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    DEFINING IMAGE OF JANE AUSTEN AT SOTHEBY’S

    Monday, November 4th, 2013
    Jane Austen Portait with frame.

    Jane Austen Portait with frame.  UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR £164,000

    A portrait of Jane Austen, the defining image of the author which has been reproduced innumerable times and will feature on the Bank of England £10 note in 2017, comes up at Sotheby’s in London on December 10.  Rarely seen in public it is to be the centrepiece of Sotheby’s sale of English Literature and History.  The watercolour has remained in the Austen family since it was painted. It is estimated at £150,000-200,000.

    The portrait was commissioned by Jane Austen’s nephew, Rev. James Edward Austen-Leigh in 1869 to accompany Memoir of Jane Austen, his hugely influential first full-length biography of the novelist. The painting was based on the only confirmed portrait of Jane Austen made during her lifetime – a study by her sister Cassandra, (now in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery). Austen-Leigh, who was very close to his aunt, (her surviving letters to him are deeply affectionate) did not believe this depiction did her justice and wanted a truer likeness created for posterity. He tasked a local artist, James Andrews of Maidenhead, with producing a more satisfying version based on Cassandra’s sketch and his own distinctive memories: “In person she was very attractive; her figure was rather tall and slender, her step light and firm, and her whole appearance expressive of health and animation. In complexion she was a clear brunette with a rich colour; she had full round cheeks, with mouth and nose small and well formed, bright hazel eyes, and brown hair forming natural curls close round her face … “
    This is the bi-centenary of the publication of three Jane Austen classics, Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814) and Emma (1815).

    Posted in AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES | Comments Off on DEFINING IMAGE OF JANE AUSTEN AT SOTHEBY’S

    ROTHSCHILD PRAYERBOOK AT CHRISTIE’S RENAISSANCE SALE

    Monday, November 4th, 2013
    The Rothschild Prayerbook, Illuminated manuscript Book of Hours on vellum, Ghent or Bruges, c.1505 250 leaves. Courtesy Christie's Images Ltd., 2013

    The Rothschild Prayerbook,
    Illuminated manuscript Book of Hours on vellum, Ghent or Bruges, c.1505
    250 leaves. Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2013  UPDATE: IT MADE $13,605,000.

    The Rothschild Prayerbook is to be the centrepiece of Christie’s Renaissance sale during Old Masters Week in New York next January. Arguably the finest illustrated manuscript in private hands it is expected to inspire fierce competition on January 29 and is estimated at $12-18 million.  It set the world auction record for illuminated manuscripts nearly 15 years ago at Christie’s in London.

    Made around 1505 for a member of the imperial court in the Netherlands the hand painted manuscript prayerbook – a Book of Hours – is one of the highest achievement of Flemish Renaissance painting. There are 150 pages  with miniatures and borders of superlative quality. It is one of a number of luxurious manuscripts produced between 1490 and 1520 for an international clientele and members of the Habsburg Court in the Netherlands. It joined the Rothschild family collection in the 19th century and when last at auction is sold for $13,378,558.

    Posted in AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES | Comments Off on ROTHSCHILD PRAYERBOOK AT CHRISTIE’S RENAISSANCE SALE

    A HINT OF HALLOWEEN IN BLACK FOREST CLOCK

    Thursday, October 31st, 2013

    black forest clockThere is more than a hint of halloween in this remarkable Black Forest mantle clock at Butchoff Antiques in London.  Dated circa 1880 it is carved from linden wood and represents a pair of horned owls on a rocky outcrop with a brickwork wall within a circlet of oak leaves.  There is a cat hiding below and the sculpture is fitted with an eight day clock.

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    IMPERIAL GILT BRONZE TEMPLE BELL AT SOTHEBY’S

    Tuesday, October 29th, 2013
    An Imperial Gilt-Bronze Archaistic Temple Bell (£200,000-300,000)

    An Imperial Gilt-Bronze Archaistic Temple Bell (£200,000-300,000)  UPDATE: THIS MADE £338,000

    A Rare Gilt-Bronze Figure of Shyama Tara , Ming Dynasty, Early 15th Century, (£100,000-150,000)

    A Rare Gilt-Bronze Figure of Shyama Tara , Ming Dynasty, Early 15th Century, (£100,000-150,000) UPDATE: THIS MADE £662,500

    An Imperial gilt bronze temple bell is a highlight at Sotheby’s sale of Fine Chinese Ceramics and works of art in London on November 6.  The gilt bronze archaistic temple bell, bianzhong was purchased in China in the late 19th century by Dr. Walter Jennings Milles (1854-1910) who practised  in Shanghai for 26 years before retiring to England.

    Bianzhong were produced for the court during the Qing dynasty as an essential component of Confucian ritual ceremonies at the imperial altars, formal banquets and processions. This particular bell has remained in the same family collection in Scotland for over 100 years, during which time it became a tradition to use the bell as a dinner gong.

    Another highlight is a gilt bronze figure of Shyama Tara, worshipped by Buddhists as a saviour and liberator from samsara, the earthly realm of birth and rebirth. The sale of over 430 lots, including ceramics from the Alfred Beit Foundation,  is expected to realise £7.5-11 million.

    Posted in AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES | Comments Off on IMPERIAL GILT BRONZE TEMPLE BELL AT SOTHEBY’S

    ANTIQUE IRISH SILVER AT SOTHEBY’S, NEW YORK

    Monday, October 21st, 2013

    A private collection of antique and wonderful 18th century Irish silver, purchased about 50 years ago from Egan’s, Cork, comes up at Sotheby’s sale of Important Silver, Vertu and Russian Works on Art in New York on October 29.  There are nine lots in total. Here is a sample:

    A pair of irish silver large sauce boats, Carden Terry, Cork, circa 1775 ($5,000-7,000).

    A pair of irish silver large sauce boats, Carden Terry, Cork, circa 1775 ($5,000-7,000).

    An Irish silver teapot, sauce boat, and sugar bowl, Cork, circa 1780-1800

    An Irish silver teapot, sauce boat, and sugar bowl, Cork, circa 1780-1800

    Three Irish silver creamers, Cork, circa 1750 / circa 1780-1800

    Three Irish silver creamers, Cork, circa 1750 / circa 1780-1800

    Three Irish silver salvers, Dublin, circa 1750/circa 1735 ($5,000-7,000).

    Three Irish silver salvers, Dublin, circa 1750/circa 1735 ($5,000-7,000).

    An Irish silver sugar bowl, maker’s mark IB probably for Jonathan Buck, Jr., Limerick and Cork, circa 1770 ($5,000-7,000).

    An Irish silver sugar bowl, maker’s mark IB probably for Jonathan Buck, Jr., Limerick and Cork, circa 1770 ($5,000-7,000).

    A pair of Irish silver sauce boats, George Hodder, Cork, circa 1760 ($5,000-7,000).

    A pair of Irish silver sauce boats, George Hodder, Cork, circa 1760 ($5,000-7,000).

    Posted in AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES | Comments Off on ANTIQUE IRISH SILVER AT SOTHEBY’S, NEW YORK

    FINE CHINESE CERAMICS FROM ALFRED BEIT FOUNDATION AT SOTHEBY’S

    Monday, October 21st, 2013
    Fine Chinese ceramics from the Alfred Beit Foundation come up at Sotheby’s in London on November 6.  The 20 ceramic pieces to be sold in 14 lots estimated at £300,000-350,000 are being sold to help secure the long term future of Russborough.  The group being sold is surplus to the main collection and has been in storage for many years.
    They were assembled by Sir Alfred Beit (1903-1994) and purchased through Chinese art dealer John Sparks in the 1950’s.
    Robin Bradlow of Sotheby’s fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art department said: “Sir Alfred Beit was a discerning collector with a marvellous eye for exquisite pieces of Chinese porcelain”.
    Commenting on the sale, a representative of the Alfred Beit Foundation, said: “The group of ceramics is surplus to the main collection, has been held in storage for many years and was rarely on public view. Its sale will help secure the long term future of Russborough, its demesne and its diverse collections so that the visiting public from both Ireland and abroad may appreciate and enjoy it for many decades to come.”
    UPDATE:  The 14 lots from the Beit Foundation were 100 per cent sold and brought in £1,079,ooo.  The Yongzheng black ground Famille Rose bowl achieved the highest price in the group and sold for £434,500.  Overall the sale brought a total of £14,486,600.
    A Rare Coral Ground Famille-Verte Bowl Yongzheng mark and period (1723-1735) (£80,000-120,000).

    A Rare Coral Ground Famille-Verte Bowl
    Yongzheng mark and period (1723-1735) (£80,000-120,000). UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR £104,500

    A Black-Ground Famille-Rose Bowl Yongzheng Mark and Period (1723-1735) (£80,000-120,000).

    A Black-Ground Famille-Rose Bowl
    Yongzheng Mark and Period (1723-1735) (£80,000-120,000). UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR £434,500

    Posted in AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES | Comments Off on FINE CHINESE CERAMICS FROM ALFRED BEIT FOUNDATION AT SOTHEBY’S

    ANTIQUE AND MODERN JEWELLERY AT O’REILLY’S FRANCIS ST. AUCTION

    Friday, October 18th, 2013

    Around 400 lots of antique, modern and vintage jewellery will come under the hammer at O’Reilly’s of Francis St., Dublin on October 23. The sale will include jewellery by Chopard and Dior.  The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection:  UPDATE; The multi-stone ring made 3,000 and the coral and diamond dress ring made 1,900.

    An emerald cut diamond solitaire (30,000-32,000)

    An emerald cut diamond solitaire (30,000-32,000)  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    A pair of antique gold cameo earrings (500-700)

    A pair of antique gold cameo earrings (500-700)

    A coral and diamond dress ring by Dior (2,000-2,500)

    A coral and diamond dress ring by Dior (2,000-2,500)

    A large multi stone ring (3,000-3,500).

    A large multi stone ring (3,000-3,500).

    Posted in AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES | Comments Off on ANTIQUE AND MODERN JEWELLERY AT O’REILLY’S FRANCIS ST. AUCTION

    FINE AND DECORATIVE ART ON OFFER IN CASTLECOMER

    Wednesday, October 16th, 2013

    The catalogue for the autumn fine and decorative art sale at Mealy’s in Castlecomer on October 22 and 23 lists more than 1100 lots with a pre-sale estimate of 300,000-500,000. Oriental art, decorative art, clocks, barometers, scientific instruments, silver, jewellery, light fittings and glass will feature on October 22.  On Wednesday it is the turn of 18th, 19th and 20th century furniture, paintings, watercolours, carpets, rare books and maps.  The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection (click on any image to enlarge it).

    LATE 19TH CENTURY ITALIAN CARVED WHITE MARBLE FIGURE, (1,500-2,500).

    LATE 19TH CENTURY ITALIAN CARVED WHITE MARBLE FIGURE, (1,500-2,500). UPDATE: THIS MADE 3,300

    Some of the lots due to come under the hammer.

    Some of the lots due to come under the hammer.

    LOUIS B. HURT (1856-1929) Highland Cattle resting near a Loch (4,000-6,000).

    LOUIS B. HURT (1856-1929) Highland Cattle resting near a Loch (4,000-6,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 4,000

    A pair of 19th century Roman micromosaic circular panels (5,000-7,000).

    A pair of 19th century Roman micromosaic circular panels (5,000-7,000).   UPDATE: THESE MADE 6,900

    A total of 106 volumes, Thom's Irish Directory, late 19th century-mid 20th century (1,500-2,500).

    A total of 106 volumes, Thom’s Irish Directory, late 19th century-mid 20th century (1,500-2,500).  UPDATE: SOLD FOR 1,200

    Posted in ART, AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES, FURNITURE | Comments Off on FINE AND DECORATIVE ART ON OFFER IN CASTLECOMER

    SIDE CABINETS SELL FOR 21,000 AT SLANE CASTLE

    Monday, October 14th, 2013
    One of a pair of boulle and ormolu side cabinets sold for 21,000.

    One of a pair of boulle and ormolu side cabinets sold for 21,000.

    A pair of Napoleon III boulle and ormolu side cabinets more than doubled their top estimate on day one of the James Adam Country House Collections auction at Slane Castle on October 13.  Estimated at 6,000-10,000 the pair sold for a hammer price of 21,000.

    An Irish Georgian brass hall door lock sold for 2,000; a 19th century white marble bust of Julius Caesar by John MacDonald made 4,000; a pair of Victorian billiard room benches made 5,000; a c1660 pair of English oak joint stools made 2,500; a mid 19th century percussion action five shot revolver made 10,000; an Irish 18th century double action flintlock fowling piece made 9,500; an 18th century Irish blanket chest made 4.000;  a French ormolu and marble figural cercle clock surmounted by a Cupid and signed Dubuisson made 8,000; an Irish satinwood foldover card table made 5,000; a longcase clock by William Haddock of Waterford made 3,000; a George II London walnut cased bracket clock made 4,000; a Victorian hexagonal red lacquered post box made 5,500; a George III breakfront wardrobe in the style of Gillows made 11,000; an oil on canvas of a standing nude by Emmanual Michel Benner (1873-1965) made 11,000 and a George III Gainsborough armchair made 7,200. (These are all hammer prices).

    Posted in ART, AUCTIONS, COLLECTIBLES, FURNITURE | Comments Off on SIDE CABINETS SELL FOR 21,000 AT SLANE CASTLE

    LIMERICK SOVIET NOTE TO COME UNDER THE HAMMER

    Monday, October 14th, 2013
    The Limerick Soviet ten shilling note.

    The Limerick Soviet ten shilling note.  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 700

    A rare Limerick Soviet ten shilling note comes up at Limerick Auction Rooms on October 23.  The Limerick Soviet ran the city, printed its own money and organised a food supply in 1919.  It ran from April 15-27 in that year and attracted attention around the world. At the beginning of the War of Independence a general strike was called by the Limerick Trades and Labour Council to protest the British Army designation of Limerick city and parts of the county as a special military area.

    Dan Breen in Limerick Prison with the Freestate Officer who used to be his driver.

    Dan Breen in Limerick Prison with the Freestate Officer who used to be his driver.  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 65 EURO

    Estimated at 1,000-1,500 the ten shilling note is inscribed: “April Limerick 1919.  General Strike Against British Militarism.  The workers of Limerick promise to pay the bearer ten shilllings.  The Limerick Trades and Labour Council.  The note is signed by George Cronin, Chairman and James Casey, Treasurer.

    Another unusual lot  is a photograph of the Republican Dan Breen in Limerick Prison arm in arm with the Freestate Office from the other side who had been his driver during the War of Independence.  The photograph, which is dog eared, is estimated at 50-100 euro.
     

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