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    A SILVER DISH RING GIVEN TO TERENCE MACSWINEY AS A WEDDING PRESENT

    Monday, April 4th, 2016
    The silver dish ring by Egans of Cork given to Terence MacSwiney as a wedding present in 1917.

    The silver dish ring by Egans of Cork given to Terence MacSwiney as a wedding present in 1917. UPDATE: THIS MADE 3,200 AT HAMMER

    An inscribed silver dish ring given as a wedding present to Terence MacSwiney – the Republican Lord Mayor of Cork who died on hunger strike in Brixton Prison in 1920 – comes up at Fonsie Mealy’s Centenary Sale at the Gresham Hotel in Dublin on April 23.  The pierced dish ring was a gift from the girls of St. Ita’s, the independent school in Cork founded by his sisters Maire and Aine MacSwiney after Maire was dismissed from her teaching post following her arrest during the Easter Rising.

    Terence MacSwiney was a founder member of the Irish Volunteers in Cork.  Though the planned Rising in Cork did not take place he and other Volunteers were arrested and detained in England and Wales.  In June 1917 he married Muriel (Muirgheal) Murphy of the Cork brewing family.  They had one daughter.  In 1920 after the assassination of  Lord Mayor Tomas Mac Curtain, Terence MacSwiney became Lord Mayor of Cork.  On August 12 he was arrested at Cork City Hall and sentenced to two years imprisonment for possession of a military cipher. He died on hunger strike in Brixton Prison 74 days later. His funeral was enormous. His death was a turning point in public support for the Republican struggle.
    The dish ring by Egans of Cork, with Dublin hallmarks for 1916, is inscribed: “M  .. / Agus / T. Mac S. / La a bposta / 9 / 6 / 17”.  The lower rim is inscribed “O Chailinibh Sgoil Ite Naomhta” (from the girls of St. Ita’s).  It is estimated at 2,000-3,000.  In 1916 Easter Sunday fell on April 23.
    UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 3,200 IN A SALE WHICH MADE JUST UNDER 500,000

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    THE YEAR OF THE FRENCH RECALLED AT JAMES ADAM

    Sunday, April 3rd, 2016
    The Battle of Collooney on September 5, 1798 – in which the French under General Humbert and the United Irishmen were defeated by the Limerick City Militia under the command of Colonel Charles Vereker  – is recalled in two significant lots at the James Adam history sale in Dublin on April 19.
    In August 1798, sometimes remembered as The Year of the French, General Joseph Humbert led an invasion of Ireland where he joined forces with Irish rebels in an attempt to overthrow the British.  With an army of about 3,000 the French and the United Irishmen defeated the British at Castlebar. As they advanced on Sligo their front line was turned by the 300 strong Limerick City Militia. With his advance to Colloney and by various ruses Vereker tricked Humbert into thinking he was the vanguard of a superior force.
    Though criticised for being foolhardy and leaving Sligo defenceless Vereker and the militia were held in high esteem for what was seen as a great victory of the French.  The Battle of Collooney extinguished a serious threat felt by the British in Ireland.  Their bravery was rewarded by gold and silver medals inscribed “To the Heroes of Colooney 5th sept 1798”.  Vereker later opposed the Union saying:  “I have defended my country with my blood and there is nothing in the gift of the Crown that would tempt me to betray her by my vote”.  He inherited the title 2nd Viscount Gort. The family later built Lough Cutra Castle to the designs of John Nash.

    Adams sale will include two items listed as the property of the 9th Viscount Gort.  The Collooney Presentation Cup made by James Scott in Dublin in 1802, inscribed to the heroes of Colloony with the arms of the City of Limerick is estimated at 20,000-25,000.  A sabre, the sword of honour presented to Vereker in gratitude by the city of Limerick with the makers mark of Richard Teed is estimated at 30,000-40,000.   UPDATE: THE CUP MADE 20,000 AT AHMMER, THE SABRE 29,000.

    The Collooney Presentation Cup (20,000-25,000)

    The Collooney Presentation Cup   UPDATE: THIS MADE 20,000 AT HAMMER (20,000-25,000)

    The Collooney Presentation Sabre (30,000-40,000)

    The Collooney Presentation Sabre (30,000-40,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 29,000 AT HAMMER

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    A BLUE ROTHKO FROM 1957 AT CHRISTIE’S NEW YORK

    Saturday, April 2nd, 2016
    Mark Rothko (1903-1970) No. 17 (c) 1998 Kate Rothko Prizel & Christopher Rothko / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Courtesy Christie's Images Ltd., 2016

    Mark Rothko (1903-1970)
    No. 17 (c) 1998 Kate Rothko Prizel & Christopher Rothko / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2016

    Mark Rothko’s pivotal 1957 canvas No. 17  will lead Christie’s evening sale of  Post-War & Contemporary Art in New York on May 10.  It is estimated at $30-40 million.  One of the artist’s rare “blue” canvases, this work belongs to a select group that marked the culmination of a short period during which he executed a number of brightly hued works.  This was just a few months before he embarked on the Seagram Murals which have been at the Tate Gallery, London since 1970, the year of Rothko’s suicide.

    It was featured in the 1961-1963 Rothko retrospective which championed the cause of Abstract Expressionism in Europe in a variety of different venues. The  first stop was the Whitechapel Gallery in London.  Afterwards it travelled to Amsterdam, Brussels, Basel, Rome before finishing at the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris in January 1963.

    After the retrospective No. 17 went into a private Italian collection and remained unseen by the public for the next several decades. In 2001 it was the central part of an exhibition at the Fondation Beyeler near Basel in Switzerland.  After that exhibition it went into another private collection, where it has remained until now.

    Brett Gorvy, International Head of Post-War and Contemporary Art, at Christie’s said: “No. 17, is a strikingly beautiful canvas that comes with an exhibition history that places it within the canon of Rothko’s most important paintings of the late 1950’s. We are particularly pleased to be presenting this work to the marketplace at a time when there is such tremendous demand for examples by Rothko of this remarkable quality. With its vibrant, enveloping surface, and its freshness to the auction market, we are confident that No. 17 will appeal to a broad global audience.”

    No. 17 is being sold on the heels of the tremendously successful sale of Rothko’s 1958 painting, No. 10, which realized $81,925,000 against a high estimate of $60 million at Christie’s New York, in May 2015. No. 10’s strength at auction demonstrated the tremendous demand for works of this quality by Rothko in the global marketplace, which continues to exist in full force today.

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    A DISTINGUISHED ULSTER COLLECTION AT JAMES ADAM

    Friday, April 1st, 2016

    Antique European furniture, art, clocks, books, Oriental rugs, porcelain, glass, decorative items and collectibles will come under the hammer at the James Adam sale entitled A Distinguished Ulster Collection in Dublin on April 6. The catalogue, which is on line, lists 449 lots. Here is a small selection:

    A PAIR OF LOUIS XVI WHITE OVOID MARBLE AND ORMOLU FOUR-LIGHT CANDELABRA (10,000-15,000)

    A PAIR OF LOUIS XVI WHITE OVOID MARBLE AND ORMOLU FOUR-LIGHT CANDELABRA (10,000-15,000)  UPDATE: THIS LOT WAS UNSOLD

    A MAHOGANY AND MARQUETRY NEO-CLASSICAL SMALL COMMODE, Milan, Late 18th Century (2,500-4,500)

    A MAHOGANY AND MARQUETRY NEO-CLASSICAL SMALL COMMODE, Milan, Late 18th Century (2,500-4,500)  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    A SEVRES POT AND COVER, with marks for 1778, with gilt metal mounts (500-800)

    A SEVRES POT AND COVER, with marks for 1778, with gilt metal mounts (500-800)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 200 AT HAMMER

    JAMES ARTHUR O'CONNOR A Wooded Landscape with Figures with figures on a Path, a Lake Behind (12,000-14,000)

    JAMES ARTHUR O’CONNOR
    A Wooded Landscape with Figures with figures on a Path, a Lake Behind (12,000-14,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 16,000 AT HAMMER

    A LOUIS XV KINGWOOD VENEERED BUREAU EN PENTE (2,000-3,000)

    A LOUIS XV KINGWOOD VENEERED BUREAU EN PENTE (2,000-3,000)  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    A SMALL GILTWOOD ROCOCO MIRROR, 18TH CENTURY, ITALIAN (250-400)

    A SMALL GILTWOOD ROCOCO MIRROR, 18TH CENTURY, ITALIAN (250-400)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 680 AT HAMMER

    AN IRISH GEORGE III SPHERICAL GILT METAL LANTERN (2,000-3,000)

    AN IRISH GEORGE III SPHERICAL GILT METAL LANTERN (2,000-3,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 4,600 AT HAMMER

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    THE LARGEST FANCY VIVID BLUE DIAMOND EVER OFFERED AT AUCTION

    Thursday, March 31st, 2016

    blue diamondThe Oppenheimer Blue, the largest and finest Fancy Vivid Blue diamond ever offered at auction, comes up at Christie’s in Geneva on May 18. Weighing 14.62 carats and named in honor of its previous owner Sir Philip Oppenheimer, it is estimated at US$38-45 million.

    Sir Philip Oppenheimer, who began working at the family business at De Beers in 1934, controlled the Diamond Syndicate in London.  He was head of the Central Selling Organisation for 45 years and served as chairman of the diamond trading company branch.  He oversaw a diamond trade cartel set up by De Beers to keep strict control over diamond supply worldwide.

    Today he is remembered as a master negotiator and the foremost architect of stability in the international diamond industry.  The extreme scarcity of strongly coloured blue diamonds means that records continue to be broken each year. Last November a 12 carat fancy vivid blue diamond sold for $48.5 million at Sotheby’s in Geneva.

    UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR US$57.5 MILLION

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for November 12, 2015)

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    MATTHEWS AUCTION AT HEADFORT HOUSE IN KELLS

    Thursday, March 31st, 2016

    The annual Headfort House antique and fine art sale by Matthews of Oldcastle takes place on Sunday April 3 at 1.30 p.m.  Many lots are estimated at under 500. Headfort House is in Kells, Co. Meath. The catalogue, which lists 843 lots, is online. Here is a small selection:

    William IV library table (1,000-1,500)

    William IV library table (1,000-1,500)

    Rouge marble fire surround (1,000-1,500)

    Rouge marble fire surround (1,000-1,500)

    Pair of Irish Georgian mirrors and sconces (1,000-1,500).

    Pair of Irish Georgian mirrors and sconces (1,000-1,500).

     

    Edwardian Coalbrookdale garden seat (500-800)

    Edwardian Coalbrookdale garden seat (500-800)

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    THE JEWELS OF PRINCESS GABRIELA ZU LEININGEN AT CHRISTIE’S

    Wednesday, March 30th, 2016

    Superb jewels from the collection of Princess Gabriela zu Leiningen will be offered by Christie’s in Geneva on May 18.  The 46 lots headed by the 36.09 carat Pohl diamond are expected to realise more than US$15 million.  The Princess hails from a successful German entrepreneurial and philanthropic family. A qualified lawyer, she was married to Prince Karl-Emich zu Leiningen for seven years, and became a consultant for UNESCO in Paris, advising on equality and women’s rights.  In May 1998, Princess Gabriela married His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, 49th Imam of the Ismaili community, international entrepreneur, horse-breeder and founder of the Aga Khan Development Network. During their 16-year marriage, the Princess held the title Begum Inaara Aga Khan and received superb and unique jewels from her then husband, a great art connoisseur, furthering her already extensive collection. Several of them are to be presented in the Geneva Magnificent Jewels auction in May.  Here is a selection from the sale:

    UPDATE: The collection made a total of US$22.5 million and was 100% sold.

    The Pohl diamond (US$3.8-5.5 million).

    The Pohl diamond (US$3.8-5.5 million).  UPDATE: THIS MADE $4,415,885

    A five strand natural pearl and diamond necklace ($350,000-500,000).

    A five strand natural pearl and diamond necklace ($350,000-500,000).  UPDATE; this made $435,552

    An emerald and diamond necklace by Cartier ($2.5-3.5 million)

    An emerald and diamond necklace by Cartier ($2.5-3.5 million)  UPDATE: THIS MADE $2,895,074

    A ruby and diamond novelty brooch by Cartier ($10,000-15,000).

    A ruby and diamond novelty brooch by Cartier ($10,000-15,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE $275,673

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    VACHERON CONSTANTIN LES MASQUES COLLECTION AT SOTHEBY’S

    Monday, March 28th, 2016
    Set of Twelve Automatic Wristwatches with Day, Date and Engraved Miniature Mask Dial, Métiers d’Art – Les Masques made in 2007 – 2009 (US$1-1.55 million).

    Set of Twelve Automatic Wristwatches with Day, Date and Engraved Miniature Mask Dial, Métiers d’Art – Les Masques made in 2007 – 2009 (US$1-1.55 million).

    A complete set of 12 Vacheron Constantin wristwatches from the ‘Métiers d’Art – Les Masques’ Collection  comes up at Sotheby’s sale of important watches in Hong Kong on April 6.  Making its debut on auction floor each features an engraved tribal mask from the Barbier Muller Museum in Geneva.  The sale will offer more than 340 lots with a total estimate of US$8.2-12 million.

    Sharon Chan, Head of Watches, Sotheby’s Asia, said: “To stay on top of the competitive global watch market Sotheby’s international team of watch specialists have put together a meticulous selection of timepieces for the Important Watches Hong Kong Sale in April, including vintage Patek Philippe and Rolex watches, spectacular enamelled pieces as well as innovative creations by independent watchmakers.  Spanning vintage, modern and contemporary timepieces, the selection offered this season is attractively estimated, including extremely rare pieces appearing in auction for the very first time.”

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    THE 1844 ORDNANCE SURVEY OF IRELAND AT HEGARTY’S

    Sunday, March 27th, 2016
    A set of bound volumes (13 in all) of the Ordnance Survey of Ireland, 1844 comes up at Hegarty’s sale in Bandon April 3. The survey just predates the famine and is from the collection of the late Margaret Ridgeway, founder of Kilcolman National Nature Reserve in Doneraile, Co. Cork.  Some of these items, including the Ordnance Survey which is stamped Lord Doneraile, were previously in the collection at Doneraile Court. Also included is a set of maps of Cork and Waterford by a Captain Larcombe, which were commissioned by Lord Doneraile in 1845 and used by him on hunting trips.
    Another lot of historical interest is the belt plate of the Kinnalea and Kerricurrihy Cavaly from the Westropp collection. The plate closely resembles that worn by the Royal Cork Volunteers and has been featured in the Cork Historical Journal.

    Antique furniture includes a Regency rosewood Cork fold over card table (2,000-4,000), an Irish early 19th century partners desk (3,000-4,000), a George II Irish gilt wood mirror (2,000-3,500), a four door library bookcase (2,000-5,000) and an oval George III fold over tea table (3,000-5,000).t of the sale at 3 pm on Sunday week.

    Six bound volumes of the 1844 Ordnance Survey of Ireland

    Bound volumes of the 1844 Ordnance Survey of Ireland.  UPDATE: SOLD FOR 8,200

    A Regency rosewood Cork fold over card table

    A Regency rosewood fold over card table. UPDATE: SOLD FOR  2,200

    The belt plate of the Kinnalea and Kerricurrihy Cavalry

    The belt plate of the Kinnalea and Kerricurrihy Cavalry.  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD AND UNDER ACTIVE NEGOTIATION AFTER THE AUCTION

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    PICASSO CERAMICS AT SOTHEBY’S IN LONDON

    Friday, March 25th, 2016

    An auction of important ceramics by Pablo Picasso takes place at Sotheby’s in London on April 5. There are over 200 ceramics, with estimates ranging from £1,000 – 1,500 to £80,000 – 120,000.  The focus of the sale is Picasso’s editioned ceramics and the Nina Miller Collection is highlighted by two unique ceramics Caractère

    Picasso - Caractère

    Picasso – Caractère  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    (£20,000 – 30,000) and Deux Poissons (£25,000 – 35,000).  Beginning with his first trip to Vallauris in the summer of 1946, Picasso remained enchanted by the freedom and expressive nature of the ceramic medium through the last 25 years of his life.  Taken by the idea that anyone could buy, use and decorate their homes with them he was persuaded to make numbered editions of some. There are 633 multiples, usually in editions of from 25 to 500.

    UPDATE: THE SALE REALISED £2.2 MILLION, THE PRE-SALE TOP ESTIMATE WAS £1.6 MILLION

    Picasso - Tripode, Gros oiseau

    Picasso – Tripode, Gros oiseau  UPDATE: TRIPODE SOLD FOR £191,000, GROS OISEAU FOR 3106,250

    Picasso - Deux Poissons

    Picasso – Deux Poissons  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR £28,750

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