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 The auction offers lots of very collectible art alongside historical documents of national importance and lots ranging from the foundation document of Sinn Fein written in Arthur Griffith’s hand and an archive of the funeral of O’Donovan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The estimate for this important historical document is €15,000-€20,000.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 |
Rare portrait lithographs of Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith signed both by the sitters and artist Sir John Lavery feature at Whyte’s timed online Eclectic Collector sale which runs from April 7-18. Lavery painted portraits of Griffith and Collins in 1921 whilst they were in London negotiating the terms of the Irish Treaty. Within months of their portraits being painted, both men were dead – Griffith of a heart attack, Collins assasinated. The lithographs are based on the oil portraits now in the collection of the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery of Modern Art, Dublin and estimated at €8,000-12,000.
Lot 78 at R.J. Keighery’s annual garden auction in Waterford on April 13 is a pair of round stoneware rose pots measuring 38 cms x 36 cms. The estimate is €200-300. The auction offers over 700 lots including benches, gates, planters, urns and statues. The catalogue is online.
This pair of terracotta rhubarb forcers made €1,800 at hammer
Terracotta rhubarb forcers were a surprise hit at Sheppards sale of contents from Kilroan House, Glanmire, Cork and other clients. Traditional Victorian cloches, which work by trapping heat and blocking light forcing the plant to grow faster and sweeter, had all the allure of hot cross buns on Good Friday at the auction. Two pairs sold for a hammer price of €1,800 each and another pair made €1,600 over estimates of €200-€300.
Elsewhere in the sale a 1915 Royal Worcester covered vase with an estimate of €250-€350 made a hammer price of €4,600. Hand painted with swans in flight it was numbered and designed by one of the most gifted Worcester artists Charles Henry Clifford Baldwyn whose swans became signature pieces. A marine chronometer made €3,000, a life size bronze sculpture of four deer made €10,200, a Regency breakfront bookcase made €7,000 and a William IV four poster bed made €8,500. A view of Blackrock Castle and the River Lee by George Mounsey Wheatley Atkinson made €2,700 at hammer.
