antiquesandartireland.com

This native American outfit sold for 320,000 at hammer.

A native American outfit sold for a hammer price of 320,000 at Fonsie Mealy’s auction in Castlecomer today. It had been estimated at 4,000-6,000.  But this outfit – comprising hide poncho war shirt, matching leggings, headdress and purse – was in unusually good condition and had an interesting provenance.

It is held by family tradition to have come to Ireland through the family of Reymond Hervey de Montmorency (1835-1902), a major general in the British Army who married Rachel Mary Lumley Godolphin Michel, daughter of Field Marshall Sir John Michel at Montreal in Canada in 1866.

There was spirited bidding from two opposing US bidders in the room and an American bidder on the telephone. The telephone bidder eventually prevailed.  Mealy’s think that the outfit may eventually end up on public display in a museum, but no further details are as yet available.

The auction was a huge success and brought in around 750,000.

(See post on antiquesandartireland.com for February 17, 2015).

This small bowl on stand sold for 3,000 at hammer over an estimate of 200-300.

An unusual 19th century Chinese hardwood table spice carriage sold for 41,000 at hammer.

An unusual 19th century Chinese hardwood table spice carriage has just sold for a hammer price of 41,000 over an estimate of 700-1,000 at Fonsie Mealy. The upper tray has five shaped canisters with a carved gallery and frieze over two deep containers.  It is profusely decorated with jade, ivory, malachite and other semi precious stones and on four large carved pierced and brass inlaid wheels.

A delicate jade translucent bowl, just three inches in diameter, sold for ten times its top estimate at Fonsie Mealy’s auction in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny today. It made 3,000 at hammer over a top estimate of 200-300.

A small early 19th century carved table screen estimated at 1,200-1,800 sold for 26,000.  The sale is attracting lively bidding in the room, on the telephone, with commission bids and on the internet.

A set of early George II forks, property of Dean Jonathan Swift sold for a hammer price of 3,800 over a top estimate of 3,000.  (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for February 20, 2015).

The late 19th century Native American outfit.  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 320,000 AT HAMMER

A native American outfit complete with feathered head dress is one of the more unusual lots at Fonsie Mealy’s auction in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny on February 25.  The late 19th century rig out comprises a very good hide poncho war shirt, matching hide leggings, head dress and purse.  Open at the sides the poncho has original hand painted designed, front and back quilted rosettes, quilled strips on the sleeves and red cloth neck trimming.   The leggings are similarly decorated. It is estimated at 4,000-6,000.

The sale of more than 700 lots from various estates includes items being sold by the executors of the late Mrs Jane Avril de Montmorency Wright of Burnchurch House and Castle Morres, Co. Kilkenny.  It is suggested by tradition that this lot may have come to Castle Morres through the family of the Hon. Reymond Hervey de Montmorency (1835-1902).

He was a major general in the British Army who fought in the Indian Mutiny, commanded in the Sudan in 1886-87, and eventually succeeded his father to a Viscountcy in the Irish Peerage. In 1866 he married Rachel Mary Lumley Godolphin Michel, daughter of Field Marshall Sir John Michel at Montreal in Canada.