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    SOME IRISH TREASURES AT MASTERPIECE IN LONDON

    Wednesday, June 24th, 2015

    THERE is Irish treasure to be found at Masterpiece in London.  As well as the Picasso’s, Turner’s and Lowry’s in abundance, the Chippendale pieces, the rarest of timepieces, the Sevres, bronzes and antiquities worth millions, the sixth  edition of this prestigious fair offers a selection of antique Irish furniture, art, collectibles and silver to discriminating collectors with deep pockets.  Masterpiece previews today at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea. Apter Fredericks are displaying the Leinster House cabinets in their current spring catalogue, priced at £325,000 (see post on antiquesandartireland.com for June 3). A first 1922 edition of Ulysses is priced at £250,000 at Peter Harrington.  Signed by James Joyce it is from the first hundred copies printed which are always the most valuable.  The Earl of Drogheda’s silver epergne centerpiece by Robert Calderwood is priced at £85,000 at Koopman Rare Art. Philip Mould has a recently discovered works by Sir John Lavery at £275,000. A thick varnish was removed and the artist had painted out his own signature when he returned at a later date to enhance it. It has now been authenticated.  Masterpiece continues until July 1.  Here are some Irish pieces in the fair:

    Lady Lavery on Horseback - a recently discovered work by Sir John Lavery at Philip Mould priced £275,000.

    Lady Lavery on Horseback – a recently discovered work by Sir John Lavery at Philip Mould priced £275,000. Copyright Philip Mould and Company.

    The Earl of Drogheda's silver eperge by Robert Calderwood at Koopman Rare Art (£85,000).

    The Earl of Drogheda’s silver eperge by Robert Calderwood at Koopman Rare Art (£85,000).

    A c1745 Irish side table at Rolleston (£90,000).

    A c1745 Irish side table at Rolleston (£90,000).

    An Irish George II side table at Frank Patridge (£65,000).

    An Irish George II tea table or silver table at Frank Patridge (£65,000).

    A George II Irish side table at Apter Fredericks (£225,000).

    A George II Irish side table at Apter Fredericks (£225,000).

    An Irish George II oval mirror chandelier at Ronald Phillips.

    An Irish George II oval mirror chandelier at Ronald Phillips.

    DAVID LINLEY TABLE AT CO. CLARE AUCTION

    Saturday, June 20th, 2015
    The maple dining table by David Linley.

    The maple dining table by David Linley.  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    A David Linley dining table is the top lot at Aidan Foley’s summer sale at The Auction Rooms, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare on June 23.  The maple wood table, capable of seating up to 20, was a commissioned piece and will attract international interest.

    Over 1,000 lots will be sold including a Limerick silver spoon by Maurice Fitzgerald, antique furniture, jewellery and Waterford Crystal chandeliers.  There is garden furniture and outdoor effects including a pair of cannons. Other lots of note include a Killarney wood workbox, a Georgian marquetry bookcase, a games table and an extensive array of furniture.  The auction will be live on the internet.

    UPDATE:  The table was unsold but the London trade has expressed an interest.

    A TWO DAY SALE AT SHEPPARDS IN DURROW

    Friday, June 19th, 2015

    The two day sale at Sheppards in Durrow, Co. Laois on Tuesday, June 30 and Wednesday July 1 offers much of interest to collectors.  The auction includes contents from Glenmalire House, Laois.  The catalogue cover lot is a pair of Regency faux bamboo elbow chairs in the Brighton Pavilion manner, estimated at 1,500-2,500.  There are mirrors, artwork, antique furniture including Irish 18th century pieces, Oriental porcelain and furniture, silver and jewellery among more than 1,200 lots. The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection:

    A c1780 carved gilt wood mirror (8,000-12,000).

    A c1780 carved gilt wood mirror (8,000-12,000).  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 7,000 AT HAMMER

    An Irish George III Adam chimney piece (8,000-12,000).

    An Irish George III Adam chimney piece (8,000-12,000).  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    An 18th century Chippendale silver table (2,500-3,500).

    An 18th century Chippendale silver table (2,500-3,500). UPDATE: THIS MADE 2,600 AT HAMMER

    A 19th century Chinese altar table (1.500-2.500).

    A 19th century Chinese altar table (1.500-2.500).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 2,400 AT HAMMER

    Chinese bottle vase (1,200-1,800).

    Chinese bottle vase (1,200-1,800). UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,200 AT HAMMER

    A 1920's British artwork signed with the monogram S.F. - Figures and Fruit in a landscape (8,000-12,000).

    A 1920’s British artwork signed with the monogram S.F. – Figures and Fruit in a landscape (8,000-12,000).  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    MASTERPIECES FROM CHRISTIE’S EXCEPTIONAL SALE

    Wednesday, June 17th, 2015

    With everything from a felt bicorne hat worn by Napoleon in 1807 to a Thomas Chippendale bookcase The Exceptional Sale at Christie’s in London on July 9 offers much of interest. This year’s sale of 61 lots – many with celebrated provenance –  ranges from rare antiquities to modern day marvels. It features outstanding sculpture and masterpieces of European furniture and decorative arts   There is a restored Vickers Supermarine Spitfire Mk.1A – P9374/G-MK1A (£1.5-2.5 million) and a magnificent Luba ceremonial bowstand, attributed to the Master of Warua (£1.5-2.5 million).

    Highlights include five items of Napoleonic memorabilia, including the Emperor’s black felt bicorne hat (£300,000-500,000) and a classical Roman torso of an athlete, previously in the collection of Yves Saint Laurent (£1-1.5 million). The finest examples of English, French and Italian furniture, ormolu-mounted European and Imperial Russian porcelain, silver, clocks and sculpture are expected to bring in more than £14 million. Here is a taste of the auction:

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for April 28, 2015).

    ATTRIBUTED TO THOMAS CHIPPENDALE, CIRCA 1773-75 A GEORGE III SATINWOOD BOOKCASE (£80,000-120,000).

    ATTRIBUTED TO THOMAS CHIPPENDALE, CIRCA 1773-75
    A GEORGE III SATINWOOD BOOKCASE (£80,000-120,000).

    IMPERIAL BLACK FELT BICORNE CAMPAIGN HAT CIRCA 1806, ATTRIBUTED TO POUPART & CO. 'THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON'S HAT WORN DURING THE CAMPAIGN OF 1807' (£300,000-500,000).

    IMPERIAL BLACK FELT BICORNE CAMPAIGN HAT
    CIRCA 1806, ATTRIBUTED TO POUPART & CO.
    ‘THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON’S HAT WORN DURING THE CAMPAIGN OF 1807’ (£300,000-500,000).  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR £386,500

    ATTRIBUTED TO ANDRE-CHARLES BOULLE, CIRCA 1710-1720 A MATCHED PAIR OF LOUIS XIV ORMOLU-MOUNTED AND BRASS-INLAID BROWN TORTOISESHELL BOULLE MARQUETRY AND EBONY PIER TABLES ( £1,200,000 - 1,800,000).

    ATTRIBUTED TO ANDRE-CHARLES BOULLE, CIRCA 1710-1720
    A MATCHED PAIR OF LOUIS XIV ORMOLU-MOUNTED AND BRASS-INLAID BROWN TORTOISESHELL BOULLE MARQUETRY AND EBONY PIER TABLES ( £1,200,000 – 1,800,000).  UPDATE: THESE SOLD FOR £1,082,500

     

    HOWTH HOUSE CONTENTS SALE NEXT SUNDAY

    Wednesday, June 17th, 2015

    More than 580 lots will come under the hammer at a house contents auction in Howth on Sunday, June 21 at 2 pm.  Matthews Auctioneers will offer contents from Longacre, Thormanby Road, Howth with about 50 lots from another Dublin residence. The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection:

    Henry Healy - Towards Howth (300-500).

    Henry Healy – Towards Howth (300-500).

    A pair of Siena marble lamps, each 22" high (400-700).

    A pair of Siena marble lamps, each 22″ high (400-700).

    A Victorian marquetry decorated side cabinet (3,000-5,000).

    A Victorian marquetry decorated side cabinet (3,000-5,000).

    An Irish cut crystal chandelier (700-1,200).

    An Irish cut crystal chandelier (700-1,200).

    A carved gilt wood mirror (500-800).

    A carved gilt wood mirror (500-800).

    COLLECTIBLES AT JAMES ADAM SUNDAY INTERIORS SALE

    Thursday, June 11th, 2015

    A late 19th century French gilt bronze encriers  in the Louis XV style is just one of many collectible objects at the James Adam Sunday Interiors sale in Dublin on June 14.  By Maison Millet it is estimated at 1.500-2,500. A pair of Dublin silver George III loving cups by Matthew West, 1790, is estimated at 3,000-5,000 and a 16th century Japanese Shino Ware vase has an estimate of 1,500-2,500. The 500 lot sale of fine period furniture, silver, paintings and other decorative arts is now on view, and is particularly strong in furniture.  Here is a small selection.  The catalogue is online.

    (See post on antiquesandartireland.com for June 5, 2015).

    A FRENCH GILT BRONZE ENCRIERS IN THE LOUIS XV STYLE, late 19th century, by Maison Millet á Paris (1,500-2,500).

    A FRENCH GILT BRONZE ENCRIERS IN THE LOUIS XV STYLE, late 19th century, by Maison Millet á Paris (1,500-2,500).  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    A 16TH CENTURY JAPANESE SHINO WARE GLAZED POTTERY VASE (1,500-2,500).

    A 16TH CENTURY JAPANESE SHINO WARE GLAZED POTTERY VASE (1,500-2,500). UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,700 AT HAMMER

    A PAIR OF IRISH GEORGE III SILVER LOVING CUPS, Dublin 1790, mark of Matthew West (3,000-5,000).

    A PAIR OF IRISH GEORGE III SILVER LOVING CUPS, Dublin 1790, mark of Matthew West (3,000-5,000).  UPDATE: THESE WERE UNSOLD

    A GEORGE IV INLAID MAHOGANY CYLINDER BUREAU BOOKCASE (2,000-3,000).

    A GEORGE IV INLAID MAHOGANY CYLINDER BUREAU BOOKCASE (2,000-3,000).  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    DESK ATTRIBUTED TO WILLIAM VILE AT JAMES ADAM

    Friday, June 5th, 2015
    LATE GEORGE II MAHOGANY SERPENTINE FRONT GENTLEMAN'S WRITING DESK, circa 1755, attributed to William Vile

    LATE GEORGE II MAHOGANY SERPENTINE FRONT GENTLEMAN’S WRITING DESK, circa 1755, attributed to William Vile  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    An elegantly proportioned writing desk attributed to William Vile is the top lot at the James Adam  Sunday Interiors auction in Dublin on June 14.  The late George II serpentine fronted desk, made c1755, is estimated at 18,000-22,000.

    The sale is particularly strong in fine furniture, which comprise the top seven lots.  A fine Regency circular dining table possibly made by William Trotter of Edinburgh, is estimated at 15,000 -20,000 and an exceptionally well made George IV breakfront bookcase by James Winter & Sons estimated at 10,000 -15,000.

    Though William Vile is considered one of the best English cabinetmakers of the Georgian era his name is overshadowed by Thomas Chippendale.

    GEORGE IV MAHOGANY BREAKFRONT BOOKCASE by James Winter & Sons (10,000-15,000).

    GEORGE IV MAHOGANY BREAKFRONT BOOKCASE by James Winter & Sons (10,000-15,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 9,200 AT HAMMER

    REGENCY MAHOGANY CIRCULAR DINING TABLE (15,000-20,000)

    REGENCY MAHOGANY CIRCULAR DINING TABLE (15,000-20,000)  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

    LEINSTER HOUSE CABINETS AT APTER-FREDERICKS

    Wednesday, June 3rd, 2015
    One of the Leinster House cabinets.

    One of the Leinster House cabinets.

    A pair of corner cabinets designed for Leinster House have surfaced with leading London dealers Apter-Fredericks with a price tag of £250,000 plus.  The exceptionally fine c1775 cabinets, known as encoigneurs, were made for William FitzGerald, 2nd Duke of Leinster.

    Apter-Fredericks say they have only recently come to light, having been in the possession of the FitzGerald family since the late 18th century. They are listed in the firm’s latest catalogue.

    Following the sale of Leinster House to the RDS in 1815 the cabinets were removed to Carton House, home to the Dukes of Leinster until 1949. They are recorded in the ante-room at Carton circa 1887. After Carton they went to Kilkea Castle in Co. Kildare and finally to Ramsden in Oxfordshire.

    Leinster House – home to the Irish Parliament or Houses of the Oireachtas since 1922 –  was built in 1745. By the 1770’s, when it was owned by the 2nd Duke, only the great first floor gallery remained to be completed.  So William FitzGerald commissioned renowned neo-classical architect and designer James Wyatt – who had previously worked with his uncle the 3rd Duke of Richmond – to design the gallery. Wyatt’s designs for the entire room do not exist.  The Penrose Album in the National Library of Ireland contains a watercolour showing an end wall in the gallery.

    A detail of the cabinet.

    A detail of the cabinet.

    Almost all the decorative elements in the room – winged sphinxes, scrolled acanthus and urns – are echoed in the decoration of the corner commodes.   The furniture would have worked together with the door cases and chimney pieces to create a sophisticated neo-classical space.  This reflected the 2nd Duke of Leinster’s interest in the antique art and decoration he had seen while on his Grand Tour in Italy between 1766 and 1768.
    Apter-Fredericks describe the commodes as: A magnificent, museum quality pair of corner cabinets or encoigneurs in satinwood, with purple heart and tulip wood bandings, and inlaid neo-classical designs to the most exceptionally high standard. Furniture of this quality could only have been made by one of a small handful of cabinet makers from this period, namely Mayhew and Ince and Thomas Chippendale.  Apter-Fredericks, Important English Furniture, is at Fulham Road, London SW3.

    A detail.

    A detail.

    A view of the top.

    A view of the top.

    A detail.

    A detail.

    MARIE ANTOINETTE’S ARMCHAIR AT CHRISTIE’S

    Wednesday, May 27th, 2015
    MARIE ANTOINETTE’S EXQUISITE ARMCHAIR FROM THE PAVILLON BELVEDERE (£300,000-500,000).

    MARIE ANTOINETTE’S EXQUISITE ARMCHAIR FROM THE PAVILLON BELVEDERE (£300,000-500,000).  COURTESY CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD., 2015

    Marie Antoinette’s exquisite armchair from the Pavillon Belvedere is among the highlights at Christie’s sale of important French furniture in London on July 9.  The Taste of the Royal Court sale of furniture from a private collection comprises 22 examples of 18th century decorative arts.  The furniture in the sale was created for some of the most celebrated patrons of the 18th century: Queen Marie Antoinette, Duke Albert de Saxe-Teschen, Jean Baptiste de Machault d’Arnouville, Chancelier de France and the Prince de Conti, and subsequently entered such legendary collections as those of the Dukes of Hamilton, the Marquesses of Bath at Longleat and the Comtes de Vogüé at Vaux-le-Vicomte.

    The sale features work by master craftsmen like André-Charles Boulle, Charles Cressent and Adam Weisweiler.  A giltwood fauteuil en bergère supplied to Queen Marie Antoinette for her salon in the Pavillon Belvédère at the Petit Trianon, was part of the most expensive suite of seat furniture ever made for the Queen.  The only armchair from the set known to have survived is estimated at £300,000-500,000.   A bureau plat by Cressent, of which the only other known example is in the Louvre, is estimated at £1-1.5 million. Estimates range from £30,000 to £1.5 million and the collection is expected to make more than £6 million.

    A MASTERPIECE BY CHARLES CRESSENT THIS BUREAU PLAT IS ESTIMATED AT £1-1.5 MILLION) CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2015

    A MASTERPIECE BY CHARLES CRESSENT THIS BUREAU PLAT IS ESTIMATED AT £1-1.5 MILLION) CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD. 2015

    A VASE MADE FOR LOUIS XV'S FINANCE MINISTER (£600,000-1 MILLION)

    A VASE MADE FOR LOUIS XV’S FINANCE MINISTER (£600,000-1 MILLION)  COURTESY CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD., 2015

    THE PRINCE DE CONTI’S PLANETARY CLOCK (£600,000-1 MILLION)

    THE PRINCE DE CONTI’S PLANETARY CLOCK (£600,000-1 MILLION)  COURTESY CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD., 2015

    ANTIQUE FURNITURE AT HEGARTY’S IN BANDON

    Saturday, May 23rd, 2015
    A c1890 French walnut side cabinet with ormolu mounts and brass gallery top is among the antique furniture highlights at Hegarty’s auction in Bandon, Co. Cork on June 26. The sale will include Part II of a Kinsale coin collection with examples from Charles II to modern times.  Highlights from the coin collection include a George III half crown from 1817 (200-300), a George V proof set of six coins from 1927  (200-400) and a George VI Coronation specimen set from 1937 (250-300).

    A late 19th century French walnut and burr walnut side cabinet at Hegarty's (6,000-10,000).

    A late 19th century French walnut and burr walnut side cabinet at Hegarty’s (6,000-10,000).  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD AND IS NOW UNDER OFFER

    19th century mahogany pedestal writing table  (1,200-1,800).

    19th century mahogany pedestal writing table (1,200-1,800).  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 1,450

    A c1890 two door side cabinet (1,000-1,500).

    A c1890 two door side cabinet (1,000-1,500).  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 1,100

    Fifty one Bank of England ten shilling notes (250-350).

    Fifty one Bank of England ten shilling notes (250-350).  UPDATE: THESE SOLD FOR 120