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    AUTUMN ANTIQUES SEASON ON ITS MERRY WAY IN IRELAND

    Saturday, September 16th, 2023
    A 19th gold charm featuring Napoleon, courtesy of Dublin jeweller JW Weldon, will be spotlighted at Ireland’s collection of statement pieces, Timeless, the Irish Antique Dealers Fair, which takes place in Dublin’s RDS from September 15-17. Details from timelessfair.ie.

    With Timeless in full swing at the RDS in Dublin today and tomorrow and a number of upcoming sales of Important Irish art in prospect the busy autumn season continues on its merry way in Ireland. The annual Irish Antique Dealers’ Fair running for the 56th time offers an eclectic blend of contemporary and antique focused exhibitors and is designed to appeal to both young contemporaries and seasoned collectors.  With its eye watering results the Freddie Mercury sales at Sotheby’s this month (his Yamaha grand piano made just over €2 million) demonstrated once again the importance of celebrity and in this respect Timeless does not disappoint.  Statement pieces on offer include a rare bookcase favoured both by David Bowie and Karl Lagerfeld and a 400 year old diamond ring that would once have travelled to the UK along the old Silk Road.

    The Memphis Milano Carlton bookcase offered by Acquired was designed by Ettore Sottsass and once graced a Florence palazzo.  Its ground breaking form challenged existing rules, something immediately recognised by fashion and rock icons Lagerfeld and Bowie, both of whom had one.  It is priced at €17,000.  J.W. Weldon will offer a 17th century diamond ring crafted in England, the oldest ring they have ever handled. It is priced at €3,950.  Among other rarities is a 9th century French charm from a bracelet which features a cannon and a statue of Napoleon and a folding travelling silver chess set designed in 1972 to commemorate the Fischer-Spassky world championship. “The best of the past is also best for the future”, Garret Weldon, president of the IADA remarked. “Our trade is the original sustainable industry and helps the planet through a reduction in manufacturing and waste”.

    On a Western Quay by Jack B Yeats at Adams.

    Important Irish art sales are in the offing at James Adam on September 27 and at Whytes on October 2.  A 1923 oil on panel by Yeats – On a Western Quay – is a highlight at Adams and estimated at €100,000-€150,000. It depicts pilot Michael Gillen, who guided ships along the Garavogue River to the Sligo quayside, and who appears in several paintings and drawings by Yeats.  Another top lot with a similar estimate in this auction of 158 lots is Evening by Paul Henry c1924-25.  It comes from a private collection in Cork.  The sale offers highly collectible  art by artists like Louis le Brocquy, Gerard Dillon, William Conor and Rowan Gillespie.  Viewing gets underway on September 22 and the catalogue is online.

    The Currach, Kilronan by Gerard Dillon at Whyte’s

    Still Waters by Sean Keating and The Currach, Kilronan by Gerard Dillon, each estimated at €60,000-€80,000 are highlights at Whyte’s sale of Irish and International art on October 2.  Lord George Hell by Sir William Orpen is based on a Regency reprobate, the principal character in Max Beerbohm’s 1896 story The Happy Hypocrite. Hell sets out to woo dancer Jenny Mere with whom he has fallen in love wearing a mask to cover his pock marked face.  When he succeeds and removes the mask his face has miraculously healed and become “saintly”, such is the power of love.  The story was dramatised into a one act play and in his oil on canvas Orpen set out to create the impression of a late 18th/early 19th century print (€10,000-€15,000).   Viewing at Whyte’s gets underway on September 25 and the catalogue is online.

    TIMELESS AT THE RDS THIS WEEKEND

    Wednesday, September 13th, 2023
    A folding travelling silver chess set

    Made to commemorate the Spassky-Fischer world championship this folding travelling silver chess set will feature at Timeless, the Irish Antique Dealers Fair, which takes place in Dublin’s RDS from September 15-17. Vintage Hub will feature the set, with white pieces made of solid silver and black pieces of silver gilt. All connect into a compact tube to stow away.

    With a mix of antique and contemporary pieces Timeless is an opportunity for collectors of all tastes to explore and discover. This is the 56th holding of the annual Irish Antique Dealers Fair.

    The set when folded

    GALLOP OVER TO LIMERICK RACECOURSE FOR ANTIQUES THIS WEEKEND

    Saturday, September 9th, 2023
    This oil by John Frederick Herring senior will be at Conal Meyler’s stand at the National Antique Fair in Limerick today and tomorrow.

    In terms of antiques, vintage and collectible items Limerick has it all this weekend.  Whether you choose to walk, drive, canter or gallop to Limerick Racecourse it is the place to be for an enormous indoor gathering of the Irish antique trade.Despite the size of the facility organiser Robin O’Donnell has been forced to limit dealer attendance as he is inundated with requests from people wanting to be part of it.The racecourse has proven to be an ideal venue for Ireland’s biggest antiques, art and vintage fair, extremely popular with both dealers and the public.  This is the fourth two day event to be held here by Hibernian Antique Fairs. This time around around 80 dealers will be in attendance.There will be some new faces present at a fair offering a vast range spanning everything from art and antique furniture to jewellery, sculpture, silver, vintage fashion and accessories, glass, porcelain, vintage toys, coins, banknotes, militaria and all sorts of other collectibles.Fairs are the go to place when shopping for antiques.  It is very difficult to maintain an antique shop and the cost of overheads has led to closures.  Retail is struggling in our era.Robin O’Donnell has been running these events since 1988.  The first one was at the former Jurys Hotel on the Ennis Road.  Later it moved to the former Limerick Inn also on the Ennis Road then to the South Court Hotel. There is room for expansion at Limerick Racecourse where upper floors could be made available.  This is likely to be  something that someone younger will have to take on.  New blood is needed to sell old stuff. Robin O’Donnell reckons the time is right for a new generation to bring it to the next level.Treasures Irish Art of Athlone will be among a number of dealers showing art and sculpture, there are various antique furniture specialists and no shortage of jewellery, silver, old Irish glass, porcelain and collectibles as well as Rolex watches, vintage fashion, hats and accessories.  It is a fair with something for everyone with a tremendous range of items across varying price brackets available all weekend.  Opening times are from 11 am to 6 pm today and tomorrow.

    Some opal rings among the baubles at Courtville Antiques

    SEARCHING FOR OTTOMAN ARTEFACTS IN LIMERICK

    Friday, September 8th, 2023

    Among the wide selection available this weekend at the National Antiques Art and Vintage Fair at Limerick Racecourse on September 9 and 10 is a selection of 18th century Ottoman artefacts. The selection at The Tribal Room pictured here includes a Quran holder, Ottoman stirrups, bath clogs with mother of pearl inlay and an old shamshir (a Persian/Iranian sword) in need of restoration. Opening times are from 11 am to 6 pm on both days.

    LAPADA PRE-PROMOTIONAL FAIR SALE

    Thursday, August 31st, 2023
    Secessionist Vase by Loetz Witw

    This Secessionist vase by Loetz Witw is available from Hickmet Fine Arts as part of the LAPADA Berkeley Square Fair pre-promotional sale priced at £2,083. Hickmet Fine Arts, established in 1936 and now in its third generation, exhibits the finest European sculptures and art glass at major antiques fairs in both the United Kingdom and the USA. LAPADA’S membership has grown to over 550 members, making it the largest association of professional art and antiques dealers in the United Kingdom. To celebrate the unparalleled caliber of LAPADA dealers, the pre-promotional sale highlights exhibiting and non-exhibiting members alike, introducing you to some of the finest dealers in the industry. At the upcoming Berkeley Square Fair from September 27 – October 1, visitors can expect to see everything from traditional antiques to contemporary art and design, as well as jewellery, textiles, and decorative arts from over 100 participating galleries.

    TIMELESS FAIR TO RETURN TO THE RDS NEXT MONTH

    Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023
    Memphis Milano Carlton bookcase

    Timeless, the Irish Antique Dealers’ Fair, returns to Dublin’s RDS from September 15-17 with a fascinating blend of contemporary and antique-focused exhibitors. Timeless caters for all ages and tastes. From a rare bookcase beloved and favoured by David Bowie and Karl Lagerfeld to a 400-year-old diamond ring that travelled the Silk Road, unique designs through the ages will be featured as the Fair returns for the 56th time.

    “Each piece is unique and the real joy of Timeless is discovering that something different, the one magical piece that makes a home,” said Garret Weldon, President of the Irish Antique Dealers’ Association. “The best of the past is also best for the future, as our trade is the original sustainable industry and helps the planet through a reduction in manufacturing and waste.

    A 17th century diamond ring, the oldest that has ever been handled by Dublin jeweller JW Weldon, will be spotlighted at the show. The English crafted ring, valued at €3,950, pre-dates the mining era and the stones would have been weathered from the earth and polished rather than cut. The diamonds would have been transported to England via the old Silk Road trade route as there was no shipping route.

    Among many unusual statement items is a rare first edition Memphis Milano Carlton bookcase to be sold in Ireland for the first time by Acquired. Breaking from all traditional materials and rules of design, the Carlton bookcase, valued at €17,000, was in the collections of fashion and rock icons such as David Bowie and Karl Lagerfeld, who were among the first to understand and acknowledge this ground-breaking design.  Designed by Ettore Sottsass for the Memphis Milano group once graced Florence palazzo.

    A 17th century diamond ring.

    ANTIQUE DEALERS ASSEMBLE IN BIRR FOR VINTAGE FAIR

    Saturday, August 5th, 2023
    A vintage Chinese floor vase with hardwood stand

    All the fun of the antique fair moves to the midlands this August Bank Holiday.  Hibernian Antique Fairs, on a reduced schedule this year, will be packed to the rafters with dealers from all over the country at the County Arms Hotel in Birr on August 7 and 8.  More than 30 dealers from all corners of Ireland will be in attendance with everything from antique furniture, art, jewellery, costume jewellery, gold, silver, glass, rugs, coins and banknotes and collectibles. All sorts of treasures to cherish are just waiting to be found.  If you happen to be on the look out for a statement piece then how about a six foot tall mid century Chinese floor vase on its own hardwood stand.  Annamoe Antiques has one in perfect condition with hand painted bird scenes in a landscape. Something smaller?  How about a rare collection of 19th century  enamel and silver Vesta cases by Samson and Morden at Treasures Irish Art of Athlone.

    Costume jewellery

    Wendys Way of Life will bring a selection of costume jewellery at very affordable prices.  They could be stored in a Killarney bog oak trinket box which Robert Delahunty will have available.  He will also bring a silver mounted snuff mull, one of many reminders of the rare old times in Birr right now. The fair coincides with Birr Vintage Week – up and running until August 12 –  now one of Ireland’s longest running festivals in its 55th years with its own claim to be truly vintage.  Right now the Co. Offaly town is awash with exhibitions, music, theatre, street theatre, pop up performers, workshops and exhibitions.

    At the fair you could opt for anything artistic from a metal horse and rider to  paintings by artists like Graham Knuttel and James Brohan to Art Deco figures and Tiffany style lamps at Raymond Byrne’s stand. There will be vintage and antique handwoven Persian rugs and runners and a wonderful collection of Hardy’s fly fishing reels and rods among a very wide range that includes clocks, portrait miniatures, brass bound buckets and lots of different items of the type that add individual style to the homes of collectors big and small.  The climate is changing but for this holiday weekend at least it is set to fair in Birr.

     A metal horse and rider 

    THE ART WORLD DESCENDS ON LONDON RIGHT NOW

    Saturday, June 24th, 2023
    Lady with a fan by Gustav Klimt at Sotheby’s. UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR £85.3 MILLION TO BECOME THE MOST VALUABLE PAINTING EVER SOLD IN EUROPE.

    A late painting by Klimt set to become the most valuable artwork ever sold in Europe, wonderful antique furniture, portraits and exceptional collectibles will make rich pickings for the rich and plenty of eye candy for the rest of us in London in the coming weeks. This is the time of year when the art world descends on the British capital for a variety of major sales, fairs and significant one off events like the re-opening after five years of the world renowned National Portrait Gallery.   Despite some  indications that the global art market might be in slightly hesitant mode right now the London summer season of 2023 is unlikely to disappoint. Lady with a Fan by Klimt at Sotheby’s Modern and Contemporary evening sale on June 27 has an estimate of around €80 million.  The last portrait he painted was still on an easel in the studio at the time of his untimely death in the flu pandemic of 1918. Featuring  an unnamed woman it is described by Sotheby’s as an ever deeper, ever more joyful immersion in pattern, colour and form, filled with the creative exuberance. The auction will offer a strong grouping of portraits with work by artists like Alberto Giacomett and Edvard Munch.

    These c1765 carved mirrors in the Chippendale style are being shown by Ronald Phillips at the Treasure House Fair

    In celebration of the re-opening of London’s National Portrait Gallery last Thursday the dynamism of portraiture across the centuries, redefined by each generation, will again be highlighted at Christie’s sale on June 28.  One of the more contemporary offerings here is Diplomacy I by Lynette Yiadom-Boakye.  Part of the Tate Retrospective which closed last February it depicts a group of suited delegates recalling Marion Kaplan’s photographs of African heads of state at a summit in Uganda in 1967. The artist has created bold new characters for black representation in art. In this imagined portrait Yiadom-Boakye has inserted a single woman, clad in pink.  The sale offers portraits by Frank Auerbach, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Edgar Degas, Lucian Freud and Howard Hodgkin.

      Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, Diplomacy I (2009) at Christie’s. UPDATE: THIS MADE £1,371,000

    The Treasure House Fair, in full swing until next Monday at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, was generated by leading UK dealers after the cancellation of Masterpiece, which cited a lack of overseas exhibitor interest. Treasure House has attracted dealers from France, Switzerland and the US like Geoffrey Diner and Michele Beiny.  There is fine antique furniture from leading UK dealers like Ronald Phillips at this curated global event with distinguished names across a wide range of disciplines.Meantime the city is gearing up for London Art Week which runs from June 30 to July 7 with 53 specialists and expert dealers with museum quality examples of decorative arts, paintings, sculpture and works on paper from antiquity to contemporary. Various galleries will show work by Irish artists like Sir John Lavery, Gerald Leslie Brockhurst (who lived here for a time)  Augustus John and Gwen John as well showcasing artists from Giambologna to Renoir, Picasso and Dora Maar.  The Fine Arts Society will exhibit an enamel by Phoebe Anna Traquair, the Irish born artist who achieved international recognition for her role in the Arts and Crafts Movement in Scotland.  She produced large scale murals, embroidery, enamel jewellery and book illuminations.  On show in London is The Life of the Virgin (1906), three plaques in enamel with foil on copper.

    The Life of the Virgin (1906) by Dublin born Phoebe Anna Traquair is on display at the Fine Arts Society in London.

    TREASURE HOUSE FAIR OPENS IN LONDON

    Thursday, June 22nd, 2023
    A George III Giltwood Settee, almost certainly by Thomas Chippendale. English, c1780 at Ronald Phillips

    This Georgian giltwood settee is among the highlights at the Treasure House fair in London from June 22 to June 26. The inheritor of The Grosvenor House Art & Antiques Fair (1934-2009) and Masterpiece (2010-2022), it brings together more than 50 of the best British and international dealers in a celebration of the rare and the beautiful across numerous disciplines and centuries. Visitors can enjoy a curated outdoor sculpture display on the Royal Hospital lawns before entering the fair’s magnificent tented structure in the South Grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea. There is art, silver, jewellery, rare books, cross-collecting, furniture, furniture, design, sculpture, Asian arts and porcelain of a very high quality on display.

    ANTIQUE FAIR IN LISMORE TODAY AND TOMORROW

    Saturday, June 3rd, 2023
    Some items from Robert Delahunty’s stand

    If the idea of a small antique fair in a beautiful setting floats your Bank Holiday boat then the place to head to this weekend is Lismore.  The good news is that Hibernian Antique Fairs, which has reduced the number of fairs they hold annually, will be at Lismore from 11 am to 6 pm today and tomorrow. Along with an array of antique furniture and silver there will be rarities like fine Oriental rugs from Annamoe Antiques in Co. Wicklow and Killarney wood boxes from dealer Robert Delahunty at the Lismore Opera Festival antique fair.

    Treasures Irish Art of Athlone will be in attendance with an appetising selection and there is plenty of vintage fashion and accessories from dealers like Eily Henry and Wendy’s Way of Life as well as silver and ceramics from Brian Hurley of Kinsale.  Coins, banknotes and collectibles of all sorts can be found.  If Lismore is not on your beat this weekend and you love antique fairs you might like to make note of the fact that the South Dublin antique and vintage fair takes place at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire tomorrow.

     A vintage hat at Eily Henry’s stand