antiquesandartireland.com

Information about Art, Antiques and Auctions in Ireland and around the world
  • ABOUT
  • About Des
  • Contact
  • Archive for the ‘AUCTIONS’ Category

    MEALY’S TO HOLD ANTIQUE AUCTION IN DUBLIN

    Friday, June 7th, 2013

    More than 400 lots will come under the hammer in an auction by Mealy’s of Castlecomer at the Conrad Hotel in Dublin on June 23.  Titled the Dublin Residence Sale it comprises lots from four private collections and features Irish art, period furniture, Indian and South East Asian art.  The catalogue is on-line.  Here is a small selection (click on any image to enlarge it):

    AN IRISH CARVED MAHOGANY SIDE TABLE, probably by Butler of Dublin, late 19th century, early 20th century (4,000-6,000).

    AN IRISH CARVED MAHOGANY SIDE TABLE, probably by Butler of Dublin, late 19th century, early 20th century (4,000-6,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 4,400

    PATRICK O` REILLY (B.1957) Shamen, 1/1 unique (5,000-7,000).

    PATRICK O` REILLY (B.1957) Shamen, 1/1 unique (5,000-7,000). UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD.

    AN IRISH VICTORIAN KILLARNEY YEW WOOD AND MARQUETRY LIBRARY OR CENTRE TABLE, (6,000-9,000).

    AN IRISH VICTORIAN KILLARNEY YEW WOOD AND MARQUETRY LIBRARY OR CENTRE TABLE, (6,000-9,000). UPDATE: THIS MADE 7,000

    ATTRIBUTED TO JOHN BUTTS (1728-1765), Figures by Powerscourt Waterfall (15,000-25,000).

    ATTRIBUTED TO JOHN BUTTS (1728-1765), Figures by Powerscourt Waterfall (15,000-25,000). UPDATE: WITHDRAWN AT 12,000

    AN EXCEPTIONAL PLUM PUDDING MAHOGANY AND SATINWOOD GRAND PIANO, by Erard of Paris, no 80080, 13 & 21 Rue du Miul Paris (12,000-18,000).

    AN EXCEPTIONAL PLUM PUDDING MAHOGANY AND SATINWOOD GRAND PIANO, by Erard of Paris, no 80080, 13 & 21 Rue du Miul Paris (12,000-18,000). UPDATE: THIS MADE 12,000

     

    A CARVED WOODEN INDIAN DOOR, 17th/18th century, profusely decorated with fifteen unique panels (1,800-2,500).

    A CARVED WOODEN INDIAN DOOR, 17th/18th century, profusely decorated with fifteen unique panels (1,800-2,500). UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,450

    PATRICK HENNESSY R.H.A. (1915-1980) Five Roses, still life (4,000-6,000)PATRICK HENNESSY R.H.A. (1915-1980) Five Roses, still life (4,000-6,000) UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD.

    BASQUIAT AND DOIG MASTERPIECES AT CHRISTIE’S

    Friday, June 7th, 2013

    Masterpieces by Jean Michael Basquiat and Peter Doig feature at Christie’s post war and contemporary art evening auction in London on June 25.  Both artists have recently achieved new world records at Christie’s.  The sale will feature iconic works by international post war masters including Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Yves Klein and Nicolas de Stael.

    Francis Outred, head of post war and contemporary art Europe said: “Following the huge success of the New York auctions in May when Christies achieved the highest total for any auction in history, the London sales follow with a rich choice of material, presenting a fabulous opportunity to see pivotal paintings from the 1950s to today. Beyond the top lots – masterpieces by Basquiat and Doig – we have Pop paintings from key moments in the careers of Lichtenstein and Warhol, as well as rare conceptual and minimalist works by Blinky Palermo and Brice Marden. From Europe, two important works by de Staël, hidden for years, show how he changed painting in the 1950’s”.  (Click on either image to enlarge).

    UPDATE:  THE Post-War & Contemporary Art auction realised a total of £70,253,225, selling 90% by value and 80% by lot.  The Untitled work by Basquiat was the top lot.

    Peter Doig (b. 1959) Jetty Painted in 1994 (£4-6 million). Courtesy Christie's Images Lt.d, 2013.

    Peter Doig (b. 1959) Jetty Painted in 1994 (£4-6 million). Courtesy Christie’s Images Lt.d, 2013.  UPDATE: THIS MADE £7,341,875

    Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) Untitled 1982.  (Christie's Images Ltd., 2013).

    Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) Untitled 1982. (Christie’s Images Ltd., 2013).  UPDATE: THIS MADE £18,765,875

    WORKS FROM PRIVATE COLLECTIONS AT SOTHEBY’S ON JUNE 19

    Thursday, June 6th, 2013
    PIET MONDRIAN 1872 - 1944 COMPOSITION WITH RED, YELLOW AND BLUE oil on canvas in the artist's original frame 1927 (£4,500,000-£6,500,000).

    PIET MONDRIAN 1872 – 1944 COMPOSITION WITH RED, YELLOW AND BLUE oil on canvas in the artist’s original frame 1927 (£4,500,000-£6,500,000). UPDATE: THIS MADE £9,266,500.

    The Impressionist and Modern Art evening sale at Sotheby’s in London on June 19 will feature works from a number of private collections and is expected to bring in more than £75 million.  A view of Venice by Monet from 1908 is estimated at £15-20 million.  There are paintings by works by Wassily Kandinsky, Joan Miró and Alexander Calder from the the collection of Branco Weiss alongside Modern, Surrealist and sculptural works.

    Helena Newman chairman of Sotheby’s Impressionist and Modern Art Department, Europe, said:

    With the breadth of today’s global art market in mind, we have assembled a sale that responds to the taste and demand that have been driving the success of Sotheby’s recent sales. Our Impressionist & Modern Art Sale in New York this May saw clients compete for high-calibre estate property, and our June  sale in London maintains the continuity, bringing together an extremely strong selection of works, many of which are from private collections and now come to the market for the first time in decades. We are thrilled that Claude Monet’s view of Venice will lead the sale. With its ravishing palette and modern aesthetic – which is what many of today’s top collectors are looking for – this is a work of timeless appeal. Looking at the sale in broader terms, we are offering works that span the 1870s through to 1982, supreme Impressionist works through to Modern masterpieces, from Monet to Mondrian.”

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for May 31, 2013).

     

    MASTERPIECES OF EUROPEAN FURNITURE AT CHRISTIE’S

    Wednesday, June 5th, 2013
    Thje Ogden Mills armoires at Christie's.

    Thje Ogden Mills armoires at Christie’s.  UPDATE: SOLD FOR £935,475

    The Exceptional Sale which offers collectors a chance to acquire masterpieces of European furniture and decorative arts takes places at Christie’s in London on July 4.  The sale offers fine examples of English, French and German furniture, ormolu mounted Chinese porcelain, silver, European porcelain, clocks, sculpture, portrait miniatures and objects of vert.  The auction of 48 lots is expected to realize more than £18 million.

    Robert Copley. head of furniture and decorative arts at Christie’s said: …” once again this year we offer the collector the very best European decorative arts and furniture; from a magnificent coffee-pot made by England’s finest silversmith to furniture made by France’s greatest cabinet maker; from a Maharaja’s dinner-service to a porcelain vase-clock from the Palace of Versailles. The rich and varied works in the ‘The Exceptional Sale’ are united by the common themes of rarity, provenance, craftsmanship and beauty.”

    The Ogden Mills “Armoires a Sept Medailles” is estimated at £1-1.5 million. It was acquired around 1910 by the philanthropist and collector Ogden Mills for his Parisian residence.  The Louis XIV armoire in contra-partie marquetry is attributed to Andre Charles Boulle while the late Louis XV in première partie is by Delorme.  They are decorated to the doors with medals celebrating the life of Louis XIV as well as the figures of Aspasia and Socrates. Conceived initially with shelves to house collections of precious medals this series of armoires proved so successful it remained in production in Boulle’s workshop throughout the first half of the 18th century and was continued by Boulle’s followers.

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for May 22, 2013

    CORK SILVER BRANDY SAUCEPAN MAKES 8,000

    Sunday, June 2nd, 2013
    An 18th century Cork silver brandy warmer by William Clarke.

    An 18th century Cork silver brandy saucepan by William Clarke..  (Click on image to enlarge).

     A c1750 Irish George II library chair made 2,400 at hammer at the St. Fin Barre's auction.

    A c1750 Irish George II library chair made 2,400 at hammer at the St. Fin Barre’s auction.

    This large c1730 Cork silver brandy saucepan by William Clarke sold for 8,000 at the St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral fundraising auction by Sheppards at Fota in Cork. It weighs 678 grams.

    The total turnover for the auction was 149,450 including buyers’ premium of 23,988, all of which is being donated by Sheppards to the cathedral.
    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for May 23, 2013).

    ANTIQUE, TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY FIREPLACE IN DUBLIN AUCTION

    Sunday, June 2nd, 2013

    Antique, traditional and contemporary fireplaces will come under the hammer at an auction in Dublin on June 8.  Matthews Auctioneers of Capel  St. will offer the collection of Niall Woods, the founder, in 1980 of Belle Cheminee. The sale will include 500 lots from the shop at 106 Capel St. and from the home of Mr. Woods in Co. Meath.  There is over 100 fireplaces and 60 over mantles as well as fireplace accessories and garden ornaments.  Estimates range from 100 to 35,000.    Viewing is at Belle Cheminee from June 6.  Here is a small selection.

    The auction of contents from Belle Cheminee, Capel St., Dublin.

    The auction of contents from Belle Cheminee, Capel St., Dublin.

    Some of the appetizing lots on offer.

    Some of the appetizing lots on offer.

    BECKETT’S MANUSCRIPT OF “MURPHY” AT SOTHEBY’S IN JULY

    Friday, May 31st, 2013
    Pages from the manuscript showing a portrait of James Joyce on the lower left. (Click on image to enlarge).

    Pages from the manuscript showing a portrait of James Joyce on the lower left. (Click on image to enlarge).

    A heavily corrected manuscript page.  (Click on image to enlarge).

    A heavily corrected manuscript page. (Click on image to enlarge).

    One of the most important 20th century working manuscripts remaining in private hands – Samuel Beckett’s first novel, “Murphy” – will come up at Sotheby’s in London on July 10. Thought capable of re-defining Beckett studies it is estimated at £800,000-£1 million.

    Handwritten in six exercise books between August 1935 and June 1936 in Dublin and London whilst Beckett was undergoing psychoanalysis, the manuscript, initially entitled “Sasha Murphy” is heavily revised throughout.  The hundreds of cancellations and revisions bear witness to Beckett’s struggle to give form to his artistic vision.  The novel is characterised by exuberant language and is the most comic of all Beckett’s works, although it also has deep philosophical roots. The plot concerns the eponymous Murphy’s attempts to find peace in the nothingness of the “little world” of the mind without intrusion  from the outside world. Spurred on to find employment by his prostitute girlfriend, Murphy finds some tranquillity working in an insane asylum before accidentally immolating himself in his garret.

    The notebooks are also full of lively doodles hinting at the author’s preoccupations during this period, including recognisable portraits of James Joyce, Beckett himself, and Charlie Chaplin (later an influence on the tramps in Waiting for Godot), as well as astrological symbols and musical notations.

    Peter Selley, Sotheby’s Senior Specialist in Books and Manuscripts commented: “This is unquestionably the most important manuscript of a complete novel by a modern British or Irish writer to appear at auction for many decades. I have known about the existence of this remarkable manuscript for a long time – as have a number of others in the rare book business, and some Beckett scholars – but it has only been glimpsed, tantalizingly, by a few chosen individuals during that time. The notebooks contain almost infinite riches for all those – whether scholars or collectors – interested in this most profound of modern writers, who more than anyone else, perhaps, captures the essence of modern man. The manuscript is capable of redefining Beckett studies for many years to come”.

    MONET VIEW OF VENICE AT SOTHEBY’S

    Friday, May 31st, 2013
    Claude Monet Le Palais Contarini  (£15-20 million). (Click on image to enlarge).

    Claude Monet Le Palais Contarini (£15-20 million). (Click on image to enlarge). UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR £19,682,500.

    Sotheby’s has marked tomorrows opening of the Venice Biennale with an announcement that it will offer a view of Venice by Claude Monet in London on June 19.  The Contarini Palace was painted during a three month trip to Venice in 1908.

    Estimated at £15-20 million it will highlight Sotheby’s evening sale of Impressionist and Modern Art.  The sale includes works by Picasso, Mondrian and Kandinsky.

    The 55th international art exhibition that is the Venice Biennale 2013 runs from June 1 to November 24.

    EXPRESSIONIST MASTERPIECE BY KANDINSKY AT CHRISTIE’S

    Friday, May 31st, 2013
    Studie zu Improvisation 3 by Wassily Kandinsky is estimated at £12.18 million. CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2013 (CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE).

    Studie zu Improvisation 3 by Wassily Kandinsky is estimated at £12.18 million. CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD. 2013 (CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE). UPDATE: IT MADE £13,501,875

     

    La tige de la fleur rouge pousse vers la lune (The Stem of the Red Flower Grows Toward the Moon) by Joan Miró (1893-1983) is estimated at £5.2 to 7 million. CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2013 (CLICK TO ENLARGE).

    La tige de la fleur rouge pousse vers la lune (The Stem of the Red Flower Grows Toward the Moon) by Joan Miró (1893-1983) is estimated at £5.2 to 7 million. CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD. 2013 (CLICK TO ENLARGE).

    Wassily Kandinsky’s Expressionist masterpiece Studie zu Improvisation 3 leads Christie’s  Impressionist and Modern Art sale in London on June 18.  Most of the works from the series are in major institutions.  This third study is estimated at £12-18 million.

    The London sale of 44 lots presents a vareity of inspiring works from the roots of Impressionism evident in Eugène Boudin’s (1824-1898) 1864 painting Scène de plage (£500,000-700,000) to Henry Moore’s Stone Form, a unique abstract in granite from 1984 (£1.2-1.8 million). The sale is expected to bring in from an estimated range from £52 to 75 million.
    UPDATE:   The sale realed £64,076,575,  selling 84% by lot and 87% by value. The top price was paid for Kandinsky’s Studie zu Improvisation 3, 1909.

    WORLD RECORD FOR PAUL HENRY AT ADAMS

    Wednesday, May 29th, 2013

    There was a world record price for a Paul Henry at James Adam in Dublin this evening.  The Potato Diggers sold for a hammer price of 400,000.  It had been estimated at 250,000-350,000. It was bought by an Irish family living abroad.  Five bidders chased the work, which went up from 120,000 in tens and twenties. Around the 320,000 mark a couple of bidders dropped out and two bidders chased it from 350,000 to 400,000.  The previous record for a Paul Henry was a hammer price of  300,000 for The Turf Gatherer, part of the collection of Dr. J. B. Kearney sold at Adams in December 2007.

    The other Paul Henry in the auction, a landscape with cottages sold for 130,000. In general bidding was good and there was a lot of interest in the Irish art on offer.

    The Potato Diggers by Paul Henry at Adams.  Click on image to enlarge.

    The Potato Diggers by Paul Henry at Adams. Click on image to enlarge.