THE opening day of the sale of contents from Howth Castle exceeded all expectations. There has been huge international interest in an auction of contents from a home that has been in the same family for 800 years. Again and again prime lots far exceeded the top estimate. Late in the day a pair of early 18th century Delft vases sold for 38,000 at hammer, 38 times the top estimate of 1,000. A pair of c1738 Irish carved giltwood and gesso side tables made 168,000 over a top estimate of 50,000.
An important mid 18th century Irish decanter stand sold for a hammer price of 48,000 at Fonsie Mealy’s sale. As was the case with many lots this was after a battle between a telephone bidder, probably Irish, and an internet bidder from the UK. It went to the internet. Regarded as one of the finest examples of early Irish furniture it had been estimated at 20,000-30,000. A set of prehistoric Giant Irish Elk antlers and skull made 23,000 on the hammer over a top estimate of 18,000. The Georgian mahogany dining table on two quadruple centre pods and two outer tripod bases made 29,000 at hammer and the full length portrait of Jonathan Swift by Francis Bindon made a hammer price of 234,000 which was less than the estimate of 300,000-500,000. The good news is that an Irish bidder fought off international competition and this painting will be staying in Ireland.
A Louis XVI French ormolu mantel clock by Regnault of Paris with two matching candlesticks – a gift from Marie Antoinette to her lady in waiting Marie Therese de Barmont – made 28,000 at hammer. It had been estimated at 4,000-6,000. An allegorical 18th century Irish School relief depicting the taking in 1575 of Lord Howth’s grandson and heir to the castle by Grace O’Malley, Ireland’s pirate queen, made 25,000 at hammer over a top estimate of 12,000. After protracted negotiations the child was returned and one condition was that the gates of Howth should never again be shut at dinner time.
The sale continues on September 9.
(See posts on antiquesandartireland.com for August 12, August 23, August 31 and September 4, 2021)