A pair of Irish George II console tables from Adams Country House Collections at Howth Castle sale. UPDATE: THESE WERE UNSOLD
A pair of Irish George II giltwood console tables will lead the annual Country House Collections sale at Howth Castle by Adam’s on April 27 and 28. Complete with later associated marble tops they are estimated at €60,000-€80,000. Adams say these giltwood console tables represent some of the very finest of their type to come to market in recent years. The later associated brêche violette marble tops are a striking complement to the dramatic giltwood and gesso frame beneath and further highlight the distinctive Roman style adopted by many Irish furniture makers of the mid-18th century.
The sale will be on view at Howth Castle for three days from next Saturday (April 25). Day one on April 27 is an online only sale with 381 lots. There will be a live auction at St. Stephen’s Green on April 28 from 11 am.
A collection of Cork silhouettes by Stephen O’Driscoll at Lynes and Lynes. UPDATE: THESE MADE 4,400 AT HAMMER
A feast of rare and tempting collectibles from old Cork silhouettes and magic lantern slides at Lynes and Lynes to an 1850’s governess cart and a collection of over 5,000 vinyl records at Aidan Foley awaits auction goers and online acquirers this week.
From gracious bedroom contents at five star Mount Juliet to the hallowed halls of a bishop’s palace there is a long and seductive list of available lots.
In their first auction of 2026 at Carrigtwohill on April 25 Lynes and Lynes will offer part two of the contents from the estate of the late Tom and Kay Burke of Cork, items from the collection of newly retired Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross Paul Colton and a pair of portraits by renowned Polish artist, writer, philosopher and theorist Stanislaw Ignacy Witkiewicz Witkacy, a political commissar in St. Petersburg in 1916 during the Russian Revolution.
At online auctions on April 20, 21 and 22 at 6 pm Aidan Foley of Doneraile will offer contents from 30 bedrooms at Mount Juliet including quality satinwood bedroom suites along with contents from The Brogue Inn, Killimer and from an old record shop. The auction is on view this weekend at the old Cleeves toffee factory off the Dock Road in Limerick.
A c1930 French Art Deco tea and coffee service at Lynes and Lynes. UPDATE: THIS MADE 10,200 AT HAMMER
It is unusual to find a collection of 12 Cork silhouettes by Stephen O’Driscoll (c1825-1895) in one auction. The Cork lithographer produced portraits of prominent citizens, street characters and beggars, often touched up with gold or paint, and they are always sought after. Estimated at €2,500-€3,500 these ones carry titles like: The Mayoralty 1885, Cork Union Workhouse, Waiting for the boat, The Royal Visit to Cork and “stand back my Lord and let the coffin pass”.
The most expensive lots at Lynes are the Polish portraits, each estimated at €15,000-€20,000, a high silver content Art Deco French tea and coffee service (€5,000-€6,000) and an early Irish Georgian bureau bookcase (€3,000-€5,000).
Among more than 400 lots are a large collection of hand painted magic lantern slides and machine (€300-€500), a one armed bandit in working order (€100-€200), a gold mesh bracelet (€3,000-€4,000), an old advertising sign for P Gallwey, Wine and Spirit Merchants, Cork (€40-€60), a Kentucky Derby amusement arcade horse racing game (€200-€400), a Regency wine table (€200-€300) and a 1904 gold sovereign (€400-€600).
Viewing for this highly varied and interesting sale is now underway and continues from 10 am to 5 pm daily until next Friday.
Original Pogues ten days of Christmas tour posters from the Savoy in Limerick at Aidan Foley’s sale. UPDATE: THIS MADE 180 AT HAMMER
Aidan Foley has previously sold contents from Ashford Castle, Adare Manor and Cashel Palace and even though old style bedroom furniture is out of fashion he anticipates considerable interest in this sale. The bedrooms at Mount Juliet yielded plenty to interest latter day collectors. There are 30 pairs of lined curtains which have been professionally packed and are in excellent condition, modern four poster beds, Victorian wardrobes, Victorian and Georgian chests of drawers, dressing tables, a good Georgian sideboard and artwork including two original 19th century equestrian paintings.
There will be demand from France and Germany for music posters from the Brogue Inn featuring Thin Lizzy, U2 and The Pogues among others. The collection includes Guinness mirrors, catering equipment, restaurant furniture and a variety of pub collectibles. The auction also offers a collection of more than 5,000 vinyl records from the 1970’s and ’80’s from an old record shop. Many of these are in mint condition and unused.
A Victorian horse drawn governess card at Aidan Foley’s sale. UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,200 AT HAMMER
A rare photo of the O’Donovan Rossa funeral committee. UPDATE: THIS MADE 900 AT HAMMER
In August of 1915 the funeral of Fenian leader Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa was a rallying point for Irish Republicans, often cited as a precursor to the events of the Easter Rising the following year. The passionate Glasnevin graveside oration by Padraig Pearse finished with the oft quoted words: “Ireland unfree shall never be at peace”. A rare photograph of The O’Donovan Rossa funeral committee is lot 159 at Whyte’s timed online Eclectic Collector sale which draws to a close from 1 pm today. The estimate is €500-€700 for a picture which includes Eamon de Valera, Thomas McDonagh, Seamus Buggy, Arthur Griffith, Cathal Brugha, John MacBride, Countess Markievicz and Tom Clarke. Everyone in it is named. Labour members of the committee not in the photo include James Larkin.
The Eclectic Collector is a fascinating sale. Lot 217 is an account of the death of Michael Collins by Emmet Dalton, who was travelling with him at Beal na mBlath. It consists of eight typewritten pages signed in blue pencil in Dalton’s hand. This unique eyewitness account is thought to be unpublished and is estimated at €2,000-€3,000. More than 500 lots of historical artefacts, manuscripts, documents, photographs, books, militaria, medals, weapons and memorabilia including advertising, sport and entertainment, posters, postcards, coins and bank notes will come under the hammer.
Emmet Dalton’s account of the death of Michael Collins UPDATE: THIS MADE 6,000 AT HAMMER
This set of five Irish George III leather fire buckets made £82,550 over an estimate of £2,000-£3,000 at Christie’s Collections London sale. Dating from the third quarter of the 18th century they from Ardbraccan House in Co. Meath. Within a sale which brought in £3.2 million the lots from Ardbraccan realised £1.2 million, selling 148% above the low estimate. Among them was a painting by Richard Wilson of Phaeton’s Petition to Apollo which made £82,550 over a top estimate of £30,000 and a mid 18th century Irish side table which made £76,200 over a top estimate of £60,000.
(See post on antiquesandartireland.com for March 22, 2026)
RICHARD WILSON, R.A. (PENEGOES 1713/14-1782 COLOMENDY) – Phaeton’s petition to Apollo
1915. World War I Irish recruiting poster featuring the sinking of the Lusitania. UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,400 AT HAMMER
This dramatic and very rare First World War recruitment poster is lot 122 at Whyte’s Eclectic Collector timed online auction which ends from 1 pm on April 18. The poster, with a graphic image of the sinking of the Lusitania off the Old Head of Kinsale, is estimated at €600-€800. The auction offers lots of very collectible art alongside historical documents of national importance and lots ranging from the foundation document of Sinn Fein written in Arthur Griffith’s hand and an archive of the funeral of O’Donovan Rossa to a Gretsch guitar signed by all members of U2 and a 1964 Rolling Stones Book signed by all members of the band.
The signed part of the foundation document of Sinn Fein. UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
Lot 143 at Whyte’s Eclectic Collector auction on April 18 – which goes on view in Dublin from today – is a manuscript agreement which confirms the amalgamation of three political units into Sinn Fein. Dated October 21 1906 it is written in Arthur Griffith’s hand and signed by representatives of the National Council, Dungannon Clubs and Cuman na nGaedheal. The attendance is noted as follows.
“At a Conference held at Dundalk on Sunday the 21st October 1906 called at the instance of the Executive of the Dungannon Clubs to discuss the question of a possible Amalgamation between the three organisations at present working on Sinn Fein lines the following delegates were present: ‘National Council: Arthur Griffith, Cole & Sheehan Dungannon Clubs: Messrs Hobson, McCullough & McCartan Cumann na nGaedheal: Messrs Doyle, A. Ingoldsby & O’Brien.”
The estimate for this important historical document is €15,000-€20,000. The party split before the civil war and again afterwards, giving rise to Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. The remaining Sinn Fein organisation continued its association with the IRA. Another split in 1970 led to the modern Sinn Fein party. The other faction became the Workers’ Party.
The sale offers a fascinating array of historical artefacts, manuscripts, documents, photographs, books, militaria, medals, weapons, memorabilia including advertising, sport and entertainment, posters, postcards, photographs, coins, banknotes and other collectibles dating from the 16th century to the 20th century in over 500 lots.
A Sheraton inlaid walnut bureau. UPDATE: THIS MADE 320 AT HAMMER
Availability is not a problem for those brave enough to forget the latest fashion trend and opt instead for a style of home that is individual. Because demand for serviceable antique furniture – stylish and prized by previous generations – has all but collapsed there is great value to be had.
The selection of Georgian, Victorian, William IV and Edwardian available at Woodwards in Cork on April 18 is worth looking into. How about a Georgian walnut chest of drawers, an Edwardian three section economy dining table, a George II mahogany card table, a bowfronted chest of drawers or a three tier dumb waiter? All are available at top estimates of €800 and under in the auction. At a time when not everything even makes the low estimate some of them can be picked up for much less. Among other lots are a Sheraton inlaid walnut bureau (€400-€800), a William IV circular cellarette (€500-€800), a large walnut cylinder top desk (€800-€1,500), a set of eight Hepplewhite style dining chairs (€600-€1,000), a Victorian davenport (€200-€400) and a set of six inlaid Edwardian dining chairs (€300-€400). There is a Tiffany style leaded lamp (€200-€260), a large Persian Hamadan rug (€500-€800), a Tabriz runner (€200-€400), a cast iron garden seat (€400-€600), a large selection of Waterford Crystal and a five piece cast iron patio suite (€1,500-€2,200).
A Tiffany style lamp. UPDATE: THIS MADE 140 AT HAMMER
A rosewood desk by Nanna Ditzel. UPDATE: THIS MADE 6,000 AT HAMMER
An array of legendary designers like Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Niels Otto Moller, Arne Vodder, Eileen Gray, Gio Ponti and Nanna Ditzel feature at Adam’s Mid Century Modern timed online auction which starts to close from 2 pm on April 14. Now on view in Dublin there is accompanying art by Andy Warhol, Patrick Scott, Earl Bliss, Merlin James, Hughie O’Donoghue and others. Highlights include a rosewood desk from the golden era of Scandinavian design created in the mid 1950’s by Nanna Ditzel, chairs by Eileen Gray, a portrait of Kimiko Power by Andy Warhol and a pair of Colonial chairs by Ole Wanscher.
RUBY AND DIAMOND CLUSTER RING, c.1910. UPDATE: THIS MADE €15,000 AT HAMMER
This ruby and diamond cluster ring is lot 44 at Morgan O’Driscoll’s online auction of fine jewellery and watches which runs until April 22. Set with an oval cushion-shaped natural ruby weighing 3.08 carats and of Burmese origin, within a brilliant-cut diamond cluster surround weighing approximately 1 carat, mounted in 18 carat gold and platinum it is estimated at €15,000-25,000. The catalogue with 167 lots is online. The auction will be on view at the RDS in Dublin from April 17-20.
A 22 karat gold and colored diamond-set pendant and chain necklace, estimate CHF10,000-15,000 / US$13,000-19,000
A gold and colored diamond pendant given to Quincy Jones by Bono as an 80th birthday present will come up at Christie’s in Geneva on May 11. The Rare Watches live auction at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues with property from the late Quincy Jones includes three highly desirable pieces. His Patek Philippe Nautilus REF. 3700/1JA, the pendant and a Girard Perregaux watch presented to the artist by Andrea Bocelli in recognition for his lifetime dedication to international charitable endeavors.
Quincy Jones and Sir Michael Caine (both born on 14 March 1933), celebrated their 80th birthdays at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The sumptuous event also served as a fundraiser: the 17th annual Power of Love Gala. Whilst addressing the audience Quincy Jones said: “I’m so proud of this night being on behalf of charity. Living, laughing, loving and giving … that’s what life is about.” The evening opened with a pre-dinner performance by Bono, who keyed in on the Sinatra phase of Jones’ career with performances of “I Got You Under My Skin” and “Fly Me to the Moon”. Bono presented a special birthday gift to Quincy Jones: a gold necklace, featuring a 22 carat gold and colored diamond-set pendent with an engraving on the back ‘B4Q80’, standing for ‘Bono for Quincy, 80th birthday’, adding a deeply personal and commemorative dimension to this meaningful piece.
Quincy Jones’ Patek Philippe Nautilus, ref. 3700/1JA was manufactured and sold in 1981, making it Mr. Jones’ property for 43 years. 1981 marked important moments in the artist’s career: he received a Grammy nomination for Producer of the Year and won the award for Best Instrumental Arrangement, as well as overseeing the production of Michael Jackson’s album Thriller (1982).
Patek Philippe Nautilus ref 3700/1JA manufactured in 1981, estimate CHF100,000-200,000 / US$130,000-250,000 |
