Not least of the remarkable selection of lots at the Country House Collections sale of 730 lots by James Adam at Townley Hall near Drogheda on October 16 is a Republican silver two handled cup made by Egans of Cork at the height of the Civil War in 1922.
Republican silver is prized by collectors. Only about 80 objects were made by the renowned Cork silversmiths in the period to September 1922 when war conditions made it impossible to send silver to the Assay Office in Dublin. The Dublin writer and surgeon Oliver St. John Gogarty suggested a special hallmark to distinguish this particular period. So Egan’s made a punch based on the Arms of Cork showing a ship between two castles with two masts instead of three. The punch was destroyed when normal conditions resumed. The loving cup is estimated 10,000-15,000.
The highlight of the auction is the Armada table made from wood salvaged more than 400 years ago. As many as 27 Spanish ships were lost off the Irish coast in 1588. The catalogue cover is a 1760’s uniformed portrait of Capt. Edward O’Brien of Dromoland Castle by Robert Hunter (1715-1780). The estimate is 30,000-40,000. Two other lots of note from Dromoland are a set of Giant Irish Deer antlers and skull (30,000-50,000) and an iron bound 15th/16th century muniments chest (used for storing documents) at 8,000-12,000. A collection of nearly 50 lots of old Irish glass formed by Mrs. Noel Guinness of the banking family in the early part of the last century is highlighted by a late 18th century Waterford or Cork fruit bowl (1,500-2,500). There are decanters, preserve jars, serving dishes, milk jugs with estimates from 100 upwards.
An exceptional irish George II mahogany drop leaf table is estimated at 30,000-50,000, as is a pair of Irish George I walnut console tables. Among many other furniture lots of note are an Irish George II side table, a Louis Seize style ormolu and marquetry commode, a pair of Georgian style giltwood pier tables and mirrors in the manner of William Kent and a George IV pedestal sideboard.
(See posts on antiquesandartireland.com for September 15 and October 11, 2018)
Republican silver loving cup UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
18th century Waterford or Cork fruit bowl. UPDATE: THIS MADE 2,400 AT HAMMER
