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    A COPPER SAUCEPAN FROM THE SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL

    Monday, November 16th, 2015
    The Sebastopol saucepan.

    The Sebastopol saucepan.  UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR £300

    One of the more unusual items at Thomas del Mar’s auction of arms and militaria in London on December 2 is a copper saucepan.  Not just any copper saucepan. This one has strong historic connections and is from the Crimea. It is inscribed:  “taken from the ruins of Sebastopol, the day after the fall, Septr 9, 1855” by A Farquharson, cook of the S.S. Imperatrix. It is estimated at £150-200.

    The siege of Sebastopol had lasted a year, from September 1854 to September 1855 and is regarded as one of the classic sieges of all time. It was the final episode of the Crimean War.

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    AN ORIGINAL PROCLAMATION AT SOTHEBY’S

    Friday, November 13th, 2015
    An image of part of the Proclamation.

    An image of part of the Proclamation.

    An original copy of the Proclamation comes up at Sotheby’s in London on December 15 estimated at £80,000-120,000. The Proclamation of the Independence of the Irish Republic is at a sale of English Literature and History. It is one of a small number, probably less than 50, printed at Liberty Hall during Easter Sunday, 1916. Around 2,500 were intended to be produced, but only about 1,000 were printed and most were destroyed during the storming of Liberty Hall and the ensuing street fighting.

    This copy was acquired at the time of the Rising by a Dublin resident and has remained with the family ever since.

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    FIRST EDITION OF 1854 BOOK THAT LED TO CREATION OF INTERNET

    Monday, November 9th, 2015
    An inscribed first edition of George Boole’s theory which led to the creation of the internet comes up at Fonsie Mealy’s rare book auction in Dublin on December 15.  In the year when UCC is celebrating the bicentenary of the birth in 1815 of their first Professor of Mathematics and inventor of Boolean Logic this extremely rare work is conservatively estimated at just 5,000-7,000. The first 1854 edition of An Investigation into the Laws of Thought published by Walton and Maberly is inscribed to:  “Mrs. Hill, with the Author’s respects”.

    The book is in good condition with some light spotting and an errata leaf at the end. It is in its original black bind stamped cloth,which has suffered slightly from damp. Often described as the father of the internet Boole in this work expounds the  theory which invented the first practical system of logic in algebraic form. This enabled more advances to be made in the science of logic in the latter decades of the 19th century than in the previous twenty two centuries combined. His work led to the creation of set theory and probability theory in mathematics, to the philosophical work of Peirce, Russell, Whitehead and Wittgenstein and to computer technology via the master’s thesis of C.E. Shannon (1937).  Shannon recognised that the true/false values in Boole’s algebra were analogous to the open and closed states of electric circuits.  The invention of the binary digit or bit made possible the development of the digital computer.

    UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR A HAMMER PRICE OF 11,000.  IT WAS PURCHASED BY UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, CORK.

    The first edition of George Boole's theory.

    The first edition of George Boole’s theory.

    The inscription by George Boole to Mrs. Hill.

    The inscription by George Boole to Mrs. Hill.

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    IRISH PROVINCIAL SILVER AT WOODWARDS

    Sunday, November 8th, 2015
    Cork, Limerick and Dublin silversmiths will feature at Woodwards bi-annual auction of silver and art in Cork on November 11.   Highlights include a c1750 Limerick Georgian silver French style serving spoon by Samuel Johns (3,000-4,000) and a Cork silver dish or potato ring by William Egan 1916 (1,500-2,000). There is a George III bright cut Limerick silver serving spoon by Patrick Connell c1785 (1,000-1,500). Cork made pieces include a pair of c1827 George IV cream or sauce ladles by Richard Garde (300-500), a bright cut serving spoon in the neo-classical style by Joseph Gibson c1790 (100-150), a sugar bowl with Celtic design band and Sword of Light hallmark for 1966 by William Egan (80-120) and a sugar tongs with fiddle pattern handles by Carden Terry and Jane Williams with Dublin hallmarks for 1813 (50-100).

    A George III London silver tankard c1768, makers mark FC

    A George III London silver tankard c1768, makers mark FC

    A Limerick Georgian serving spoon by Samuel Johns c1750 (3,000-4,000).

    A Limerick Georgian serving spoon by Samuel Johns c1750 (3,000-4,000).

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    MARGARET THATCHER AT AUCTION AT CHRISTIE’S

    Tuesday, November 3rd, 2015

    Mrs Thatcher: Property from the Collection of Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven, will come up at Christie’s in London December. In the year that ‘The Iron Lady’ would have celebrated her 90th birthday around 350 historic and personal lots will be offered across two landmark sales. There will be an auction of 150 lots in London on December 15.  An online only sale of 200 lots opens for bids on December 3 and runs to December 16.

    The sale includes her red leather Prime Ministerial Dispatch box (£3,000-5,000), signed copies of key speeches and an award presented to her from President Ronald Reagan, alongside jewellery, clothes and handbags. Among the most personal lots is Mrs Thatcher’s wedding outfit, as well as much loved early English porcelain, silver and gold boxes. The most valuable lot is an Art Deco emerald and diamond necklace by Chaumet (£120,000-180,000). The property is being sold on behalf of beneficiaries of Baroness Thatcher’s estate as part of the arrangements following her death in 2013. Estimates range from £200 up to £180,000.

    A classic navy blue leather handbag by Launer, London (£2,000-3,000). Courtesy Christie's Images Ltd., 2015.

    A classic navy blue leather handbag by Launer, London (£2,000-3,000). Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2015.

    An Art Deco emerald and diamond necklace by Chaumet, circa 1930 (£120,000-180,000) Courtesy Christie's Images Ltd., 2015.

    An Art Deco emerald and diamond necklace by Chaumet, circa 1930
    (£120,000-180,000) Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2015.

    Margaret Thatcher’s Wedding outfit comprising Mrs Thatcher’s midnight blue velvet wedding dress, with a sweetheart neckline and long sleeves, labelled Constance Gowns and Suits, Old Bexley; a blue velvet soft brimmed cap with a curled pink ostrich feather and a blue velvet muff, with an Art Deco double clip silver and marcasite brooch (£10,000-15,000).

    Margaret Thatcher’s Wedding outfit comprising Mrs Thatcher’s midnight blue velvet wedding dress, with a sweetheart neckline and long sleeves, labelled Constance Gowns and Suits, Old Bexley; a blue velvet soft brimmed cap with a curled pink ostrich feather and a blue velvet muff, with an Art Deco double clip silver and marcasite brooch (£10,000-15,000).  Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2015.

    Red leather Prime Ministerial Dispatch Box (£3,000-£5,000).

    Red leather Prime Ministerial Dispatch Box (£3,000-£5,000). Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2015.

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    THE MOST LUXURIOUS ATLAS IN THE HISTORY OF PRINTED MAPS

    Monday, November 2nd, 2015
    The Atlas Major.

    The Atlas Major.

    The first complete edition of the most luxurious atlas in the history of printed maps – Joannes Blaeu’s Atlas Major – comes up at Sotheby’s in London on November 17.  Estimated at £240,000-320,000 it was the largest and most expensive book when published in the 17th century.  Published in 1662 the Atlas Major remains the most magnificent work of its kind ever produced. Sotheby’s describe it as one of the true masterpieces of the Dutch Golden Age.

    The Atlas Major covers the entirety of known world in the 17th Century, with particular emphasis on Europe, but with separate volumes dedicated to America and China. At the time of production, the atlas’s cartography, geographical scope and craftsmanship were unprecedented. Comprising 11 large folio volumes, containing 594 engraved maps, plans, and views, all finely coloured by hand in exquisite detail, and nearly 3,000 pages of text, this massive atlas took a team of printers and binders craftsmen many months to produce. Only 300 sets are believed to have been made. Johannes Blaeu succeeded his father Willem as head cartographer at the Dutch East India Company. It will lead an auction of Travel Atlases, Maps and Natural History.

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    THE BERNHEIMER COLLECTION AT SOTHEBY’S

    Friday, October 30th, 2015

    A two day sale of The Bernheimer Collection will be held at Sotheby’s in London on November 24 and 25. The 539 lots to be offered comprise both treasures from the Bernheimer personal collection and stock from the family business, including objects from Bernheimer Palais, a six-storey high palace on Munich’s Lenbachplatz built by the family’s patriarch Lehmann Bernheimer in 1889. Spanning various collecting categories, including furniture, painting, sculpture, porcelain, and wine, these artworks have been housed mainly in Burg Marquartstein, an 11th-century castle in Bavaria that Konrad Bernheimer especially bought in 1987. As he is about to hand over to the next generation, the celebrated Old Master dealer Konrad Berheimer has decided to sell Burg Marquartstein and part with the collection.

    In a separate development Bernheimer, who is chairman of the 255 year old Colnaghi firm in London, has just announced a merger with London and Madrid based fine art dealers Coll & Cortés.  Colnaghi will offer European Old Master paintings, sculptures and drawings, as well as art from the Spanish-speaking world. A century after the firm moved from Pall Mall to Mayfair, Colnaghi will return to St. James’s in 2016, moving from Old Bond Street to a larger, custom-built gallery where they will present international Old Master paintings, sculptures and drawings in a fresh context suited to the 21st century.

    The Bernheimer business started with a tiny market stall in Munich in the mid-19th century and swiftly grew into the most illustrious antique and interior decoration emporium in the world. Following their deportation to Dachau and the expropriation of the business by the Nazis, part of the family emigrated to Venezuela. They returned after the war to reinvent the business which soon became famous as the “Bloomingdales for Antiques”. The family tradition continues today.

    Mario Tavella, Deputy Chairman, Sotheby’s Europe and Head of House Sales and Single Owner Collections, said: “This collection reflects the erudite quest of four generations of art dealers for discovering the best art. It is a huge honour to have been entrusted with this sale”.  

    Jan Breughel the Elder - Panoramic Landscape with travelers.

    Jan Breughel the Elder – Panoramic Landscape with travelers.

    Here is a selection from the sale:

    Claude Joseph Vernet Moonlit Seascape

    Claude Joseph Vernet Moonlit Seascape

    Jan Breughel the Younger, Still Life of flowers

    Jan Breughel the Younger, Still Life of flowers

    Lot 41 - Torchere Lumineuse

    Lot 41 – Torchere Lumineuse

    The Bernheimer Palace, c 1900.

    The Bernheimer Palace, c 1900.

    Lot 13 is a walnut armchair.

    Lot 13 is a walnut armchair.

     

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    RARE IRISH SILVER GORGET AT BONHAMS ARMS SALE

    Wednesday, October 28th, 2015
    A VERY RARE IRISH SILVER GORGET OF AN OFFICER IN THE NATIONAL ARMY OF IRELAND MAKER'S MARK OF MATTHEW WEST, CIRCA 1780 (£1,200-1,500).

    A VERY RARE IRISH SILVER GORGET OF AN OFFICER IN THE NATIONAL ARMY OF IRELAND
    MAKER’S MARK OF MATTHEW WEST, CIRCA 1780 (£1,200-1,500).

    A rare Irish silver gorget that once belonged to an officer of The National Army Of Ireland is to be sold at Bonhams Antique Arms and Armour Department in Knightsbridge, London on November 25. The gorget – an item of clothing that covers the throat – bears the makers mark of Matthew West, Circa 1780 and bears an engraved figure of the Maid of Erin holding a cornucopia and a spear supporting a Phrygian cap.  This is within an oval border inscribed ‘Loughbrickland Volunteers’ against martial arms.

    The Loughbrickland Volunteers was one of four named units raised in Loughbrickland, County Down, during the late 18th century under the overall command of the Earl of Charlemont. Forces of this type were raised throughout Ireland at the time in response to the increased threat of French and Spanish invasion whilst British soldiers were being withdrawn from Ireland to fight in the American Revolutionary War. The Volunteers were independent of the Irish Parliament and Dublin Castle, yet their existence was justified by claims that Ireland was particularly vulnerable to attack.  The Volunteers were known for their liberal political views, with many opposing English governmental interference in Ireland. Under Henry Grattan, they formed a pressure group which succeeded in gaining legislative independence in 1782. The movement incorporated Anglican Protestants, Presbyterians and Catholics, and its members exerted considerable pressure on the British government to ease the Penal Laws on Catholics. The Volunteers became less influential following the end of the war in America in 1783.

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    A SERIES OF DESIGN SALES AT CHRISTIE’S

    Tuesday, October 27th, 2015
    Design at Christie's.

    Design at Christie’s.

    There will be a series of seven design auctions by Christies in London, Paris and New York from November 3 to December 18. Lots of exceptional quality and rarity will come up at sales in London, Paris and New York. The auctions kick off in London on November 3. The Design department will present a varied selection of luxury designer furniture from Italy, France, Scandinavia and cutting-edge contemporary African design, as well as key pieces of design from the private collection of renowned Milanese dealer Giuliana Medda.

    Further highlights feature lighting, sculpture, ceramics, glass and metalwork by designers over a wider period spanning the last 120 years. Design sales will take place in Paris on  November23 and in New York on December 17. 

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    AN IRISH GEORGE III CHIMNEY MAKES 17,100 AT SHEPPARDS

    Friday, October 23rd, 2015

    AN Irish George III Cork chimney piece sold for 17,100 over a top estimate of 12,000 at Sheppards in Durrow this week.  The Adam chimney piece with marble inlay was part of the Castles, Manors and Mansions three day sale this week.

    A detail of the marble inlay.

    A detail of the marble inlay.

    This Irish George III chimney piece made 17,100 at Sheppards.

    This Irish George III chimney piece made 17,100 at Sheppards.

     

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