EILEEN GREY – THE TRANSAT CHAIR IN GREY LEATHER (€4,000-6,000)
Danish, Italian and French designer furniture from the 1950’s, ’60’s and ’70’s will feature at the timed online design sale at de Veres which runs until April 28. The auction offers furniture by designers and makers like Eileen Gray, Arne Jacobsen, Eero Saarinen Ico Parisi and contemporary labels including Ligne Roset, Knoll, Fritz Hansen. There is contemporary Irish art by John Shinnors, Barrie Cooke, Charles Tyrrell, Elizabeth Magill, Felim Egan and others. The sale is on view at de Veres.
A rare gold and platinum bow design brooch set with 11 Colombian emerald cabochons of varying size, an estate cabinet from Clonmeen House in Banteer and a re-discovered Roderic O’Conor painting exhibited at the Salon des Independents in Paris in 1904 are among the delights at Fonsie Mealy’s Chatsworth summer fine art sale in Castlecomer on April 29, 30 and May 1.
More than 1,300 lots will come under the hammer, including contents from Clonbrock House, Galway, items once at Castletown and objects from other stately homes in Ireland. There is Georgian and Regency furniture from a commission by Gillows in London for Lord Clonbrock, luxury fashion and jewellery, Irish and international art and a variety of collectibles. An estate cabinet from Clonmeen with numerous pigeon holes was in the collection of Major Stephen Grehan (1895-1972). He fought at the Western Front and at Salonica during World War I and later in Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq). The sale feature more than 450 furniture lots including Gillows furniture from Clonbrock and Castletown. An early rosewood sofa table by Gillows of London and Lancaster dates to around 1801 – the time of the Clonbrock commission – and is estimated at just €1,000-€1,500.
Lot 249 is an Irish 19th century gold cased pocket watch by John Donegan, Dublin and the sale offers a collection of Irish silverware. The auction is on view in Castlecomer from 1.30 pm to 5 pm on April 26 and from 10.30 am to 5 pm on April 27 and 28. The catalogue is online.
An Irish George III estate cabinet from Clonmeen House, Banteer
A pair of George III commodes in the manner of William Moore
From old vellum manuscripts forging the politics of a decade that shaped modern Europe to William Moore style commodes, a landmark achievement in aviation and banshee shrieks that foretold the sudden death of Lord Rossmore in 1801 the breadth of Adam’s Country House Collections sale at Howth Castle next week is astonishing. Every auction tells a story. This one is more storied than most.
Adam’s md Stuart Cole is usually drawn to a fine piece of Georgian furniture or a compelling portrait. This time he was stopped in his tracks by three vellum books. Lot 522 (€7,000-€10,000) comprises the working field books of two successive English envoys of King William III. Operating in northern Germany and the Baltic – one of the most consequential diplomatic postings in late 17th century Europe – they are extraordinary for the density of historic material. According to Cole every name – Nottingham, Marlborough, Rooke, Fagen – is a thread that pulls you deeper into the politics of a decade that shaped modern Europe. “That they have survived at all is remarkable. That they have surfaced here at Howth Castle makes this for me one of the most quietly thrilling lots in the entire auction” he said.
17th/18th century vellum record books from an era that forged modern Europe
No documented furniture by William Moore survives but a small group is attributed to the famous Dublin maker on the basis of a commode made in 1782 for the third Duke of Portland, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. There is an irovy plaque with Moore’s name. Similar pieces are held in museums like the Victoria and Albert in London and the Metropolitan in New York. Lot 463 at Howth is a pair of shaped hardwood and inlaid commodes in the manner of William Moore by descent from the collection of Colonel Edge of Marlay Grange, Rathfarnham and estimated at €15,000-€20,000.
Henry Robert Westenra, third Baron Rossmore, was a notable patron of Dublin artist William Brocas.He commissioned Brocas to paint a series of the Rossmore estate on the outskirts of Monaghan along with family portraits. A portrait by Brocas of Henry’s first wife Anne Douglas-Hamilton, illegitimate daughter of Douglas Hamilton, 8th Duke of Hamilton, was described by Anne Crookeshank and the Knight of Glin as the most distinguished example of his work in this genre. Lot 542 is estimated at €10,000-€15,000. The title of Baron Rosssmore of Monaghan was created in 1796 for General Robert Cuninghame who had fought at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. His passing in 1801 is renowned in Irish folklore as guests including Sir Jonah Barrington heard banshee shrieks shouting Rossmore, Rossmore just before his sudden death.
William Brocas RHA (c1794-1868) – Portrait of Anne Douglas-Hamilton.
The first non stop east west crossing of the Atlantic was completed in April 1928 aboard the Junkers W33 Bremen by an Irish German crew. It left from Baldonnel and battled strong headwinds in a 3,200 mile flight that lasted 36 hours. The crew was celebrated worldwide. They received a ticker tape parade in New York and became the first non Americans to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross, presented by President Calvin Coolidge. Lot 664 is an inscribed Irish brass hilted officers sword presented to co-pilot Major James Fitzmaurice who became commanding officer of the Irish Air Corps at Baldonnel. The estimate is €3,000-€5,000.
Adam’s auction will be online only on May 27 and live and online at Adam’s St. Stephen’s Green on May 28. It is on view at Howth Castle from 11 am to 5 pm on today, tomorrow and Monday. The catalogue is online.
The sword presented to Major James Fitzmaurice, co-pilot of the Junkers W33 Bremen which made the first east-west trans Atlantic Crossing in 1928.
A pair of Irish George II console tables from Adams Country House Collections at Howth Castle sale.
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.
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.
