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Overwintering on the Moon is the title of an exhibition by Beatrice O’Connell at Taylor Galleries in Dublin until February 17. These new mixed media works examine bionomic behaviour and interconnectivity in the face of the climate crisis and includes monochrome images of bees.
The market for collectibles is strong so there are high expectations around an etched framed Sir John Power and Son Dublin Whiskey advertising mirror at Victor Mee’s sale in Belturbet, Co. Cavan and online. This is a rarity in a sale on February 6 and 7 which will include the pub memorabilia collection of Cannons of Castlebar. The gilded lettering is by William Cleland of Belfast and there is an original paper label attached. Such is the demand for lots of this calibre that the estimate is a cool €8,000-€12,000. The mirror is lot 100 in an auction with over 1200 lots due to get underway each day at 5.30 pm.
Not everything is as expensive as this. But there should be local interest down south in lot 164, an Allman’s of Bandon Fine Old Irish Whisky reverse painted glass advertising sign with an estimate of just €200-€300. Allman’s produced whisky, Powers adds an “e” to make it whiskey, which is more generally the spelling used in Ireland. Either way it is good stuff. Lot 625 is a framed political print of the capture of Thomas Kent in Fermoy and it is estimated at just €50-€80. He was the only person outside of Dublin apart from Roger Casement to be executed for his role in the Easter Rising and the railway station in Cork, formerly Glanmire Road Station, was renamed Kent Station in his honour in 1966 on the 50th anniversary of the Rising.
A sale of memorabilia like this underlines the fast pace of change in the world we live in. Take pub ashtrays. Once ubiquitous they seemed to be doled out by sales reps for breweries and distilleries and cigarette manufacturers like snuff at a wake. They could be found on every bar counter and table until the smoking ban came into effect in Ireland 20 years ago. Now they turn up at auctions like this and if you are so inclined you can pick one up for €20 to €40. Lot 295 is a 1930’s sign for Hoey’s Court, Dublin the birthplace of Jonathan Swift, which has since been demolished. The estimate is €150-€250. The catalogue is online.
This painting – made and signed by all four Beatles – sold for $1,744,000 at Christie’s Exceptional Sale in New York. This is one of the highest sums ever paid for a piece of Beatles memorabilia. The sale of the best in decorative and applied arts, works of historic importance and iconic objects of pop culture brought in $6.7 million with bidding from around the globe. A 1965 Gretsch Chet Atkins country gentleman hollow body electric guitar once owned by Elvis Presley sold for $302,400.
An unknown masterpiece by Andre Derain and a pivotal work in the history of the Fauves movement comes up at Christie’s in Paris on April 9. Directly from the collection of Catalan painter Etienne Terrus, who hosted André Derain and Henri Matisse in Collioure during the summer of 1905, Matisse and Terrus marks the friendship between these three founding figures of Fauvism. The painting holds particular significance in Derain’s oeuvre from Collioure, for more than its portrayal of tripartite friendship. At the 1905 Salon d’Automne in Paris, its bold style and vivid fauvist palette were described as “an orgy of pure tones” giving official birth to one of the major modern art movements. Captivated by light and colors, Derain gradually eschews lines, and separates color from its descriptive, representational purpose, allowing it to exist on the canvas as an independent and focal element. These thick, sweeping strokes of pure pigment, filled with sensual vitality epitomize the breakthrough towards modernity. Estimated at €2 – €3 million it will highlight the ART IMPRESSIONISTE & MODERNE – ŒUVRES CHOISIES sale.
The Mark Knopfler guitar collection brought in £8,840,160 at Christie’s in London last night. Bidders registered from 61 countries, new auction records were set and the top lot was his vintage 1959 Les Paul Standard which realised £693,000 setting a new world auction record for the model. The collection of the celebrated singer-songwriter, guitar hero and frontman of the iconic British band, Dire Straits aroused phenomenal competition and the 122 lot auction lasted over six hours and was 100% sold. A total of 25% of the total hammer price will be divided equally and donated to charities that Mark Knopfler has supported for many years: The British Red Cross, Tusk and Brave Hearts of the North East. 100% of the funds raised from the final lot are being donated to Teenage Cancer Trust. In addition, Christie’s is contributing a further £50,000 to each of the four charities.
Adam’s has announced the appointment of Nathaniel Nicholson as Associate Director, Head of Valuations. Nathaniel, a BBS graduate from Trinity College, Dublin joins the St Stephen’s Green based Fine Art Auctioneers having worked as a specialist in the private and iconic collections department at Christie’s, in London. While there he developed a broad knowledge and passion for single owner collections having been involved in many high-profile sales over the past decade.
At Adam’s Nathaniel will be focusing on professional valuation work for the legal and financial advisory professions, as well as providing valuation and planning advice for private clients, augmenting the existing team of general and specialist valuers.
