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    HISTORIC CORK PAINTING AT WHYTE’S ART AUCTION

    Saturday, September 19th, 2015
    THE CONSECRATION OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST. MARY'S, POPE'S QUAY, CORK, c.1842 by James Mahony RHA (c.1815-c.1859)

    THE CONSECRATION OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST. MARY’S, POPE’S QUAY, CORK, c.1842 by James Mahony RHA (c.1815-c.1859)  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 19,000 AT HAMMER. IT WAS BOUGHT BY THE GREAT HUNGER MUSEUM, QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY, CONNECTICUT.

    AN historic Cork painting by James Mahony – The Consecration of the Roman Catholic Church of St. Mary’s, Pope’s Quay, Cork c1842 – comes up at Whyte’s Irish and International art auction in Dublin on September 28.  Estimated at 8,000-10,000 it has not been seen in public since it was shown at the RHA in 1842. It was presented to Kearns Deane, architect of St. Mary’s and brother of Sir Thomas Deane and has been passed down though the Deane family to the present owner. The historical significance of the work is that it shows an important public ceremony in a newly built catholic church shortly after Catholic emancipation.  It includes the figure of Daniel O’Connell in the congregation and is in its original frame.  The foundation stone of St. Mary’s was laid in 1832 and it opened in 1839. The interior depicted is now slightly different.  From 1868 to 1872 the rock behind the church was excavated and a larger apse constructed. The stained glass windows have been removed.

    In catalogue notes Dr. Julian Campbell recounts that James Mahony, born in Cork in either 1811 or 1817, is best known for his sparse and harrowing illustrations of the Great Famine for The Illustrated London News where he was an artist and a reporter for many years. He worked with oil and watercolour and his illustrations were admired by, among others, Vincent van Gogh.  In 1841 he helped to establish the Cork Art Union and exhibited paintings of Italian views, architectural subjects and scenes from Shakespeare. In 1846 one of his engravings was presented to Queen Victoria.
    The venue for Whyte’s art auction is the Minerva Suite of the RDS.  The sale includes work by Charles Jervas, Thomas Hickey, Aloysius O’Kelly, Sir William Orpen, Sir John Lavery, Percy French, Mainie Jellett,  Gerard Dillon, Norah McGuinness, John Shinnors, Rowan Gillespie and Edward Delaney.

    ONCE IN A BLUE MOON DIAMOND AT SOTHEBY’S

    Thursday, September 17th, 2015
    THE BLUE MOON DIAMOND.

    THE BLUE MOON DIAMOND.

    The Blue Moon Diamond – among the largest fancy vivid blue diamonds known – will be the centrepiece at Sotheby’s auction of Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels in Geneva on November 11.  It weighs 12.03 carats and has been graded Fancy Vivid Blue – the highest possible colour grading for blue diamonds — by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Internally flawless it comes to market with an estimate of $35-55 million.

    David Bennett, Worldwide Chairman of Sotheby’s International Jewellery Division, commented: “The tremendous excitement last year over the discovery of a 29.62-carat blue rough diamond at the Cullinan mine in South Africa has now been proved to have been totally justified. Weighing in at 12.03 carats, the ‘Blue Moon’ diamond is a simply sensational stone of perfect colour and purity, combined with a superb cushion shape. Blue, for me, is the most mysterious and magical of all the colours of diamond, and the Blue Moon will now take its place among the most famous gems in the world.”

    A YEATS AT WOKINGHAM AUCTION

    Thursday, September 17th, 2015

    The Pound Street Band, a pencil, pen, ink and watercolour by Jack Butler Yeats comes up at Wokingham auctioneers Martin and Pole on September 23.  Estimated at £5,000-7,000, it was sold at Christie’s in 1998 for just under £10,000.  Executed around 1912 it was shown at the Theatre Exhibition, Birmingham in 1917.  It was purchased two years later from the gallery of Joseph Abernethy, Dunedin by a Colonel W. M. MacDonald.
    Hilary Pyle’s catalogue raisonne of Yeats records this as a compilation of drawings made by the artist referring to incidents and characters he saw on his return to the West from Devon every year. The picture, according to auctioneer Pascal McNamara at Martin & Pole, Wokingham, Berkshire has come from the estate of a retired Irish-born lady in the area.

    The auction will also feature a silver bread tongs by Cork silversmith Richard Garde with Dublin hallmarks for 1828. It is estimated at £200-300.

    Jack B Yeats - The Pound Street Band.

    Jack B Yeats – The Pound Street Band.  UDPATE: THIS WAS WITHDRAWN

    A bread tongs by Cork silversmith Richard Garde with Dublin marks for 1828.

    A bread tongs by Cork silversmith Richard Garde with Dublin marks for 1828.  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR £420

    A $60MILLION+ TWOMBLY AT SOTHEBY’S IN NEW YORK

    Wednesday, September 16th, 2015

    Cy Twombly - Untitled, 1968 [New York City]

    Cy Twombly – Untitled, 1968 [New York City]  UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR $70.5 MILLION

    Untitled, 1968 [New York City] – a seminal example of Cy Twombly’s  ‘Blackboard’ paintings  comes up at Sotheby’s in New York on November 11.  It is expected to realise more than $60 million.  The work is from the collection of Los Angeles philanthropist Audrey Irmas and sale proceeds will benefit The Audrey Irmas Foundation for Social Justice. The foundation supports causes including Wilshire Boulevard Temple, which will receive $30 million from the sale. The funds will launch the campaign for the Temple’s new building, designed by the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) led by Rem Koolhaas, and to be named The Audrey Irmas Pavilion. The building will be OMA’s first commission from a religious institution, and the firm’s first cultural building in California.

    “It is always a pleasure to welcome spectacular works of art back to Sotheby’s” said  Anthony Grant, Sotheby’s Vice Chairman, Americas. “We last offered the painting in 1990 as part of the Saatchi Collection. The brilliance of the artist’s gestural genius is on full display as the written form dissolves into a nuanced grey background. All of us who know and care about the arts in Los Angeles have benefited from the extraordinary generosity of Audrey Irmas and her late husband Sydney, and so we are thrilled to be offering this Twombly masterpiece to benefit such a wonderful cause.”

    A SUNDAY INTERIORS AUCTION AT JAMES ADAM, DUBLIN

    Tuesday, September 15th, 2015

    The Sunday Interiors sale at James Adam in Dublin on September 20 offers everything from a portrait of Casimir Markievicz to a Victorian silver claret jug.  There are 400 lots of furniture, paintings, silver and decorative arts. Here is a small sample.  The catalogue is online.

    A VICTORIAN SILVER REPOUSSÉ CLARET JUG, London 1878 (2,000-3,000).

    A VICTORIAN SILVER REPOUSSÉ CLARET JUG, London 1878 (2,000-3,000). UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,900

    HUGH DOUGLAS HAMILTON RHA (1734-1808) Viscountess Lifford (4,000-6,000)

    HUGH DOUGLAS HAMILTON RHA (1734-1808) Viscountess Lifford (4,000-6,000)  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 3,500 AT HAMMER

    IRISH BREAKFRONT MAHOGANY BOOKCASE, c.1920 (2,000-3,000).

    IRISH BREAKFRONT MAHOGANY BOOKCASE, c.1920 (2,000-3,000).  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 2,000

    A portrait of Casimir Markievicz attributed to John Butler Yeats (1839-1922) (3,000-5,000)

    A portrait of Casimir Markievicz attributed to John Butler Yeats (1839-1922) (3,000-5,000)  UPDATE: THIS WAS WITHDRAWN

    ANDY WARHOL’S PRINTMAKING INNOVATIONS AT LONDON SALE

    Monday, September 14th, 2015

    The breadth of Andy Warhol’s work and his innovations in printmaking will be highlighted at Sotheby’s biannual prints and multiples sale in London on September 29.  The auction will feature more than 30 lots by the artist – 89 prints in total – comprising both single works and complete sets.  There are two private collections, one a private Slovakian collection, the other from the family of Hermann Wunsche, which offer insight into Warhol’s importance in Europe.   Wunsche co-ordinated the first catalogue raisonne of Warhol’s editions which was published in Germany in 1980.

    Goethe The complete portfolio, comprising four screenprints in colours, 1982 (£60,000-80,000).

    Goethe
    The complete portfolio, comprising four screenprints in colours, 1982 (£60,000-80,000).

    The Star Screenprint in a unique combination of colours, 1981, from Myths (£25,000-35,000)

    The Star
    Screenprint in a unique combination of colours, 1981, from Myths (£25,000-35,000)

    Cowboys and Indians The complete set, comprising ten screenprints in colours, 1986 (£130,000-180,000)

    Cowboys and Indians
    The complete set, comprising ten screenprints in colours, 1986 (£130,000-180,000)

    SHEPPARDS SALE AT CAPARD HOUSE, CO. LAOIS

    Friday, September 11th, 2015

    With more than 1,100 lots the sale of the John Farrington Collection by Sheppards on September 22 and 23 offers an across the board selection of furniture, art, garden furniture, jewellery and the range associated with the big house.  This is a two day on the premises house auction at Capard House, Rosenallis, Co. Laois. To avoid heavy traffic associated with Ireland’s National Ploughing Championships the advice for motorway drivers is to exit the M7 at Junction 18.  Here is a small selection:

    One of a pair of large powder blue Chinese vases, Qing Period (30,000-40,000).

    One of a pair of large powder blue Chinese vases, Qing Period (30,000-40,000).

    George III mahogany, satinwood and marquetry bureau (1,500-2,500).

    George III mahogany, satinwood and marquetry bureau (1,500-2,500).

    Large ebony and gilt wood console table (3,000-5,000).

    Large ebony and gilt wood console table (3,000-5,000).

     

    An Irish George III three pillar dining table (40,000-60,000).

    An Irish George III three pillar dining table (40,000-60,000).

    A monumental George III giltwood mirror (15,000-25,000).

    A monumental George III giltwood mirror (15,000-25,000).

    RARE SANCAI CERAMICS FROM TANG DYNASTY AT CHRISTIE’S HONG KONG

    Friday, September 11th, 2015

    A selection of Chinese ceramics and works of art will come up at Christie’s Pavilion sale in Hong Kong on October 2. Rare sancai ceramics from the Tang dynasty will be presented, in addition to a wide array of beautifully carved jade and precious stone ornaments and accessories; ceramics from the Song to the Qing dynasties, alongside bamboo, wood, lacquer and bronzes.  Here is a taster.

    A large sancai glazed tripod dish, Tang Dynasty (US$130,000-260,000).

    A large sancai glazed tripod dish, Tang Dynasty (US$130,000-260,000).  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR US$347,352

    A small tourmaline box and cover, Qing Dynasty (US$11,000-16,000).

    A small tourmaline box and cover, Qing Dynasty (US$11,000-16,000).

    Fine jade carvings from the Yidetang collection.

    Fine jade carvings from the Yidetang collection.

    FRENCH CROWN JEWELS ANYONE?

    Thursday, September 10th, 2015
    The Dowager Countess of Harcourt diamond necklace of about 65 carats. (US$1.3-1.9 million).

    The Dowager Countess of Harcourt diamond necklace of about 65 carats. (US$1.3-1.9 million).  UPDATE: TIFFANY PURCHASED THIS FOR US$1,548,718

    The Dowager Viscountess Harcourt diamond necklace incorporating 28 diamonds from the landmark 1887 auction of the French Crown Jewels will come up at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong on October 7.  The necklace is accompanied by thorough documentation of its passage through various notable owners over more than a century.  After the Third Republic of France was formed the Ministry of Finance decided to sell the once exclusive property of kings and queens in a public auction in 1887. Jewellers from Europe, North Africa and the United States flocked to the sale, along with European aristocrats and wealthy Americans.  Tiffany was rumoured to have purchased about one third of the lots including 28 mine cut old diamonds from the Great Comb a Pampilles.  They were sold a week later to Junius Morgan of the English banking family. They were passed to his young grand daughter Mary Burns who became Viscountess Harcourt in 1899.  The first Viscount Harcourt had the diamond chains remounted into the present necklace around 1900.  It is estimated at US$1.3-1.9 million.

    The sale offers a selection of superb natural coloured gemstones, diamonds, jadeite and jewels from the most coveted brands worldwide, including iconic designs from Cartier from the 1920s to the present. Among these is a ‘Panther’ ring featuring a 10.62-carat natural Burmese ruby.

    Pride of place goes to the Cowdray Pearls, one of the finest and rarest grey pearl necklaces known (US$4.5 – 7 million).  Formerly in the collection of Viscountess Cowdray, Lady Pearson (1860 – 1932), a distinguished connoisseur and collector, this magnificent necklace strung and mounted by Cartier comprises 42 extremely rare and superb natural grey saltwater pearls well-matched in lustre, shape and size. They are accompanied by a pair of natural grey pearl earrings with mounts by Cartier London.

    The Cowdray Pearls (US$4.5 – 7 million).

    The Cowdray Pearls (US$4.5 – 7 million).  UPDATE: THEY SOLD FOR US$5,266,667

    A 10.62 carat Burmese Mogok ruby, onyx and diamond ring. (|US$2.3-3.2 million).

    A 10.62 carat Burmese Mogok ruby, onyx and diamond ring. (|US$2.3-3.2 million).

    SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT MORGAN O’DRISCOLL’S ART SALE IN DUBLIN

    Wednesday, September 9th, 2015

    There is something to suit all tastes at Morgan O’Driscoll’s Irish and International art auction at the RDS on September 14.  The sale of 110 lots features mostly Irish art and sculpture, but some international artists are represented as well.  You do not, for example, see art by Robert Motherwell cropping up every day at auction in Ireland.  The screen print by Motherwell in this sale, from his London series, was at Marlborough Fine Art in London and then in a private collection.  The Pig Market by the Cork 19th century artist Charles Henry Cook (c1830-1906) is one rarity. It is estimated at 3,000-5,000. Born in Bandon he exhibited at the Royal Hibernian Academy in the 1860’s and ’70’s from an address at Patrick St. in Cork.  St. Patrick’s Day by Cook is in the collection of the National Library of Ireland.  The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection:

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for September 2, 2015).

    ALICE MAHER (B.1956)RED ARCH / ARCHWAY (1995) (1,000-1,500).

    ALICE MAHER (B.1956) – RED ARCH / ARCHWAY (1995) (1,000-1,500).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 900 AT HAMMER

    ROBERT MOTHERWELL (1915-1991) AMERICAN LONDON SERIES I: UNTITLED (GREEN) (1971) (1,000-1,500)

    ROBERT MOTHERWELL (1915-1991) AMERICAN:  LONDON SERIES I: UNTITLED (GREEN) (1971) (1,000-1,500)  UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,500 AT HAMMER

    Column by Edward Delaney (1,000-1,500).

    Column by Edward Delaney (1,000-1,500).  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    The Pig Market by Charles Henry Cook (3,000-5,000).

    The Pig Market by Charles Henry Cook (3,000-5,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 2,400 AT HAMMER