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    FISCHER-SPASSKY MATCH RECALLED IN LONDON AUCTION

    Monday, March 14th, 2016
    A selection of Lothar Schmid's historic chess pieces.

    A selection of Lothar Schmid’s historic chess pieces.

    One of the most important collections of early chess pieces – from the collection of Lothar Schmid referee of the historic match between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky –  comes up at Sotheby’s in London on April 20.  Each piece carries huge significance in the evolution of the game throughout Persia and the Middle East. Highlights include an almost complete 10th-century set (£20,000-30,000).  Lothar Schmid (1928-2013) a ‘Grandmaster’ is famed for refereeing what became known as the “Match of the Century”.  The 1972 Cold War face-off between the American challenger Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union was staged in neutral Reykjavik. Fischer won.

    Schmid assembled one of the greatest collections of historic chess pieces, as well as a vast collection of books relating to the game. The library is said to be the world’s largest and most complete, comprising more than 50,000 volumes on the subject. It includes rare copies such as the first printed chess book, dated 1497.  The collection, estimated at £73,800-117,200, will feature as part of Sotheby’s Arts of the Islamic World sale.  T

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    PROCLAMATION MAKES 185,000 AT HAMMER AT WHYTE’S

    Sunday, March 13th, 2016
    This original copy of the Proclamation sold for a hammer price of 185,000 at Whyte's today.

    This original copy of the Proclamation sold for a hammer price of 185,000 at Whyte’s today.

    An original copy of the Irish Proclamation sold for 185,000 at Whye’s sale of History and Literature in Dublin this afternoon. It was a busy auction that exhibited a huge appetite for memorabilia and collectibles in this centenary year of the Irish Rising.  A bottle of 100 year old whiskey, which Whyte’s believe to be the oldest bottle of Irish whiskey ever offered at auction, sold for a hammer price of 15,000.  Eamon de Valera’s 1917 prison autograph book from Dartmoor sold for 5,400 and a collection of memorial posters of leaders of The Rising sold for 4,800 at hammer. Seven examples of 1966 50th anniversary silver ten shilling coins made 2,000 and 1916 Rising medals awarded to husband and wife James and Margaret Joyce sold for a hammer price of 6,800.  Three unpublished photographs of Roger Casement on board a German submarine bound for Ireland sold for 4,200.

    Many lots exceeded their top estimate. The sale grossed 570,000 and was 82 per cent sold.

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for March 4, 2016).

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    ATKINSON’S PAINTING OF QUEEN VICTORIA AT CORK HARBOUR MAKES 28,000

    Saturday, March 12th, 2016

    A painting depicting the Royal Yacht Squadron escorting Queen Victoria to Cork Harbour in 1849 sold for a hammer price of 28,000 at Woodwards auction in Cork today.  It is by the Cobh based painter George Mounsey Wheatley Atkinson, and it will return to Cobh, where it is to be part of a private collection. Based in Cobh George Mounsey Wheatley Atkinson responded enthusiastically to the brief visit, after the which Cove was renamed Queenstown, reverting to Cobh in the late 1920’s. He provided pictorial evidence of the visit, which is extremely rare.  Last sold for 40,000 the work had an estimate of 25,000-35,000 this time around.

    Woodwards reported a highly successful auction.  Three pencil and wash drawings by the Cork artist William Harrington, whose work is not widely known outside Cork but whose early work from the 1960’s and ’70’s is especially keenly collected locally, made hammer prices of 2,600, 2,500 and 2,500 respectively.  They included The Apple Seller, illustrated below.

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for February 18, 2016).

    George Mounsey Wheatley Atkinson - The Royal Yacht Squadron escorting Queen Victoria to Cork Harbour, 1849 sold for 28,000 at hammer.

    George Mounsey Wheatley Atkinson – The Royal Yacht Squadron escorting Queen Victoria to Cork Harbour, 1849 sold for 28,000 at hammer.

    William Harrington - The Apple Seller sold for 2,500 at hammer.

    William Harrington – The Apple Seller sold for 2,500 at hammer.

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    A MASTERPIECE BY RUBENS AT CHRISTIE’S IN JULY

    Friday, March 11th, 2016
    SIR PETER PAUL RUBENS (Seigen 1577-1640 Antwerp), Lot and his Daughters, circa 1613-1614. Courtesy CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2016

    SIR PETER PAUL RUBENS (Seigen 1577-1640 Antwerp), Lot and his Daughters, circa 1613-1614. Courtesy CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD. 2016

    Sir Peter Paul Rubens’s masterpiece, Lot and his Daughters (circa 1613-1614) is to be sold by Christie’s  in London in July. An outstanding example of Rubens’s early maturity this is one of the most important paintings by the artist to have remained in private hands. It has been hidden from public view for over a century. Lot and his Daughters will be exhibited during Christie’s New York Classic Week on April 8-12 and in Hong Kong from May 26-30.  It will be the centerpiece of a curated week of sales, Classic Week, in London and will lead Christie’s Old Master & British Paintings evening dale on July 7.

    The work boasts a distinguished provenance. It was once part of the collections of wealthy Antwerp merchants; a Governor-General of the Spanish Netherlands; Joseph I Holy Roman Emperor; and the Dukes of Marlborough. It was included in the first volume of The English Connoisseur from 1766 and has since been listed in all the major publications on Rubens’s work. The sale of this painting by the quintessential artist of the Northern Baroque presents a rare opportunity for both international collectors and institutions.

    “After the historic private sale of two Rembrandt Portraits* to the French and Dutch states earlier this year, Christie’s is leading the masterpiece market by offering this monumental work by the other stellar artist of the Northern School, Sir Peter Paul Rubens. The impact of this painting in the flesh is overwhelming: we look forward to seeing the reactions of those who come to view it when we exhibit it in New York, Hong Kong and London.”  said Paul Raison, Deputy Chairman, Old Master Pictures.

    UPDATE: THIS MADE £44,882,500, THE HIGHEST PRICE EVER ACHIEVED FOR AN OLD MASTER AT CHRISTIE’S

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    LARGEST FANCY VIVID BLUE DIAMOND EVER TO APPEAR AT AUCTION

    Friday, March 11th, 2016
    The De Beers Millennium Jewel 4.

    The De Beers Millennium Jewel 4.

    The largest oval fancy vivid blue diamond ever to appear at auction – the De Beers Millennium Jewel 4 – will lead Sotheby’s Spring sales in Hong Kong on April 5. Th2 10.10 carat internally flawless stone is estimated at US$30-35 million.  Offered for sale from an Asian private collection it is the only oval-shaped stone among the twelve rare diamonds – eleven blue and one colourless – that form the world-renowned De Beers Millennium Jewels collection unveiled in 2000 in celebration of the millennium.  Each of the eleven blue diamonds in the collection boasts a combination of colour intensity, even saturation and brilliance that are rivalled by few other stones.

    QUEK Chin Yeow, Deputy Chairman, Asia, and Chairman International Jewellery, Asia, said, “Over the years Sotheby’s has had the honour to bring to the market many important coloured diamonds, including the Blue Moon of Josephine that set the world auction record for any diamond last November.  The market for coloured diamonds has gone from strength to strength”.

    UPDATE:  It sold for US$31.8 million, the highest price ever paid for a jewel at auction in Asia.

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    PELÉ THE COLLECTION AT JULIEN’S AUCTIONS IN JUNE

    Thursday, March 10th, 2016

    Pelé The Collection – with over 2,000 lots – is to be offered by Julien’s Auctions in London in June. The three time World Cup Champion, FIFA Player of the Century and Brazilian football icon  is to sell his vast collection of awards, memorabilia, personal property and iconic items spanning his entire career for the first time. They will be sold on June 7, 8 and 9 at Julien’s Auctions.

    This global sports icon known to the world as Pelé won the World Cup in 1958, 1962 and 1970. Although just 5’ 8” tall, Pelé was a giant on the field leading his Brazilian team Santos FC to many championships. Pelé: The Collection is unprecedented and extraordinary. It covers every stage of his career — both personal and professional. Among many highlights are his Jules Rimet Trophy ($400,000-$600.000), his 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cup Medals ($100,000-$200,000), his 1,000th goal ball ($40,000-$60,000), his 1977 NY Cosmos NASL Championship ring  ($30,000-$40,000) and the L’Equipe Athlete of the Century Award ($20,000-$30,000).  The collection will be exhibited at The Mall Galleries in London from June 1-6 and three days of live and online auctions over six sessions get underway on June 7.

    PELÉ JULES RIMET TROPHY

    PELÉ JULES RIMET TROPHY

    PELÉ 1958 FIFA WORLD CUP WINNER’S MEDAL

    PELÉ 1958 FIFA WORLD CUP WINNER’S MEDAL

    PELÉ 1970s BRAZIL NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM GAME WORN JERSEY

    PELÉ 1970s BRAZIL NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM GAME WORN JERSEY

    A "World Record" certificate presented to Pelé by the Guinness Book of Records for the most career goals (1,279 in total).

    A “World Record” certificate presented to Pelé by the Guinness Book of Records for the most career goals (1,279 in total).

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    LATE 19TH CENTURY ITALIAN SCULPTURE THE TOP LOT AT FONSIE MEALY

    Wednesday, March 9th, 2016
    Cristoforo Vicari (b1848) - a carved marble sculpture of a woodland nymph.

    Cristoforo Vicari (b1848) – a carved marble sculpture of a woodland nymph.

    This soup ladle by Samuel Johns, Limerick sold for 7,600.

    This sauce ladle by Samuel Johns, Limerick sold for 7,600.

    This 19th century Italian carved marble sculpture of a woodland nymph was the top lot at Fonsie Mealy’s sale in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny on March 8.  By Cristoforo Vicari and mounted on a large green marble plinth it made 50,000 on the hammer.  An 18th century carved carrara marble fireplace from Wolfe Tone’s house in Dublin made 36,000, a gilt mounted Vernis Martin kingwood display cabinet made 12,ooo, a 19th century diorama in two sections of a working factory staffed by mice made 10,000, a collection of ten South African one ounce gold Krugerrands, nine from 1974 and one from 1972, sold for 9,500 and a pair of fine cast Irish George II silver candlesticks sold for 9,000.

    An 18th century sauce ladle by Samuel Johns, Limerick c1750 sold for 7,600, four Irish William IV carved armchairs made 8,500, an early 18th century Irish carved oak table made 8,000 and a three quarter length portrait of John MacNamara of Moyreisk, Co. Clare made 5,400.  A large George III style carved gilt wood over mantle originally at Clontarf Castle sold for 3,000.

    The auction realised 480,000 on the hammer.

    (See posts on antiquesandartireland.com for March 7 and March 2, 2016).

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    WOLFE TONE’S CARRARA CHIMNEYPIECE AT FONSIE MEALY AUCTION

    Monday, March 7th, 2016
    The fireplace from Wolfe Tone's house in Dublin inset with the grate from Elizabeth Bowen's home in Cork.

    The fireplace from Wolfe Tone’s house in Dublin inset with the grate from Elizabeth Bowen’s home in Cork.  UPDATE: The fireplace made 36,000.

    Wolfe Tone’s fireplace will come up at Fonsie Mealy’s Chatsworth spring fire art sale in Castlecomer on March 8.  The 18th century Carrara marble chimney piece was rescued from the front drawing room at the home of the Irish Revolutionary leader and founding member of the United Irishmen who died in 1798 at 44 Stafford St., Dublin (now Wolfe Tone St.) around 1960 by the present owner. It is estimated at 15,000-20,000.

    The grate in the image is from the bedroom of novelist and short story writer Elizabeth Bowen at Bowen’s Court in Co. Cork.  The iron framed grate made around 1760-70 is estimated at 1,000-1,500.  The catalogue for the auction of 765 lots is online.

    UPDATE: The fireplace was sold for 36,000

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for March 2, 2016).

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    ANTIQUE FURNITURE AND HISTORIC PAINTING AT WOODWARDS IN CORK

    Monday, March 7th, 2016

    An historic Atkinson, a Queen Anne bureau bookcase, a 10′ Regency sideboard, a three pillar dining table and a Victorian four poster bed will feature at Woodwards sale in Cork on March 12.  A rare pictorial record of the visit of Queen Victoria to Cork Harbour in 1849 is contained in George Mounsey Wheatley Atkinson’s oil painting of the Royal Yacht Squadron bringing Queen Victoria to Cobh. It is estimated at 25,000-30,000.  As a result of the visit the Cove of Cork was renamed Queenstown, reverting to Cobh in the late 1920’s. The double domed Queen Anne bookcase has an estimate of 5,000-8,00, the pillared dining table, which extends to 16″, is estimated at 6,000-10,000, the four poster at 2,000-3,000 and the sideboard at 4,000-6,000.

    There is an estimate of 3,000-4,000 on a pair of Coalbrookedale garden seats and a Georgian long case clock with parquetry inlay by John Hallifax (1694-1750), Barnsley  is estimated at 2,000-3,000. The catalogue is online. (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for February 18, 2016).

    A Regency sideboard (4,000-6,000).

    A Regency sideboard (4,000-6,000).  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    A Queen Anne double domed bureau bookcase (5,000-8,000).

    A Queen Anne double domed bureau bookcase (5,000-8,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 4,100 AT HAMMER

    A Victorian four poster bed (2,000-3,000).

    A Victorian four poster bed (2,000-3,000). UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,000 AT HAMMER

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    ONLY KNOWN PAIR OF KINSALE SILVER TREFID SPOONS

    Saturday, March 5th, 2016
    A pair of Kinsale silver trefid spoons.

    A pair of Kinsale silver trefid spoons.

    The only known pair of Kinsale trefid spoons will feature at Weldon’s stand at the National Antiques and Vintage Fair at the South Court Hotel in Limerick on March 19 and 20. By Joseph and William Wall they were made c1695-1705 and are real rarities.  Trefid spoons are flat handled with a stem that widens at the top with two notches that form a shape with three lobes.  Irish provincial silver is much rarer than Dublin silver. Antique Kinsale silver pieces are prized by collectors.  Weldons say it is likely that they were owned by the Daunt family of Tracton Abbey near Kinsale.

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