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  • Archive for September, 2022

    A VOYSEY DONEGAL CARPET LEADS REILLY’S SALE

    Thursday, September 8th, 2022
    LILY OF THE VALLEY DONEGAL CARPET ATTRIBUTED TO C F A VOYSEY. UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    A Donegal carpet attributed to C F A Voysey, one of the most noteworthy designers of the Arts and Crafts Movement, is the most expensively estimated lot at an auction by Reilly’s Antiques of Prosperous, Co. Kildare on September 10. It is estimated at 3,400-3,700. The Donegal Carpet Factory was founded in 1898 by the Scottish textile manufacturer Alexander Morton. The work of the factory became world famous in the opening decades of the 20th century. Carpets were made on a 42′ wide hand knotting loom mainly by local women to designs by notable designers like Voysey. There are 418 lots of antique furniture and collectibles in the sale. The catalogue is online.

    RIJKSMUSEUM MAKES DISCOVERIES ABOUT THE MILKMAID BY VERMEER

    Thursday, September 8th, 2022
    The Milkmaid, Johannes Vermeer, c. 1660. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

    Advanced research technologies into the Vermeer painting The Milkmaid, conducted in the run-up to Rijksmuseum’s major Vermeer exhibition in 2023 has yielded several startling discoveries.  Advanced research technologies have brought to light two objects on Vermeer’s world-famous canvas:  a jug holder and a fire basket.  The artist himself later painted over the objects.  The most recent scans also uncovered what is clearly an underpainting. These discoveries offer revealing insights into Vermeer’s process and his search for capturing the tranquil atmosphere that characterises his work.

    The general assumption was that the artist produced his small oeuvre very slowly, and always worked with extreme precision.  This view is now being revised.  A hastily applied thick line of black paint can be seen beneath the milkmaid’s left arm.  This sketch shows clearly that Vermeer first quickly painted the scene in light and dark tones before developing the detail. A similar preliminary sketch in black paint can be seen on the wall behind the young woman’s head.  By comparing the results it has now become clear that Vermeer used black paint to sketch a jug holder and several jugs, but didn’t develop them any further.  The jug holder, a plank of wood with knobs attached, was used in 17th-century kitchens for hanging up multiple ceramic jugs by the handle.  A pantry in Vermeer’s own home contained a similar item. Scientists identified the previously discovered basket, at the lower right of the painting, as a so-called ‘fire basket’.  Woven from willow stems, or withies, this type of basket was a standard household item for young families.  A fire bowl containing glowing coals was placed in the basket to keep new-borns warm and to dry nappies. 

    Tickets for the Vermeer exhibition from February 10 – June 4 2023 go on sale today on the Rijksmuseum website: rijksmuseum.nl/Vermeer

    STARS UNITE TO GIVE PEACE IN UKRAINE A CHANCE

    Wednesday, September 7th, 2022
    Paul McCartney performs with a custom Gibson Guitars For Peace Les Paul Standard guitar in Syracuse. Photo credit: MJ Kim.

    Gibson, the iconic American-made instrument brand, and Gibson Gives–its philanthropic arm–are bringing the music community together to stand behind the Ukraine Relief effort, raising awareness and funds for the people of Ukraine. Gibson luthiers have crafted a limited edition run of Guitars For Peace Les Paul Custom electric guitars, displaying the colours of the Ukrainian Flag. Gibson partnered with artists to perform with the Ukraine guitars on stage this summer. Autograph books traveling alongside each guitar have been signed by Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Slash, Fher Olvera of Maná, Nile Rodgers of Chic, Mark Knopfler, Lzzy Hale, Margo Price, Alex Lifeson, Blossoms, The Fratellis, Kasabian, Madness, Maisie Peters, Paloma Faith, The Charlatans, The Vaccines, Toyah, My Chemical Romance, and actor Jason Momoa, among others.

    Bidding at Julien’s Auctions will open on October 11 as part of the ”Icons & Idols: Rock ‘N’ Roll” live and online auction which runs until November 11, 12 and 13. The sale will be at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York

    SOTHEBY’S TO DISPLAY NEW JOSEPH WALSH SERIES AT LONDON DESIGN WEEK

    Tuesday, September 6th, 2022
    Joseph Walsh with his Gestures table.

    A new design series by Joseph Walsh, the Cork based internationally renowned furniture maker, will be offered by Sotheby’s as part of the London Design Festival. From September 17 – 29 there will be a selling exhibition of key pieces from the newly developed series ‘Gestures’ by the designer-maker at New Bond Street. There will be 12 works from the new series on display for the first time. Included is a large dining table, a sculptural bench, free form lounge chairs, dining chairs and various wall mounted sculptural shelves and consoles.

    ‘Gestures’ has emerged over the past three years, beginning with charcoal sketches which Walsh translates into scale model studies in wood. Wood is cut into layers, rebuilt and then carved to create an uninterrupted sculptural form. Finally, the works are finished in ebonised black. Each piece is functional and boldly sculptural, a unique free form composition designed to sit together in harmony with other works as an exhibition.

    Elena Checchi, Director, Specialist, 20th Century Design, Sotheby’s, said: “Joseph Walsh’s striking sculptural designs truly push the boundaries of working with wood. In the new Gestures series, Walsh distils furniture down to singular expressive gestural lines to bold and impactful effect. This collection of work, exhibited during London Design Festival, is testament to both the mastery of his craft and the technical innovation that this exceptional designer-maker pursues.”

    Gestures Bench.

    PICK A WINNER AT NATIONAL ANTIQUES FAIR IN LIMERICK

    Monday, September 5th, 2022
    A walnut crossbanded tilt top table at the National Antiques Fair in Limerick

    Time to giddy-up, clear all hurdles and chase over to Limerick Racecourse, the new and larger venue for the National Antiques Art and Vintage fair on September 10 and 11.  The race is on to this winners enclosure of rare, unusual, desirable and collectible pieces from right around the island of Ireland including Northern Ireland. Pick a winner from more than 60 antique shops, vintage shops, art galleries and collectibles dealers with everything from antique furniture to art, jewellery, books, silver, porcelain, coins, banknotes, militaria and vintage fashion.

    The Irish Antique Dealers Association will be represented by members including Martin Maguire of Mayo, Weldons Dublin, Donegal Antiques, Marie Curran, Dublin, Greenes Antiques, Drogheda, Treasures Irish Art, Athlone and Courtville Antiques, Dublin. With costume jewellery from €5 to top end diamonds at €50,000 there will be something here for everyone.  The odds are in favour of keen punters and collectors at this convenient location with ample parking.

    LOTS OF INTEREST AT LYNES AND LYNES

    Saturday, September 3rd, 2022
    Portrait of a young lady in a period frame. UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,700 AT HAMMER

    A stylish portrait requiring further research, a 19th century walnut carved bench with a motto we could all adopt, vintage hats in their original Munster Arcade boxes, a clock carved with the Cork coat of arms and a valuable Patek Philippe wristwatch will contribute to an interesting sale at Lynes and Lynes on September 10. Viewing gets underway in Carrigtwohill today for an auction made up of contents from Ballynoe House, Rushbrooke, Cobh, a large Cork city residence and several individual clients. The most expensively estimated lot is the Patek Philippe Nautilus automatic gentlemans’ wristwatch from Ballynoe House, which has recently been sold.  It is estimated at a cool €30,000-€50,000 and auctioneer Denis Lynes reckons that it could well exceed the top figure.

    A 19th century walnut carved long hall bench with a central heraldic shield is also from Ballynoe and estimated at €1,000-€1,500.  It is carved with the motto ‘Nun Quam Non Paratus’ meaning Never Unprepared. A half portrait of a young lady painted in the style of Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) bears an Agnews label on the back.  In a period frame it was purchased at the contents auction of Galtee Castle, Co. Tipperary, which was demolished circa 1941.  The castle was built in 1780 by the Kingstons and remodelled in 1892 by Abel Buckley, MP of Ryecroft Hall near Manchester. The venerable firm of Agnews, a leading London Old Master art dealer since 1860, was founded in Manchester in 1817. Located since 1877 at a prominent gallery at Old Bond St. the firm of Thomas Agnew and Sons closed in 2013 and re-opened at St. James’s Place in London.  Their archive was given to the National Gallery.  The painting is estimated at €1,000-€2,000.

    A pair of Irish Georgian peat and plate buckets. UPDATE: THESE MADE 1,600 AT HAMMER

    A curiosity of the sale is an oak mantel clock carved on the top with the Cork Coat of Arms.  The nautical theme is enhanced with flanking cannons and anchors set on a cushion base with swag decoration. This product of the Cork School of carving is estimated at €300-€500. Of vintage interest is a collection of ladies hats in their original Munster Arcade boxes (€50-€80). A top hat by W. Dennehy and Sons of Patrick St. and Castle St., Cork (€40-€60) is accompanied by a shooting stick.The sale kicks off with a pair of Irish Georgian mahogany and brass bound turf and plate buckets (€600-€1,000) and a large Waterford 10 branch chandelier comes with an estimate of €2,000-€3,000. The catalogue for this sale of 354 lots is online.

    COMPLETE SET OF DAMIEN HIRST PHARMACY MATCHBOOKS

    Friday, September 2nd, 2022
    DAMIEN HIRST (B.1965) BRITISH – Pharmacy (1998 – 2003). UPDATE: THIS MADE 3,200 AT HAMMER

    A complete set of Damien Hirst’s matchbooks from his Pharmacy restaurant comes up as lot 119 at Morgan O’Driscoll’s auction of Important Irish Art online until September 12. On offer is the complete set of 60 matchbooks with an estimate of 800-1,200. The catalogue is online and the sale will be on view in Skibbereen from September 8.

    VIEWING UNDERWAY IN DUBLIN FOR AT HOME SALE AT JAMES ADAM

    Friday, September 2nd, 2022
    Danish walnut crossbanded drinks cabinet. UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,300 AT HAMMER

    This 19th century Danish walnut crossbanded drinks cabinet is lot 465 at the James Adam At Home sale in Dublin on September 4. Viewing for this auction is now underway and the catalogue is online. There is a selection of furniture, silver, art, jewellery and collectibles among the 518 lots on offer. The cabinet here is estimated at 1,000-2,000.

    HOCKNEY TO HIGHLIGHT CHRISTIE’S 20th/21st CENTURY SALE IN OCTOBER

    Thursday, September 1st, 2022
    David Hockney, Early Morning, Sainte-Maxime (1969). UPDATE: THIS MADE £20,899,500

    David Hockney’s Early Morning, Sainte-Maxime (1969) will highlight Christie’s 20th / 21st Century evening sale in London on October 13. Depicting a sublime view in the South of France it is a tribute to Hockney’s emotional state at the height of his relationship with Peter Schlesinger and anticipates some of the artist’s greatest works. The estimate is £7,000,000-10,000,000.

    This is one of four paintings based on photographs taken during a trip to France with Hockney’s then partner in autumn 1968. It was at this time that the pair first spent time in the home of the film director, Tony Richardson, near Saint Tropez. They became regular guests at the lavish parties Richardson threw at ‘Le Nid du Duc’, set in the mountains just outside Le Garde-Freinet. Hockney had returned to London in 1968 after spending four years in California. The South of France became an instant draw for him and Schlesinger and would come to play a central role in their relationship. It was Richardson’s home that became the setting for his masterpiece Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) when the relationship ended in 1971.