A weathered leather couch and club chair at right angles to a blazing fire, a Victorian giltwood mirror and a carved mahogany framed ottoman combine to make an enviably comfortable image on the catalogue cover for Adams timed At Home auction on December 19.. The scene was set in the elegant surroundings of the St. Stephen’s Green Club in Dublin where the decorated Georgian fireplace and Christmas tree added a seasonal touch of cheer.
Here’s the thing. There is no reason why this ghost of Christmas past cannot be turned into the ghost of your Christmas future because with the exception of the fireplace all these lots are in the sale. The two seater button backed brown leather couch and matching armchair are estimated at €1,600-€2,000, the mirror at €500-€700 and the ottoman at €400-€600.
The most expensively estimated furniture lot is 441, a 19th century neo-Grecian maple and rosewood inlaid centre table (€3,000-€5,000) and there is a good collection of overmantle mirrors. Among the more unusual offerings are two Afghan war rugs woven with tanks and war apparatus, each estimated at €200-€300, based on the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union. There is also a rare George I walnut combination piece with knee hole desk on one side and a chest of drawers on the other (€1,000-€2,000).
The first 156 lots is made up of jewellery and watches headed by an Italian 18 carat gold necklace and bracelet (€3,200-€3,800). There is no shortage of gift items like a Pasha razor and barber brush by Cartier. The top art lot is an oil by Joseph Horler (1809-1887) of Criccieth Castle in North Wales (€3,000-€5,000).
As if all this was not enough Adams will hold a fine wines and spirit auction on December 18. The catalogues for both sales are online and they are now on view in Dublin.