This view of Cork Harbour at sunset by George Mounsey Wheatley Atkinson is among the main lots at the James Adam Country House Collections sale at Townley Hall, Drogheda on October 15. The magnificent work depicts men-o-war at anchor with a paddle steamer in the distance and is estimated at 50,000-70,000. The principal vessel is a Royal Navy ship of the line, probably the HMS St. Vincent. The top lot in this auction of over 720 lots is a three pillar Irish George IV dining table by Williams and Gibton wth an estimate of 50,000-80,000. Lot 283 is a writing desk from the Coromandel coast of India with links to the Penrose family formerly of Woodhill House in Cork. In inlaid rosewood and raised on an Irish 18th century stand the top is decorated with ivory floral marquetry on an ebony ground. It is estimated at 7,000-10,000. A George III giltwood mirror after a design by William Kent is estimated at 15,000-20,000 and a large pair of Doucai enamelled lotus vases is estimated at 20,000-30,000. The auction offers Irish and English furniture, silver, paintings and numerous lots of decorative arts. The catalogue is online.
