antiquesandartireland.com

Information about Art, Antiques and Auctions in Ireland and around the world
  • ABOUT
  • About Des
  • Contact

    • Archive for the ‘AUCTIONS’ Category

    RECORD HALF YEAR SALES OF £2.9 BILLION AT CHRISTIE’S

    Monday, July 20th, 2015
    PABLO PICASSO Les femmes d'Alger (Version "O") © 2015 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

    PABLO PICASSO
    Les femmes d’Alger (Version “O”) © 2015 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York sold in May for a world record of $179.4 million.

    Record half year sales of £2.9 billion, up 8% on the same period for 2014, were announced by Christie’s today.  The auction house said that results were underpinned by strong results across numerous categories including Impressionist and Modern, Post-War and Contemporary Art and Asian Art. Curatorial innovation and a revised sales calendar have attracted collectors at all levels and Christie’s continues to invest in online platforms as well as traditional salerooms and private sales.  New clients represented 24% of buyers. The number of middle market buyers grew by 14%.

    Patricia Barbizet, Christie’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “During the first half of 2015 Christie’s clients spanned 99 countries, demonstrating how truly international sales activity is at all levels and reflecting the expanse of the art market. We are meeting new demands while continuing to show strength in core categories and maintaining market share. Buyer activity of lots between £100,000 and £1,000,000 continues to grow, with the number of buyers up 14%.  Our early investment in online and E-commerce platforms continues to add value across the business. We look forward to more innovative collaboration across categories and regions during the second half and remain fluid as we challenge traditional models of auction for new models of selling art.”

    Tags: , ,
    Posted in ART, AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES | Comments Off on RECORD HALF YEAR SALES OF £2.9 BILLION AT CHRISTIE’S

    A FIRST WORLD WAR UNIFORM AT FONSIE MEALY’S SALE

    Sunday, July 19th, 2015
    An exceptionally complete set of personal belongings of Major E.F. Farrell of Co. Meath

    An exceptionally complete set of personal belongings of Major E.F. Farrell of Co. Meath  UPDATE: THIS MADE 7,250 AT HAMMER

    An exceptionally complete uniform and personal belongings of Major E.F. Farrell, an officer of the Leinster Regiment during World War I, comes up at Fonsie Mealy’s two day sale in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny on July 21-22.  The set is estimated at 1,000-1,500.  This auction will feature more than 80 tractor seats in mint condition from a collection. The seats, from Ireland, England, Scotland the US, are to be sold as individual lots with estimates from 40 up to 300.

    Among more than 1,000 lots is a fine salver by Paul Storr (6,000-8,000), a heart shaped 19th century diamond locket with 63 stones (7,000-9,000) and a half length portrait of Lady Gregory by Sir Gerald Festus Kelly (8,000-12,000). The last remaining stained glass windows from the Harry Clarke Studios, which closed in 1973, will be offered in seven lots at estimates from 400 to 9,000. There are paintings formerly in the collection of Judge James Murnaghan of Dublin and a big selection of antique furniture, art, glass, porcelain and collectibles.

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for July 4, 2015).

    A large English salver by Paul Storr, London c1824 (6,000-8,000).

    A large English salver by Paul Storr, London c1824 (6,000-8,000).  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 8,200 AT HAMMER

    A 19th century heart shaped diamond locket with 63 stones (7,000-9,000).

    A 19th century heart shaped diamond locket with 63 stones (7,000-9,000).  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 16,500 AT HAMMER

    An R and F Keane, Cappoquin, tractor seat (150-200).

    An R and F Keane, Cappoquin, tractor seat (150-200).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 300 EURO

    A cinquefoil stained glass panel by Richard King "God the Father and Holy Spirit" from the Harry Clarke Studios, formerly on display at All Hallows College in Dublin (2,000-3,000).

    A cinquefoil stained glass panel by Richard King “God the Father and Holy Spirit” from the Harry Clarke Studios, formerly on display at All Hallows College in Dublin (2,000-3,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 8,500 AT HAMMER

    Tags: , ,
    Posted in ART, AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES, FURNITURE | Comments Off on A FIRST WORLD WAR UNIFORM AT FONSIE MEALY’S SALE

    IRISH LONGCASE CLOCK BY ISAAC BULL AT ASHGROVE AUCTION

    Saturday, July 18th, 2015
    An Irish mahogany  long case clock and a George IV Irish dining table are among the lots from the estate of Sylvia (Williams) Fairtlough to be sold by Ashgrove Auctioneers in Ballybrittas, Co. Laois on July 21. Mrs. Fairtlough, of Ashfield Court, Ballybrittas, was a well known antiques dealer and dog breeder, who judged for Crufts. She was married to Richard Williams, a director of Tullamore Distilleries who died in 1968, and then to Geoffrey Fairtlough, who also pre-deceased her.  Sylvia Fairtlough died in 2009.
    The clock, by Isaac Bull of Dublin has an estimate of 1,500-2,500. The triple section dining table is estimated at 800-1,200. Other lots include six 19th century Irish dining chairs (800-1,200), a Victorian ebonised baby grand piano (400-600), a Chinese jade censer, ivory, 18th century oil paintings, African Tribal art, watercolours, silver and plate, ceramics, Irish and other glass and various collectibles.   The catalogue is online.
    UPDATE:  The auction realized 105,000 and Ashgrove are running a timed online  auction of unsold lots until Monday, July 27. A pair of Victorian mirrors sold for 2,500 and a 19th century campaign chest sold for 2,400.
    A George III longcase clock by Isaac Bull of Dublin.

    A George III longcase clock by Isaac Bull of Dublin.  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 1,700

    A Chinese jade censer.

    A Chinese jade censer.  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    Tags: ,
    Posted in AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES, FURNITURE | Comments Off on IRISH LONGCASE CLOCK BY ISAAC BULL AT ASHGROVE AUCTION

    SOTHEBY’S RECORDS 28% INCREASE IN ONLINE BIDDERS

    Friday, July 17th, 2015
    Andy Warhol's One Dollar Bill (Silver Certificate) selling for £20.9 million.

    Andy Warhol’s One Dollar Bill (Silver Certificate) selling for £20.9 million.

    A significant growth in online transactions including a 28% increase in online bidders so far in 2015 was reported by Sotheby’s today.  In what has been a good season for the auction house there has been  a 45% increase in the number of lots purchased online and a 35% increase in value spent by online buyers this year.

    The Impressionist and Modern Art sales series in London achieved a 40% rise compared to the values of 2014 and Contemporary Art sales are 30% up in value terms. The Impressionist and Modern sale recorded an increase of 20% in geographical reach and 20% of Contemporary Art buyers were new to this category.  In the Old Masters sales series there was a doubling in the number of buyers from Asia and an 18% increase in buyers from Russia.

    Overall there has been an increase of 30% in new buyers at Sotheby’s this year.  There has been a 51% increase in spend by Chinese buyers and a 35% increase in the number of buyers from China.

    Tags: ,
    Posted in AUCTIONS | Comments Off on SOTHEBY’S RECORDS 28% INCREASE IN ONLINE BIDDERS

    SOME SURPRISES AT MEALY’S MID-SUMMER SALE

    Thursday, July 16th, 2015

    Nearly every auction springs some surprises and Mealy’s mid summer sale of 600 lots in Castlecomer this week was no exception. The top lot was the magnificent Donegal Carpet commissioned half a century ago for New Ireland Assurance in Dublin which sold for 18,000 at hammer.  No surprises here.  More surprising was the 5,250 hammer price for a bronze figure of Michael Collins in uniform by J. Flynn. Just under 28″ tall it had been estimated at 1,500-2,500.  Lot 277, an unusual Famille Rose wall pocket in the shape of a vase – estimated at 200-300 – sold for 4,600 on the hammer and lot 601, a Doulton stoneware oil lamp with an estimate of 250-350 made 1,955 on the hammer. The auction was 71% sold and brought in 205,000 on the hammer. One major lot which failed to fine a buyer, a 19th century Irish granite fountain, is likely to be sold privately.

    (See posts on antiquesandartireland.com for July 11 and July 8, 2015).

    This bronze of Michael Collins by J. Flynn sold for 5,250 over an estimate of 1,500-2,500.

    This bronze of Michael Collins by J. Flynn sold for 5,250 over an estimate of 1,500-2,500.

    An unusual Doulton stoneware oil lamp made 1,955 at hammer.

    An unusual Doulton stoneware oil lamp made 1,955 at hammer.

    This Famille Rose wall pocket sold for 4,600.

    This Famille Rose wall pocket sold for 4,600.

    Tags: ,
    Posted in AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES | Comments Off on SOME SURPRISES AT MEALY’S MID-SUMMER SALE

    STUDY FOR “FLAMING JUNE” SELLS FOR £167,000

    Wednesday, July 15th, 2015

    The only known head study for one of the most famous masterpieces of the nineteenth century, Frederic, Lord Leighton’s Flaming June sold to an American private collector for £167,000 at Sotheby’s in London today.  The pencil and white chalk study sold for four times it pre sale low estimate (£40,000-60,000) to make an auction record for a work on paper by the artist.

    Various museums possess studies for the draperies in Flaming June, for the nude figure and for the overall composition, but this unique head study was only known from an illustration in the Magazine of Art of 1895. It was rediscovered hanging on a bedroom wall at West Horsley Place, the 400-acre Surrey estate that was home to the late Mary, Duchess of Roxburghe, by Sotheby’s Victorian Art specialist Simon Toll. The head study represents one of the most important surviving drawings relating to this famous painting and provides the missing link in the preparatory work for what has become known as ‘The Mona Lisa of the Southern Hemisphere’.

    The sale also featured Leighton’s oil painting Catarina, another re-discovery, which sold to an UK private collector for £233,000 against a pre-sale estimate of £100,000-150,000.

    Frederic, Lord Leighton - Study for Flaming June - sold for £167,000.

    Frederic, Lord Leighton – Study for Flaming June – sold for £167,000.

    Frederic, Lord Leighton - Catarina -sold for £233,000.

    Frederic, Lord Leighton – Catarina -sold for £233,000.

     

    Tags: ,
    Posted in ART, AUCTIONS | Comments Off on STUDY FOR “FLAMING JUNE” SELLS FOR £167,000

    DIVANI SOFA AT DE VERES ONLINE AUCTION

    Wednesday, July 15th, 2015

    AN Italian leather corner sofa by Max Divani is among the highlights at the online sale of paintings and contemporary design furniture now on at de Veres, Dublin.  The 190 lot sale runs until July 21 at 6 p.m.  The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection:

    An Italian leather L shaped sofa by Max Divani (1,000-1,500)

    An Italian leather L shaped sofa by Max Divani (1,000-1,500) UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 4,050

    A set of six dining chairs by Sacha Lakic for Roch Bobois (800-1,200)

    A set of six dining chairs by Sacha Lakic for Roch Bobois (800-1,200)  UPDATE: THESE MADE 2,350

    Rosaleen Davey - Still Life (1,000-2,000).

    Rosaleen Davey – Still Life (1,000-2,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,240 EURO

    20th century British modern school Milk Jugs (800-1.200)

    20th century British modern school Milk Jugs (800-1.200) UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 1,020

     

    Tags: ,
    Posted in ART, AUCTIONS, FURNITURE | Comments Off on DIVANI SOFA AT DE VERES ONLINE AUCTION

    IRISH SILVER LEMON STRAINER THE SLEEPER LOT AT SOMERSET SALE

    Tuesday, July 14th, 2015
    The Limerick silver lemon strainer by Joseph Johns.

    The Limerick silver lemon strainer by Joseph Johns.

    A rare Irish silver lemon strainer by the Limerick maker Joseph Johns made £14,000 over an estimate of £600-800 at Lawrences Auctioneers, Crewkerne, Somerset today.  It was the sleeper lot in an auction of fine art, silver and vertu.

    What makes it so special is that there are only two other such strainers by this maker known.

    It was described by the auctioneers as a rare George II/III Irish Provincial lemon strainer with twin shaped handles.  Each of the handles is pierced with a heart shaped motif and a chased border of flowers and scrolls.  The maker’s mark, struck twice, is that of Joseph Johns of Limerick.  The strainer is eleven inches long and weighs 5.25 ozs.

    Tags: ,
    Posted in AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES | Comments Off on IRISH SILVER LEMON STRAINER THE SLEEPER LOT AT SOMERSET SALE

    ALICE IN WONDERLAND BUTTONS AT SOTHEBY’S

    Monday, July 13th, 2015
    ALICE LIDDELL'S SILVER BUTTONS

    ALICE LIDDELL’S SILVER BUTTONS  UPDATE: THESE SOLD FOR £2,500

    Two silver buttons belonging to Alice Pleasance Liddell (1852-1934) who inspired Lewis Carroll to write “Alice in Wonderland” come up at Sotheby’s sale of English Literature, History, Children’s Books and Illustrations in London on July 14. Estimated at £2,000-3,000, the pair of cherub-shaped art nouveau buttons were “worn from childhood to the date of her death”, according to the inscription on the presentation box accompanying them.

    In 1862, an Oxford don, Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll’s real name), took the three daughters of the Dean of Christ Church college Oxford, including his young friend Alice, on a picnic. When the girls cried out for Carroll to tell them a story, he complied by beginning a tale about Alice’s adventures down a rabbit hole. And thus, two of the great children’s classics of all time were born: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There.

    Tags: , ,
    Posted in AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES | Comments Off on ALICE IN WONDERLAND BUTTONS AT SOTHEBY’S

    A SPECIALLY COMMISSIONED DONEGAL CARPET AT MEALY’S

    Saturday, July 11th, 2015
    A  large royal blue ground Donegal carpet inscribed with a harp, a gold link border and Celtic motifs comes up at Mealy’s one day sale in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny on July 15.  The New Ireland carpet, measuring 13.7 metros by 5 metres, was a complex commission by New Ireland Assurance for their Dublin office in 1964.  The medallion detail is 64 knots per square inch as against 16 in the main body. The junction is imperceptible and the carpet is estimated at 15,000-25,000.  In its heyday the Donegal Factory, at Killybegs, supplied carpets to the Oval Office and Buckingham Palace.
    A late 19th century cut granite Irish fountain is estimated at 20,000-30,000.  The sale features a monumental William IV side table estimated at 15,000-20,000 and a full sized billiard table among more than 600 lots.  The catalogue is online.
    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for July 8, 2015).
    The New Ireland Donegal carpet.

    The New Ireland Donegal carpet. UPDATE: THIS MADE A HAMMER PRICE OF 18,000

    A large 19th century Irish cut granite fountain.

    A large 19th century Irish cut granite fountain.  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    Tags: ,
    Posted in AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES, FURNITURE | Comments Off on A SPECIALLY COMMISSIONED DONEGAL CARPET AT MEALY’S

    « Older Entries
    Newer Entries »