Rare 1860’s Irish oak harp clock by John Donegan
An unusual and very Irish oak harp clock by the Dublin maker John Donegan from the 1860’s is the prime lot at R.J. Keighery’s clock auction in Waterford on May 13. Only eight of these clocks are known. This is the first to be sold at auction. It measures nine feet tall and is brimful of detail like harps, pikes, a wolfound, two round towers and a lyre. The base depicts the Giant’s Causeway and the hood is in the shape of a harp. It is estimated at €6,000-€9,000. John Donegan is known as the last of the Irish watchmakers.
The auction offers 345 watches and clocks from four lifetime collectors along with associated furniture lots. There are longcase clocks, wall clocks, carriage clocks, marble mantle clocks, barometers and watch arts. A brass dial longcase clock by William Maddock of Waterford made in 1766 is estimated at €1,800-€2,200. A large ormolu and boulle clock has an estimate of €1,250-€1,450.
A selection of longcase clocks at Keighery’s sale