An 1806 Irish halfpenny was the top lot at Noonan’s sale of British trade tokens, tickets and passes. It made a hammer price of £5,500 over a top estimate of £1,000. It went to a collector in Ireland. The final part of the Irish Tokens from the Collection of the late Barry Woodside achieved a hammer total of £17,895 with two notable examples being a farthing from Newcastle, County Limerick, engraved Florence O’Connell, Irish Woollen Warehouse, Bridge St. which made £2,600 at hammer of a top estimate of £200 and a token saying George Lynch, Elephant House, Lr. Sackville Street Portmanteau Manufacturer which made £2,200 against a top estimate of £100. They went to Irish collectors. An 18th century token from Munster with a bust of Bryen Boiromhe, King of Munster made £1,400 against an estimate of £300-400. It was bought by a collector in the USA.
Lord Doneraile’s boxed ordnance survey map of Waterford. UPDATE: THIS MADE 240 AT HAMMER
A 19th century Ordnance Survey map of Waterford from the collection of Doneraile Court and a 19th century Killarney davenport are among the lots at Hegarty’s online sale in Bandon from 5 pm on February 28. Lord Doneraile’s maps were most likely used for hunting. The auction offers a selection of antique furniture, art, jewellery and collectibles including a pair of c1740 Irish silver candlesticks by Thomas Walker of Dublin.
A 19th century Strahan dining table. UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
From a 15 foot long dining table by Robert Strahan and a resin cast of a pair of Irish elk antlers and skull to a 19th century spinning wheel, an antique divers helmet and pairs of Art Nouveau glass panels the online interiors sale by Victor Mee over two evenings on February 27-28 is brimful of interest. Just under 1,000 lots will come under the hammer at auctions beginning each day at 5.30 pm. The Strahan table with five leaves is from a Victorian house on Temple Road, Dublin and estimated at €4,000-€8,000. There are cast iron dogs, peat buckets, side tables, a decorative gilt sunburst mirror, easy chairs, a Dior advertising figure with black gloves, Tiffany style lamps, a Chesterfield settee in an online catalogue that features antique furniture, art, carpets and furnishings for a decorative interior.
A gilt sunburst mirror UPDATE: THIS MADE 300 AT HAMMER
Along with a great selection of highly desirable lots in categories from antique furniture, art and collectibles the At Home sale at James Adam in Dublin on February 27 comes with a message of sustainability. The venerable auctioneering firm is setting out in 2024 to highlight how the purchase of antique furniture and furnishings at auction contributes to sustainability. Each year in Ireland the Environmental Protection Agency calculates that 1.2 million re-usable bulky items, mostly furniture, are consigned to landfill. Not unlike fast fashion the constant production and consumption of new items contributes to a rapidly growing waste problem.
In an attempt to counter this trend Adams is encouraging those of us who love antique furniture to spread the message that sustainability starts at home and help new buyers appreciate the benefits of acquiring affordable, well made quality items that are built to last. A selection of stylish and affordable furniture is on the catalogue for this auction. A c1790 George III demi lune commode veneered in flame mahogany is estimated at €1,000-€1,500. Walnut was the most prized wood for furniture making from the end of the 17th century to the middle of the 18th century. The attractive grain and colour of the wood is well demonstrated in lot 327, a Georgian walnut side table with distinctive cabriole legs, hinged top and compartmented interior. This piece is estimated at €1,000-€1,500.
19th century oak Welsh dresser. UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,300 AT HAMMER
The catalogue cover lot is a riverbank scene at Veneux les Sablons by the French artist Pierre Eugene Montezin (1874-1946) who once remarked to the critic Louis Vauxcelles that: “The subjects of the landscape painter are less in front of the artist’s eyes than in his heart”. In 1932 Montezin received the Medal of Honour at the Salon des Artistes Francais and he was an office of the Legion d’Honneur. The painting is estimated at €5,000-€7,000. The proceeds from the sale of another painting, a 19th century Breton market scene, will be donated to the Irish Cancer Society. The artist is unknown and the work is estimated at €1,000-€1,500. The auction kicks off with a selection of garden statuary, campagna urns, plant holders, patio furniture and a circular millstone mounted on a granite base as a table. There is a selection of lighting, rugs, chairs and and collectibles.
A millstone mounted on a granite base as a table UPDATE: THIS MADE 3,200 AT HAMMER
NORTH EUROPEAN INLAID FRUITWOOD COMMODE. UPDATE: THIS MADE 3,600 AT HAMMER
Viewing gets underway in Dublin today and continues over the weekend for the James Adam At Home sale next Tuesday (February 27). The timed online sale is open for bidding and will draw to a close from 11 am on Tuesday. This North European inlaid fruitwood serpentine fronted commode is, at €4,000-€6,000, one of the more expensively estimated lots. The top is inlaid with scrolls and putto and centred by a flower filled urn, musical instruments, horns and birds of paradise.
A c1800 bright cut Limerick silver sauce ladle by William Fitzgerald UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
Limerick silver is rare and not always easy to come by so there should be much interest in a private collection of Limerick silver spoons at the timed online James Adam At Home sale which runs until February 27. They are from the workshops of makers William Fitzgerald, George Halloran, Robert O’Shaughnessy, Joseph Johns, Patrick Connell, Samuel John, Maurice Fitzgerald and William Ward. It is downright unusual to find such a gathering of known makers names from Limerick in one sale. Lots 72 to 84 carry estimates ranging from €400 to €3,000. There is also a mid 18th century silver bowl by George Hodder of Cork and a George III silver bowl by James le Bas of Dublin. The catalogue is online and timed bidding is already underway.
A set of 12 c1780 teaspoons by Patrick Connell, Limerick. UPDATE: THESE SOLD FOR 1,400 AT HAMMER
A pair of Irish Georgian knife boxes UPDATE: THIS MADE 650 AT HAMMER
With everything from an Edwardian hobby horse and a three piece Art Nouveau mantle clock garniture in red marble to a carved Qing Dynasty hardwood cabinet and a Dublin longcase clock the Making Room sale by Fonsie Mealy at Castlecomer on February 21 is brimful of interest. More than 400 lots will come under the hammer in this annual spring clear out and estimates are reasonable. There are affordable antiques, decorative furniture, overmantles, mirrors, art, a selection of Nicholas Mosse ware, prints, silver and plate and all sorts of collectibles.
An Edwardian hobby horse. UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,000 AT HAMMER
Among the more expensively estimated works, at €1,500-€2,000, is an oil on canvas attributed to Andrea Locatelli (1695-1741) of Figures resting by a Capriccio in a Romantic Landscape. With professional cleaning this would add a stylish touch to many interiors. A George III inlaid mahogany and satinwood secretaire is also estimated at just €1,500-€2,000.
A Chinese Imperial yellow porcelain dish with five dragons UPDATE: THIS MADE 400 AT HAMMER
If you want to make the most of the strength, power and success associated with dragons in this Year of the Dragon then this sale jast just the thing. An early Chinese Imperial yellow porcelain dish with raised enamel features depicting five dragons with four and five claws comes with an estimate of €800-€1,200. The estimate on a pair of Irish Georgian slope front knife boxes with fitted interiors is just €700-€900 – a steal in old God’s time – and a small 19th century walnut pedestal desk is estimated at just €300-€500. The Qing hardwood cabinet and the Dublin clock are each estimated at €800-€1,200, the Edwardian hobby horse at €700-€900 and the clock garniture at €500-€700. Collectors of Irish country furniture will be interested in an unusual set of four provincial hand painted ladder back chairs with straw seats (€150-€200) or a 19th century yew and elm stick kitchen armchair (€250-€350). A good Victorian figured walnut writing table is estimated at just €300-€400. The catalogue is online, there is viewing in Castlecomer Business Park next Monday and Tuesday and the sale will take place at the Avalon House Hotel at noon on Wednesday.
An unusual set of four hand painted provincial chairs. UPDATE: THESE MADE 130 AT HAMMER
Art Nouveau Garniture. UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,000 AT HAMMER
This French Art Nouveau mantle clock garniture in red Griotte marble comes up as lot 223 at Fonsie Mealy’s Making Room sale in Castlecomer on February 21. The clock has typical Art Nouveau gilt brass mounts around a painted enamel dial with Arabic numerals and striking on a gong and the estimate is €500-€700. A total of 432 lots will come under the hammer, the catalogue is online and viewing gets underway in Castlecomer on February 19.
An Irish 18th century oversized silver tankard. UPDATE: THIS MADE 6,100 AT HAMMER
An Irish oversized silver tankard made in Dublin in 1783 by Thomas Johnson is among the prime lots at Hegarty’s Valentine’s Day online auction next February 14 at 5 pm. It is among an important collection of Irish silver in a sale that will include antique furniture, collectibles, art and jewellery. The tankard features double c scroll handles, a bulbous body with design in relief, clear hallmarks and a circular platform base and is estimated at €8,000-€10,000.
Another piece certain to generate interest is a Cork silver coffee pot made by John Nicholson c1760 when silver making flourished in the southern capital. The George III piece features a finial cover, cartouches, a decorative spout and a circular platform base. The estimate is €1,000-€3,000. The catalogue is online.
A George III Cork silver c1760 coffee pot. UPDATE: THIS MADE 4,700 AT HAMMER
A diamond set ruby mounted on a platinum ring at Matthews. UPDATE: THIS MADE €2,450 at hammer
Can romance be mined from unredeemed pledges? It might be just possible to come up with the answer to this teasing question in time for Valentine’s Day at Matthews jewellery, gold and silver auction on February 11 The sale will feature executor’s lots, pieces from private clients and unredeemed pawnbrokers pledges with plenty to choose from among 593 lots. A ruby diamond set cluster on a platinum ring or an 18 carat white gold diamond set sapphire and ruby brooch, each estimated at €2,500-€3,500, are laden with sparkling romantic potential. Or if you are not superstitious how about a pear cut sapphire and 13 diamond set pendant (€2,000-€3,000). There are bracelets, rings, diamond solitaires, necklaces, earrings, chokers, watches and objects of all sorts with which to express your love, so it is over to you.
A pear cut sapphire and diamond set pendant at Matthews. UPDATE: THIS MADE €1,900 AT HAMMER
Undoubtedly the best value to be had at auctions these days is in everyday antique furniture. There is no shortage of choice at upcoming sales. A classic and contemporary interiors timed online sale by Mullen’s of Laurel Park in Bray kicks off at 6 pm on February 11 with a 19th century cast iron hawthorn pattern garden seat with an estimate of just €200-€300. A Georgian inlaid side table is estimated at just €600-€800, a pair of 19th century butlers trays on stands come with an estimate of €400-€600 and a vintage satin birch chest is estimated at just €80-€150.
One of a pair of 19th century butler’s trays at Mullen’s. UPDATE: THIS LOT MADE 520 AT HAMMER
There are lots of other examples of good value furniture here including a Georgian demi lune side table (€100-€200), a brass bound secretaire chest (€200-€300), a 19th century three tier dumb waiter (€80-€120), a Georgian drop leaf table (€100-€200) and a Chippendale style mahogany desk (€200-€300). Meanwhile at Newcastlewest in Co. Limerick the sale by O’Donovan’s on February 18 will offer over 300 lots mostly to be sold without reserve. Among them is an oriental dinner gong with brass hanging drum (€125-€150), a Victorian oak hall stand with bevelled mirror (€40-€60), a New York made mantle clock with pendulum (€40-€60), a Georgian sideboard (€175-€250) and a Georgian tea caddy (€200-€300). The sale is led by a Peter Curling watercolour titled At the end of the Plough (€1,600-€1,900).
Cottage in the Maam Valley by Mabel Young at Fonsie Mealy. UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,200 AT HAMMER
Art by Mabel Young (1889-1974), Paul Henry’s second wife, do not crop up very often and Fonsie Mealy’s Making Room sale in Castlecomer on February 21 features an oil on board of a cottage in the Maam Valley signed by her. It is estimated at €800-€1,200. The top lot in the sale is a large Irish Georgian serving table in the Chinese Chippendale style estimated at €2,000-€3,000. The catalogues for all these sales are online.
