Irish Victorian Giltwood Side Table and Mirror. UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
This Irish giltwood side table and mirror, crafted by Arthur Jones & Sons for the Great Exhibition of 1853, is the leading lot at Fonsie Mealy’s Chatsworth autumn fine art auction on October 23 and 24 in Castlecomer. A superb example of mid-19th century Irish craftsmanship and nationalist symbolism it is commonly referred to as “The Table of Ireland” as it captures the essence of Irish identity and national pride through a complex composition of decorative motifs. Among them are a harp, a carved mask of a bearded man crowned with a hat of shamrocks, an Irish round tower and a medieval tower house. This historic piece is estimated at €20,000-€30,000. There are 983 lots in the sale and the catalogue is online.