Library restored.

    Combermere Abbey in Shropshire has won the 2016 Restoration Award presented by the Historic Houses Association (HHA) and sponsored by Sotheby’s. The house, owned by the Callander Beckett family since 1919,  had suffered severe deterioration over a number of years. The Award is for the most recent restoration of the North Wing and in recognition of the 24-year project to bring the whole house back to life.  Combermere Abbey sits at the heart of 1,000 acres of farmland, woodland and park, with a 150-acre lake curving around the house. The origins date to the 1130’s. The 900-year history has encompassed Royal purchase, the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the impact of the Civil War, stately visits in the 18th century and extensive remodelling in the early 19th century. The 19th century render had caused extensive dry rot. In 1957 when Penelope Callander, later Lady Lindsay, inherited the house it was in such poor condition that permission was sought to demolish much of the building. Thankfully this plan was rejected and the process of trying to save Combermere began.

    Firstly, the stable block was converted to create nine holiday cottages. Later the Library, formerly the Abbot’s Hall, was restored and brought back to its former magnificence complete with family heraldry and portraits, supported by grants from the Heritage Conservation Trust and English Heritage.  The final stage of the restoration has taken place in the north wing. This will provide luxurious boutique bedrooms with sitting and dining rooms, as well as bridal accommodation. Ancillary buildings have also been restored, including a Grade II* game larder which is thought to date from the 19th century with a grant from the Country Houses Foundation.

    The Historic Houses Association/Sotheby’s Restoration Award recognises and celebrates the work being undertaken by Members of the HHA throughout the United Kingdom. These projects reflect the dedication of owners to the care and sympathetic restoration of the incredible buildings that they own, inhabit and share with the public.  This year the judges commended three properties alongside the winner: Crichel House, Dorset for the restoration of the Wyatt State Rooms; Hedingham Castle, Essex for the restoration of the Norman Keep and Penicuik House, Midlothian for the consolidation of the remains of this 18th century house.

    Combermere Abbey

    Combermere Abbey – before.

    Combermere Abbey

    Combermere Abbey – after.

     

    VINTAGE SIGNS AT CORK AUCTION

    Wednesday, July 27th, 2016

    A collection of vintage, pub memorabilia and enamel signs from the collection of Malcolm Whitehead of West Cork will be included in the sale at  Cork Auction Rooms on July 31.  Around 300 lots from the collection, formed over a period of 50 years, will come under the hammer. Here are some examples of the collection in situ before being moved to the auction rooms:  UPDATE: THESE vintage lots were all sold and enamel signs sold for various prices of from 300-400 each.collection4collection3collection1collection2

    A TWO DAY SUMMER SALE BY DOLAN’S IN CONNEMARA

    Monday, July 25th, 2016

    The two day Connemara art and antiques auction by Dolan’s in Ballyconneely on August 1 and 2 is sure to be a crowd puller. There is an across the board selection of Irish art as well as antique furniture, collectibles, silver and rugs among around 500 lots on offer.  The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection:

    Tony O'Malley - The Studio, New Ross, 1959

    Tony O’Malley – The Studio, New Ross, 1959

    Robert Taylor Carson - Lobster Man

    Robert Taylor Carson – Lobster Man  UPDATE: THIS MADE 7,250

    Sean Keating - An Fear an Oilean

    Sean Keating – An Fear an Oilean

    John Schwatschke - Morning at Heuston

    John Schwatschke – Morning at Heuston

    ART FROM ANTARCTIC RESIDENCY ON SHOW IN SKIBBEREEN

    Sunday, July 24th, 2016

    A solo show of painting, sculpture and print by Irish/English/Australian artist John Kelly has just opened at Uillinn, the gallery at the West Cork Arts Centre in Skibbereen.  It includes the large group of paintings he produced  during a residence in Antartica on the icebreaker Aurora Australis in 2013.  The show runs to August 31.

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for June 29, 2016)

    John Kelly Sunset over west Arm

    John Kelly
    Sunset over west Arm

    Helicopter Recee 3/11/2013, an Antartica work by John Kell

    Helicopter Recee 3/11/2013, an Antartica work by John Kell

    BRONZE ORMOLU EWERS CREATE MUCH INTEREST AT LYNES AND LYNES

    Friday, July 22nd, 2016
    Antique bronze and ormolu ewers

    Antique bronze and ormolu ewers.  UPDATE: THEY SOLD FOR 230

    This pair of antique bronze ormolu ewers has created quite a stir at Lynes  and Lynes in Cork.  They are due up at auction at a house sale in Glounthaune, Co. Cork on July 23.  Lot 110 is estimated at just 200-300, but it has around considerable interest.

    This is a small house contents auction on the premises at The Highlands, Glounthaune, Co. Cork for the estate of the late Peter Rota. It comprises antique and decorative furniture, rugs, collectible porcelain and glass, mirrors, clocks and household effects.  The catalogue is online.

    BLACKSHAW, WEBB, SCULLY, BEWICK

    Wednesday, July 20th, 2016

    From Basil Blackshaw and Kenneth Webb to Sean Scully and Pauline Bewick there is much to choose from at Morgan O’Driscoll’s current online Irish art auction.  There are 206 lots in the catalogue and bidding ends on August 2.  The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection:

    Basil Blackshaw HRHA RUA (1932-2016) Cockeral mixed media on card (2,000-3,000)

    Basil Blackshaw HRHA RUA (1932-2016)
    Cockeral
    mixed media on card (2,000-3,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 2,000 AT HAMMER

    Kenneth Webb RWA FRSA RUA (b.1927) Wild Meadow oil on canvas (4,000-6,000)

    Kenneth Webb RWA FRSA RUA (b.1927)
    Wild Meadow
    oil on canvas (4,000-6,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 4,800 AT HAMMER

    Pauline Bewick RHA (b.1935) White Cow & Caragh Lake (1983) watercolour (5,000-7,000)

    Pauline Bewick RHA (b.1935)
    White Cow & Caragh Lake (1983)
    watercolour (5,000-7,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 5,000 AT HAMMER

    Sean Scully (b.1945) Red Fold (2006) limited edition lithograph signed & numbered 26/50 signed lower right & dated '06 (3,000-4,000)

    Sean Scully (b.1945)
    Red Fold (2006)
    limited edition lithograph signed & numbered 26/50
    signed lower right & dated ’06 (3,000-4,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 2,800 AT HAMMER

    SOTHEBY’S ASIA BEATS EXPECTATIONS IN FIRST HALF OF 2016

    Wednesday, July 20th, 2016
    Zhang Daqian's Peach Blossom Spring.

    Zhang Daqian’s Peach Blossom Spring.

    Half year sales at Sotheby’s Asia are up 22% to US$461.5 million.   The results for the first six months of 2016 defied markets and beat expectations. More than 80% of lots sold achieved prices at or above their mid estimate. Three artworks sold for prices above HK$100 million, capped by Zhang Daqian’s Peach Blossom Spring which sold after a 50 minute bidding battle for H$270.68 million or US$34.9 million.

    There was particularly strong bidding from throughout Asia, including mainland Chinese collectors, though bidders registered from 65 countries around the globe.  Asian private collectors dominated Sotheby’s jewellery sales in Hong Kong.  The client base continued to expand and 23% of buyers were new to Sotheby’s.  It was also noted that the interest of Asian collectors in Western art continued to deepen.

    Kevin Ching, Chief Executive Officer of Sotheby’s Asia said: ‘We are delighted by the exceptional half year results that reached 22% over last year.  After more than four decades in Asia, Sotheby’s maintains an unrivalled ability to source the finest and rarest objects from notable collections around the world – a critical element to our success.  Longstanding relationships with seasoned collectors worldwide led to a number of important consignments – from the Pilkington Collection of Chinese ceramics, to Zhang Daqian’s Peach Blossom Spring, to the Mi Yun Hall Collection of Classical Chinese Paintings – that drove remarkable results across collecting categories.

    ‘We are further encouraged by the growing presence of Asian collectors in our worldwide salerooms, where they are pushing the market forward – evidenced by their active participation in recent major sales of Contemporary Art in New York and London, among so many others”.

    Sotheby’s worldwide have year results are due to be announced in early August.